Another school year is underway. It's hard to believe. The community work exploration program began today, with a group heading out to the Sisters of St. Joseph's Mother House. New exciting things are underway. I will be keeping you informed as things develop. Transition meetings will be scheduled for those graduating, ASAP. There are still many unanswered questions as to what the future of adult services may hold. I have been attending information meetings and will share any information as I get it. The community exploration program has started today. We are pleased to welcome Susan Cobbina as our new full time job coach. She has most recently come from Idaho and is a certified Special Education teacher. As employment is the goal for all students, teachers are learning to infuse CDOS standards into their teaching. CDOS stands for Career Development and Occupational Studies. CDOS was included in the initial New York State Standards but took a backseat for a while in favor of ELA and the other academic based standards. Those of us in transition are delighted to see the focus return, as these are the skills that will help the students be better prepared for employment. Jennifer Cacioppo, Transition Specialist, RSE-TASC; presented staff with a 3-day training on the CDOS standards. Jennifer is also providing technical assistance to our transition program in order to continue to provide excellent services. Clinicians and teachers are using the brand new ADL room to assist students in gaining those skills that will lead to independence in adult living. The entire school is putting their energies into the LIVE, LEARN, EARN areas of life!

Stepping Stones Learning Center

Stepping Stones Learning Center has been one of our community job exploration sites since last summer. This site gives our students an opportunity to assist in classrooms and do custodial work. For the last year, Cameron, who has identified this as an interest, has been working as a custodian in the school. He has to take out the garbage from the classrooms, refill paper towels and other items in the bathrooms and any other tasks that are asked of him. Andrew, who attended Stepping Stones as a young child, Danyel and Ashlee have been working in classrooms, helping out with snacks, arts and craft projects and spending time with the children as they play. Don Sinton, Coordinator of Public Relations and Development, and his staff have been most accommodating. Our students and job coaches, Kari Thompson and Stephanie Rice have always felt welcomed. Last week when the group arrived, they were greeted by this lovely display, highlighting our students. Thank you Stepping Stones for making our experiences unforgettable!

stepping stones - slideshows

Joan Michaelree, the Vocational Evaluator for SHC and I attended the New York State APSE Conference in Lake Placid. “APSE is the only national organization with an exclusive focus on integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities. APSE is a growing national non-profit membership organization, founded in 1988 as the Association for Persons in Supported Employment, now known as APSE. (taken from the APSE web site) It was a wonderful, informative two days. The overall message was “all people can and should work” There were presentations on transportation, funding, iPad apps and New York State policies. The key note speaker, Joe Marrone, was the kind of guy who “walked the walk” and “talked the talk”. It was evident that he believed in the philosophy that everyone can work and had a no-nonsense approach to making it happen. The state is questioning adult placements, such as day habs. A person who has the ability to work is strongly encouraged to do so. Transitional Day Habs, which work to prepare individuals for work, generally have a goal of getting a person into supported employment within 18 months. This type of day hab is becoming more available. It is clear that students need preparation to be successful in employment. Families can talk to their young children about what they want to do when they grow up. We all need to embrace the philosophy that we are preparing ALL students for employment. Preparing students with disabilities for employment is a team effort. Families, teachers, service coordinators and adult agencies all play an important role in this process. For more information on APSE, visit the web page: http://www.apse.org/

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It's hard to believe that it's February. The school year is more than half over, where did the time go? The Transition Staff has been busy attending conferences on the New York Initiative, Employment First. There has been a lot of information on work incentives as well as supported-work options. Holy Childhood is looking at different ways we can jump on board. Transition Meetings began in January. This is a great time to meet with the team, especially the student and family, to brainstorm as to how we can plan for the future. It also provides time to develop IEP goals that relate directly to this plan. We have started the second half of the internship program. Some students have chosen to remain at the site in which they have been interning. All of the students were asked for their input and their choices were honored as much as possible. We have opened yet another Walgreens. This Walgreens is in Chili on Paul Road. Walgreens is a proponent for hiring persons with disabilities. If you get a chance check out their web site: http://www.walgreens.com/topic/sr/disability_inclusion_workplace.jsp There are a couple of other exciting things in the works and we'll be talking about them here!

The time is flying by so fast. I guess time really does fly when you're having fun! The community work exploration program (SWIP) is going well. We have added Walgreens, Greece; Stepping Stones Learning Center; and our friends, The Generosity Store. This has enabled us to place students in areas more aligned with their interests. A special "Shout-out" goes to Walgreens. We have had students interning at the Henrietta Walgreens. The manager was very pleased with the program, so much so that when she was transferred to the Greece Store, she called and said she would like to begin a program there. Walgreens is a great supporter of hiring persons with disabilities. Watch the film and see for yourself! Parents, of the graduating students, are already firming up plans for their students once school ends. There are several definite placements. Students will have opportunities to try out their future plan, beginning in January. We are always looking for new sites, if any one knows of a business that would allow us to place students (with a job coach), please let us know.

Summer School is flying by. It’s hard to believe that July is almost over.



It has been an exciting summer for Transition. The community internship program has continued. There are students at JoAnn Fabrics, Walgreens, The SSJ Mother House, Stepping Stones and Thrifty Shopper. In addition to the community sites, students are working in Food Service through the student lunch program, washing cars, gardening and some students are learning about clerical work.

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Another very exciting program that is running this summer is Junior Achievement, http://www.ja.org/ Holy Childhood has been chosen to pilot a Junior Achievement Program for students with developmental disabilities. Joan Michaelree and Diane Gyle have been working, since January, with local representatives of Junior Achievement to choose curriculums and lessons appropriate for our students. There are presently two classes, one group is learning about the community and the other class is studying work. Kevin Judge, Sue LoCoco, Maria Carrone and Gabriella Rood have graciously volunteered their services to teach the lessons. Beth Looby and Laura Parmiter are the two supporting teachers.


There are other exciting things on the horizon. Check back to keep up on what’s happening!