Developing Our Best Natural Resources – Youth with Disabilities “Empowering Youth with Disabilities to Say I Can!” Panhandle Independent Living Center

Agenda Food for Thought ??????

Overview of Youth Encountering Success or YES program What is YES? Our Goal? Our Objectives? Whom do we serve? Why should an ILC offer a youth specific, youth driven program?

Food for Thought “The latest data shows that students who spend anytime in special education classrooms, regardless of the limitations present, graduate [or age out] high school 6 years behind their peers.” ~ West Texas A&M University Special Education Professor, Dr. Sheryn Johnston

What is YES? A program developed to assist middle and high school youth with disabilities in learning the skills and tools necessary to make healthy decisions as they approach adulthood. It is designed to meet the unique needs that these youth face in their daily lives.

Our Goal PILC staff provide education, information, and a positive environment that empowers youth with disabilities to make positive life choices for themselves.

Our Objectives To engage young people in educational activities that will enhance their life experiences and help them realize their dreams. To allow these adolescents to interact with positive role models who have overcome barriers or challenges to live productive, successful lives.

To incorporate fun activities into a curriculum that stresses the importance of independence for these youth. To establish positive peer relationships that will guide these individuals in their transition from school to community.

Whom do we serve? Our youth participants range in age from 12 to 21. They must also be a student in middle or high school. Students are allowed to remain in our program for one last summer of activities following their graduation from high school.

Why youth? We believe this goal is best achieved at a younger age before complacency and dependency has set in and become a way of life. Young adults are more receptive to the message of Independent Living than the majority of adult consumers we currently serve.

Why an ILC? An ILC provides a perfect location because: ILC core services provide valuable skills training and opportunities at a young age. The IL philosophy, the history, and culture of the disability community are valuable lessons for any person with a disability.

Your staff and board members provide an excellent source for positive role models. They exemplify the lifestyles of independent individuals who have overcome their own obstacles and have learned how to “work around” or limit the impact of their own limitations.

Curriculum The origin and history of the disability rights movement Basic communication skills training Basic Leadership / self-advocacy training Career planning / Workplace skills Cooking / Shopping skills Assertiveness / Self-esteem building / Empowerment Activities

Behavior skills Money management skills Personal safety skills Household skills Social skills Survival skills Recreational skills Community skills

Educational Delivery Methods Peer Counseling Provide individual or group discussions on an area of need or interest (i.e., overcoming obstacles)

Hands-on IL / Life Skills Training Cooking, Money Management, Personal Hygiene, etc.

Educational Field Trips provides opportunities for community integration, practice with money management skills, proper behavior, and use of social skills

Motivational / Informational Speakers Invite local community members in to share their stories and information (i.e., DARS counselors, allied agency personnel, and individuals who wish to share their personal triumphs over adversity)

Role Playing Scenarios Choose a topic and role play the incorrect and then proper way to handle a situation (i.e., handling a stranger, traveling safely on city bus)

Team Building Exercises Divide the students in small groups with a team task to encourage leadership, compromise, working together and completing a project.

Group Dynamics A word of caution safety precautions and procedures should be in place to protect all participants.

Remember that your program is always a work in progress. New students, new situations, and new environments will cause the need to readjust your guidelines from time to time. Always keep the benefit of the whole group in mind when making a decision.

Rules to Live By Never impose the limitations or behavior of 1 participant on to the others. Protect the integrity of your program and its sponsors by utilizing a specific assessment procedure, intake process, and participant selection criteria.

If you are unable to serve all students that apply Be prepared to provide referrals to appropriate agencies Be prepared to offer individual services Remember that if the student is not ready for the youth program it is doubtful they will be ready to participate adult group activities.

Group Dynamics – A Final Thought “What is popular is not always right. What is right is not always popular.” ~ Unknown

Resources Building Youth Mentoring Programs – Community Toolbox htm htm Partners for Youth with Disabilities Foundations of Successful Youth Mentoring: A Guidebook for Program Development df df

Building Relationships A Guide for New Mentors ublication.pdf ublication.pdf Ten Tips to Mentoring Youth with Disabilities Tips%20to%20Mentoring%20YWD.pdf Tips%20to%20Mentoring%20YWD.pdf Group Work A Counseling Specialty by Samuel T. Gladding (4 th Edition)

Need Technical Assistance? Contact Panhandle Independent Living Center 1118 S. Taylor Amarillo, TX Phone: Fax: