ERIC EJ903035: Helping Students toward Independence: The STEPS Program at USDB

2010·3.8 MB·English

by  ERIC

helping students

toward independence: — Sxtiminirins
the steps program at usdb Qasoatanen

By Kimbo. Sle rogrmietuctionl progr

ah Schools for the Deaf and che Blind (USDB) serves students
with varying abilities and needs. At che high school level,
range of eransition services is required to help this diverse group
of students prepare for life after high school. Thre years ago,
‘USDB established the STEPS program as part ofthis range of services. STEPS.
isa enining and transition progeam geared toward students 16-21 years of
‘age. Ic allows them to learn and practice real-life skills that will help chem
become contributing members of cheie community.

STEPS is dignd fo higher functioning o moderately dsl seadens
‘who are planing vo tansition a independen living upon exiting the
progam, Seudenscreodly ened have vase fcisbilites,
Including « misture of deafness, blindes, ld cognitive delay, ot
‘mild physical limieatons Gens with severe dabilies who would
‘oboe fom college preparation planning, losin ea, or
‘acer letening oppertunitis donot participate in his program. These
‘scudent benefit from diferent ype of aston planning and ate
‘rene uafeed to severe distiliyprogeams dhoughour the
sae)

‘The Conoopt

“The STEPS program concept wat developed ove several eat by Tro
ouch’ esidenialpogran/edvcatinal pogram deco foe USDB' Deal
"North Division, using eign! idee and components fom tunscon programs
nuionwie, evel key conceps were adaped fn the Tess Schoo fe the Blind ransiion

plan, Curia ued inthe program inclade Rubric for Tsien: For Higher Fncon Ph ca oft Safe
‘Seadenrs, Rubs foe Tania I: For Seadents with Moderate Disabilities, nd Cooking © Defatted

Learn FL,

‘Transition Planning and

Enrollment in STEPS
‘Onor bere each USDB sradent’s 16H bred, easton panning begin in earnest.
‘Specials or teachers interview the student to detemine euctional, ret, ad fe
gous; chisincindes a complete invetoy of interest and talents. Bach seen’ level of
prepares for independent ving ils asessd. The ldividalied BAvcaion Progam
(GE) team then meet to begin sting goals and pannng fo ransiion based on the
lnrerviews ao iventoces completed peice othe meetings. Seales ad chee unis
‘rekey members ofthe IBP vam and dlscss where the see themselves (or tele in
‘he fur. The TEP eum writes the ernscon plas and goals ore tat vision, Series

senaune 2010 comer
Planning to Exit
aang the ase years of USDB

195 pera or beter on the life
shilleveacory, they gradateinto
“USDB Aparement Living." Sadens a this vl of easton
live independenely on campus in daemiery apartments with 24-
‘our sf eal fr aitance ding she week On weekends,
the sparemens ae unsperrited, br sal member are aailble
‘on campus fo fverhou hfs Bday and Saarday veings and
‘eff rember ion cl forthe ret of he weekend in eof
emergency. In orto pascpee in the weekend unsupervised
ogee cet eve a cles end procdoes packet
sel egn abe conrc. Ths f shor pets of
Independence wih tf tit an imporane sep beloee
stents easton to independent vig.

[Neate end ofthe ime wth USDA, sadens move ff
anspes int prowp cr subd! honing eel ep Br Scion
S vouchers if appropiate. These sade eajoy minimal
sepevison fom prog sal a inladea dally vise or
‘ehoduled phone all ach evening. O8-amps resident aio
tar 9 szend independent living canes on campus cach
sfeznon, At dent tation comple out of USDB
services and move iam independenehoasing, USDB hasta
(Open Hoasem gather frie and eel appliances hat
‘came the propery af the rodents. Thiallos the odets
to art out wih the exes and eo fous on jo and petal

Earty Signs of Success
“The STEPS program wa ierodoced ito the USDB cuticlame
dhvog the 2006-07 schoo yet and ei showing great promise
with progeeive sent ccomes. Claris Reed, oe of he
fie STEPS sudens, isan aly succes soy Sh easing
program completion and attending che locl applied wechalosy
college seuying set neta tues. Claris complete the
supervised coeage rogram andi curently lig oa her own
in he community. She works put tme othe USDB esdential
gam when ae ane a coals she actly ob hunting
sd preparing fr il-sine employment afer graduation
(Claris is acoenfily budgeting her time and money co meet
oneiteents al hat leaed alutble communication il to
‘wk with the outside wold She earning trnsporsation,

making appoincment, nd using idephone and video ry
"Nineteen snes curently aria in the STEPS program,

cach wth nidal gol fr succes nd persoalized

‘easton plan. When eae exit USDB, he gale

hve them setup in home, employed nd completly ready

foe independence. We lock Forward watching ou sadents

progres a chey ener the wold and we chee hil fe the big

seep ahead of dem in ie

comer