Community Living and Learning Program
The Community Living and Learning Transition Program serves young adults who are 18-22 years old. Traditionally, the students participating in this program have been part of the District’s life skills support program or autistic support program throughout their educational tenure in GVSD and are eligible to receive special education services from the District until they are 22 years old. These students choose to defer their high school diploma so that they may continue to work on their transition goals and related objectives in their Individual Education Plans. Coordination and planning for transition into the adult world occurs in consultation with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the Delaware County Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD).
This program emphasizes fostering independence, enhancing life skills, applying functional academic knowledge, and offering a fiscally responsible approach to special education. Here's why such a program is important:
Fostering Independence: The program provides a structured yet flexible environment where young adults with special needs can practice and enhance their independence with independent living skills. Through guided experiences, students learn to navigate real-world situations, make decisions, and manage their daily lives with greater autonomy. This empowerment is critical for their self-confidence and future success.
Applying Functional Academic Skills and Daily Leisure Activities: Transition programs enable students to apply the functional academic skills they've learned in a practical context. Whether managing finances, understanding public transportation, or using technology, the program bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, ensuring that students are better prepared for adult life. Students are taught how to select and engage in leisure activities with peers.
Learning Real-Life Skills in the Community: By integrating learning experiences within the community, students gain practical skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to their lives. This includes shopping for groceries, accessing public services, participating in community events, and how to go about securing employment. Such exposure not only enhances their life skills but also promotes social inclusion and community engagement.
Fiscal Responsibility: From an economic perspective, investing in a Community Living and Learning Transition Program is a fiscally responsible choice for the district. By equipping students with special needs with the skills to live more independently, the program can reduce long-term costs associated with adult care and support services. Furthermore, by fostering employability and participation in the workforce, the program contributes to the economic well-being of the community and reduces reliance on social welfare systems.
Garnet Valley’s Community Living and Learning Transition Program represents a comprehensive approach to special education, focusing on the holistic development of young adults with special needs. By prioritizing independence, practical skill application, community integration, and fiscal efficiency, the program benefits not only the students themselves but also the broader community, making it an invaluable addition to the district's educational offerings.
