Specialized Schools prepare students for working life
To the question of how District 214 Specialized Schools prepare students for success, the short answer is: In too many ways to count or enumerate.
Among the more compelling, however, is the way in which the life program serves students from ages 18 to 22 with intellectual disabilities. Under the broader umbrella of District 214’s Specialized Schools, life’s goal is to equip these students to transition into working life at age 22.
“Our job is to assess where students’ skills and interests are, to develop goals and to give them experiences that will allow them to attain postsecondary employment,” explains Valerie Norris, Specialized Schools principal.
Through partnerships with community partners and prospective employers, District 214’s Vocational Lab is equipped to simulate actual workplace situations, from watering and caring for plants to organizing retail displays or operating laundry machines.
Then there is Forest Brew, a coffee shop at the Forest View Educational Center that is staffed by Specialized School students to serve District 214 employees. Forest Brew now features new, more sophisticated equipment, which lets students prepare the lattes and espressos they might serve in a commercial setting.
The Vocational Lab allows students to explore what field they are attracted to and then to extrapolate and develop the skills needed to be successful before they are gradually introduced into an actual workplace.
“Traditionally we know that people with intellectual disabilities lag far behind in having meaningful work,” says Jack O’Neal, associate principal for life and The Academy at Forest View Statistically. “Only around 30 to 35 percent of people with disabilities have employment. That’s not because they can’t work; it’s because they’re not working.
We’re flipping the script on that in transition programs in District 214, particularly the life program.”
Through the training offered in the Vocational Lab, some students will find paid work in coffee shops. Others in food or laundry services. Or mail sorting and delivery. Some in retail. Others in food service.
D214 life program graduate lands full-time manufacturing job
When Dan Soto landed a full-time manufacturing job, he was making much more than critical parts for various machines—he was also making a major positive change in his life.
Soto, who participated in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program at John Hersey High School, was part of the District 214 life program for almost three years. Despite his hearing challenges, he was able to gain interdependence and manufacturing skills with the assistance of the life program, which provides transitional services following high school.
“Dan is probably one of the nicest and most genuine students that I have had,” said Katie Termion, his case manager. “He’s a hard worker, and he’s very aware of others and their feelings.”
Termion said that while students have been hired in part-time positions and volunteer experiences, it is unusual for a student to be hired for a full-time position while in the Life program.
“Dan has been a smashing success,” Termion said, pointing out that he was offered a full-time manufacturing job with insurance and a 401(k) plan.
“He’s trying to be better and better,” said Dan’s father, Celso Soto, about his son’s manufacturing work. “I am so happy with this program. His life has changed.”
In addition to learning new job skills, Celso said his son is more motivated in general now, developing new hobbies such as running.
In the life program, which currently has an enrollment of 110, students spend half of the day in the classroom and the other half participating in volunteer vocational experiences, often with a job coach from District 214. Program training includes daily living and communication skills, work-based learning and personal management.
Dan received on-the-job experience through the life program at Keats Manufacturing Co., a Wheeling-based company that makes precision metal parts for vehicles, airplanes and more. Based on his work, the company decided to hire Dan for a full-time position.
“They realized what a valuable employee he would be,” said Jack O’Neal, with the District 214 life program, adding that Keats Manufacturing has been very supportive of the District’s students over the years. Other Life program partnerships include healthcare, hospitality and retail businesses.
Dan also received support from Julie Lee, his American Sign Language interpreter throughout his time in the life program.
“We helped him with [building his life skills], but this is all coming from him,” said Termion, who added that Dan’s strong work ethic and character got him where he is today.
