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What is “S2L”?
Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL) has received a multi-year
grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council to provide an
intensive transition program to students ages 14-21 with any type of disability.
It is meant to supplement what the schools are doing in the area of
transition and help to provide support towards the participants ultimate goal of
reaching independent or supportive living.
The program is a comprehensive look into every area of life that may need
support as a student with a disability transitions from a very supportive
environment of school into the real world.
The program includes an Independent Life Coach, mentors who have been through
the transition process, a stakeholder team to help support the participant, same
age peer support, and a person–centered plan of support.
There will be a seminar series that includes topics of learning and
interest and a more intensive summer seminar series, “The Real World Lehigh
Valley.”
What does “S2L” include?
The Participant:
The participant is the
person taking part in the “S2L” program.
Participants with all types of disabilities will be recruited for the program
with an emphasis on diversity. LVCIL will
not discriminate for any reason. There
will be 10-25 participants in the program at any one time.
The participant must meet the following qualifications:
1)
Be between the
ages of 14 and 21
2)
Be a resident of
Lehigh or Northampton counties
3)
Have family
caregiver support
4)
Have a personal
goal to achieve community or supported living
5)
Agree in writing
to take part fully in the S2L program
6)
Recruit and work
with a stakeholders team
7)
Be willing to
choose a mentor from a pool of mentors and work one-on-one with them
8)
Develop a Person-
Centered transition Plan, choose goals to work on and meet and review
progress every 60-90 days
The Mentor:
The mentor is a person with a disability who has been
through their own transition process and will be able to help the participant
with their goals, transition, peer support or whatever the participant might
need. There will be mentor meet and greets to help participants find mentors.
There is also an option for the participant to have same-aged peer support from
someone without a disability who may be going through similar life experience.
Support for Family/Caregivers:
The program is set up not only to have “buy in” from the
families or guardians, but it is also meant to support the families or guardian
as their son or daughter transitions into the real world.
Families will have opportunities to take part in family-to-family support
meetings.
Independent Life Coach:
The ILC is the main facilitator of the “S2L” program and
oversees the day to day operations of the project.
Stakeholders Teams:
The stakeholders team is the team the”S2Ler” brings
together to help him/her devise,
develop, and review goals and plans. This
very important group will meet every 60-90 days to review those goals and plans.
Seminars:
At least monthly there will be different seminars which
will promote topics of independent living. These seminars will be held on
weekends or evenings. Seminars will be
held at LVCIL in Allentown and at other community locations in the Lehigh
Valley. Topics may include: nutrition, personal safety, housing options,
advocacy, etc.
Seminar Series: “Real
World Lehigh Valley”
This will be an intensive 6 week, 2-3 day a week,
6 hour a day conference and skills building workshop where participants
will gain more knowledge and resources surrounding independent living. It will
have a focus on community and be held at various locations in the community. There
will be extra staff to help with the summer project.
How do I get involved with the
program?
You will have to fill out an application and applications
are currently being accepted. You will have to then be interviewed by the
selection committee. Acceptance will be
determined by the selection committee.
For more information about the “S2L” program, if you need
an application, if you have interest in volunteering, leading a seminar on an
independent living topic or becoming a mentor, please call Seth Hoderewski,
Independent Life Coach, at
610-770-9781, Ext 19 or by e-mail at
sethhoderewski@lvcil.org.
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