Woodburn School District helps bridge the gap to those with disabilities

Woodburn School District helps bridge the gap to those with disabilities


District took over the Bridges Program from Willamette ESD

By: Lindsay Keefer
 
http://www.woodburnindependent.com/news/2010/September/12/Education/woodburn.school.district.helps.bridge.the.gap.to.those.with.disabilities/news.aspx
 
WOODBURN — A fairly new program through the Woodburn School District is bridging the gap between school and the real world for young adults with disabilities.

The Bridges Program, which is starting its third year, transitions 18- to 21-year-old young adults with disabilities into independent living and the working world.

This year, the program, which used to be run by the Willamette Education Service District, is being run by the school district.

The name is derived from the transition process.

“We’re trying to bridge that gap so it’s not this giant leap, they’re not totally on their own trying to navigate confusing agencies and groups,” said Jennifer Spencer-Iiams, director of student services for the district.

“We’re trying to help them have a more positive and confident transition to their next phase in life.”

According to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), any student that hasn’t received a standard diploma and fits in that age group is eligible for the program, reaching 11 categories of disabilities.

“Another part of that law says that we need to provide transition services once they’re 16, to start planning for what comes next and helping them prepare,” said Spencer-Iiams.

“It’s really hard for families. When they’re in school, everything is centralized, but when they’re out of school, they have to deal with agencies and brokerages and they have to be educated about what’s out there.”
Bridges helps families find and connect with resources in the community and helps students develop or connect with job skills.

“That looks different, depending on the student,” Spencer-Iiams said. “Some are very capable but maybe they need help getting their foot in the door, and others need a lot of basic support on the job site.”

One way, vocationally, Bridges students have been supported is through a collaboration with the district.

She said when they first started the Bridges Program, they were looking for “meaningful work” and one avenue was helping the district with the refurbishing of science kits.

She said the collaboration has turned into a win-win situation, with the Bridges students gaining working skills while the district saves money.

“The amount of work is on their individual plan and what works for them,” Spencer-Iiams said.

“It’s always from that perspective. There are so many opportunities. Putting a certain number of cups in the bag can be meaningful. It’s based on their individual goals, things that will translate to the working world.”

Bridges also helps students with independent living and offers support for recreation leisure and social time.

“At high school, there’s a lot of built-in social group time,” Spencer-Iiams said.

“Suddenly they’re only in the workplace and they sometimes struggle with recreation and social peer groups. We help them with activities … planning a party, card games. Someone might be very sociable but needs help on how to establish appropriate behavior.”

The program, which is currently run during the day out of a three-bedroom apartment at Cascade Meadows Apartments, is looking to move its location downtown.

“One of the reasons we want to move to a location downtown is there are lots more opportunities for recreation,” Spencer-Iiams said. “(The current site) is further away from some community things, but it would be great to just be able to practice going to a store or restaurant or take a class at Chemeketa (Community College).”

The program is run by Charlotte Hazel, three instructional assistants and a recreation leisure specialist, Kathy Schnebly.

“(Charlotte) has a passion for transition-age youth,” Spencer-Iiams said. “That’s her specialty and she’s great at it.”

She said professional development is better now that Woodburn has taken charge of the program.

“The teacher participates in professional development with other special education teachers. She’s more connected so she knows the students before they come into the program,” Spencer-Iiams said.

There are currently 18 students in the program from Woodburn, North Marion, Gervais and Mt. Angel school districts.

“Each year we’re getting more kids and expanding the range,” Spencer-Iiams said.

She said there has been nothing but positive feedback from the students and their families.

“They see the confidence and the skills that their students gain in that setting,” Spencer-Iiams said.

“Traditional school was always really hard for them. Here we can really just create a plan that’s all about them, it’s very individualized. … I look at what we were doing for students before and what we’re doing now — the amount of time in the community, the independent skills they’ve gained and they have better connections, resources and vocational opportunities.”