Preparing Students with Disabilities for Post Secondary Success

Students in MHS’s Transition Academy Program have significant, complex disabilities that impact all areas of their lives. Many have multiple disabilities and severe receptive and expressive language deficits. Currently, some of these students are in complex jobs, such as service dog training and real estate offices, while others are shredding documents and copying in school offices. District Job Coaches understand how to do the jobs from an adult perspective, but to be most effective, they need training in how to appropriately and spontaneously develop, modify, prompt, and support students so they become increasingly independent and appropriately challenged. This grant will provide funding for district staff to work with ARC Westchester, a local leader in supported employment in Westchester County. Transition Counselor and Job Coaches will be trained in the areas of vocational skills assessment, soft employment skills and the art of job coaching from professionals. Training will consist of monthly on-site instruction and support in both the school setting and community work-based learning sites, as well as two professional development days.

Grantees: Nora Mazzone, Jennifer Monaco