I want to pass on info about a great new post-secondary program for young adults with intellectual disabilities here in Virginia. It is called ACE-IT and it is starting this coming spring at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. I am very excited to see Virginia taking another step forward with this program. The deadline to apply is Sept. 30th so any interested families need to act very quickly!! It is a 30 month program and VERY reasonably priced. As far as I can tell, it is a commuter program so that may be disappointing for those who live further out from the Richmond area. Their goal is to also start the program in 2 community colleges, so that will make it accessible to many more families. It also has a part-time work component which is super. You can email me for the application here and I'll send you the attachment. Or you can email the program directly for more info here. Thanks to Renee Wilson, Daniela's terrific job coach at Gloucester High School for the info!
Daniela had a second very productive week at Shepherds College. She is settling in, making friends and learning all the ropes to being successful at the program. It's been challenging for her and she has faltered a little, but is trying very hard and we are so proud of her efforts to be brave with all of the new challenges facing her. The staff has been so supportive in helping the students to adjust to new expectations. Daniela told me she "LOVES" the college and her new friends. She especially loves her "Intro to Culinary Arts" classes. She told me last night she misses us, but does not really feel homesick anymore! (Yah!) You go, Daniela! - oh - and don't forget to do your homework and your chores!!
The college just posted new photos of the students today in some sort of group exercises in the gymnasium. You will notice Daniela proudly wearing her Shepherds t-shirt, obviously having fun. You can see the photos on Shepherds College Facebook page . Thank you Susan Griffis, member of the Shepherds staff and dear friend, for taking and posting them! (I kind of bugged her a little about posting some - she wanted to wait until the students got over some their new student anxieties before she started shoving a camera in their face ( my choice of words here, not hers!) As always, the staff is always thinking with kindness!) She picked a perfect time to take photos. The students were very involved in their activity and having too great a time to be worried about photos! (photo of Daniela!)
Have a great week everyone! Enjoy the photos!
all the best,
Tina
Daniela had a second very productive week at Shepherds College. She is settling in, making friends and learning all the ropes to being successful at the program. It's been challenging for her and she has faltered a little, but is trying very hard and we are so proud of her efforts to be brave with all of the new challenges facing her. The staff has been so supportive in helping the students to adjust to new expectations. Daniela told me she "LOVES" the college and her new friends. She especially loves her "Intro to Culinary Arts" classes. She told me last night she misses us, but does not really feel homesick anymore! (Yah!) You go, Daniela! - oh - and don't forget to do your homework and your chores!!
The college just posted new photos of the students today in some sort of group exercises in the gymnasium. You will notice Daniela proudly wearing her Shepherds t-shirt, obviously having fun. You can see the photos on Shepherds College Facebook page . Thank you Susan Griffis, member of the Shepherds staff and dear friend, for taking and posting them! (I kind of bugged her a little about posting some - she wanted to wait until the students got over some their new student anxieties before she started shoving a camera in their face ( my choice of words here, not hers!) As always, the staff is always thinking with kindness!) She picked a perfect time to take photos. The students were very involved in their activity and having too great a time to be worried about photos! (photo of Daniela!)
Have a great week everyone! Enjoy the photos!
all the best,
Tina
It was great to see the students on the halfcourt and in the dining hall.
ReplyDeleteAnd then there was Shepherds Bingo!
Educations for children with disabilities are in chaos for the world. This is good news that Virginia has taken a step towards independence for children with disabilities, and promising to include children with disabilities in all educational programs. Great to see Daniela’s success. We are very proud of Daniela’s efforts to be brave with all new challenges for her. The educations of disabled children are offered a wide range of service models, ranging from segregation to full inclusion in the conventional classroom. Sown in the field of inclusive education in a society where people with disabilities have very limited possibilities to combine. This means that the task will be tough.
ReplyDeleteDaniela I miss u so much I wish u would message me again like before it been lonely without for two months and last year I am worried about u I am sad I feel like u hate me please talk to me again from ur boyfriend Devin I love u so much
ReplyDelete