1. Elmhurst Life Skills Academy at Elmhurst College
Learning for a Lifetime
Developing a Career Strand for Students with Developmental Disabilities
Elmhurst Life Skills Academy
at Elmhurst College
Good morning!
Thank you for attending!
My name is Kristin Boxall, and I am a Career Development Coach for Elmhurst Life Skills Academy at Elmhurst College. Elmhurst College is in in Elmhurst, IL. We are located about 20 miles West of Chicago.
Elmhurst College is a private liberal arts college with about 3000 students.
Many students with developmental and learning disabilities have the desire to go to college, but may not be ready or able to fully participate in a traditional college program. Elmhurst Life Skills Academy (ELSA) is a viable option for students that learn differently. ELSA provides young adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to participate in a college-like program in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Our students have to complete mandatory work assignments as part of the various career courses they take during their time in the ELSA program. It is my job to find local businesses and organizations to host our students in a variety of work situations.
This is my colleague, Rob Graber. He is a Job Coach for the ELSA program.

2. www.elmhurst.edu/elsa Kristin Boxall ELSA Career Development Coach
Learning for a Lifetime
Kristin Boxall
ELSA Career Development Coach
Rob Graber, Educational and Job Coach

3. Objectives of this session
Gain knowledge of the key areas of Elmhurst Life Skills Academy (ELSA) and their importance
Identify the various components to the ELSA career strand and learn about steps taken to develop this strand
Obtain an understanding of the various types of work experiences in which students can participate
Identify how supportive employment, job coaching, and mentoring can play a role in the success of various working experiences
Learn how to implement various components of a career program for young adults with developmental disabilities
We have a lot of information to share with you this morning. Before we get started, I wanted to go over the Learning Objectives for today’s session.
Go through objectives.
Rob and I have put aside 15 minutes at the end for questions. So, if you have a question, please write it down and you can ask it at the end. If we are running ahead of schedule in our presentation, we can stop and take a few questions then as well.

4. What is Elmhurst Life Skills Academy (ELSA)?
Four-year college-like program
For young adults with learning and/or developmental disabilities
Minimum third grade reading and math levels
Motivated and wanting to “go to college”
Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
35 students--ages range from 18 to 29 years old
Pre-determined curriculum
Most students commute
Certificate of Completion at graduation
Inclusive graduation ceremony
We are in our 5th year and will have our second graduating class May 2010!
Collaboration with Ray Graham—Monarch Program
Students living in apartments in Elmhurst, IL
Learning for a Lifetime

5. The ELSA Class of 2009!

6. What are the key areas of the ELSA program?
Academics (5 strands in curriculum)
Social and recreational experience
Career exploration and work experience
Rob, Would like to present this information to the group?

7. ELSA Key Area Number 1
Academics

8. 5 Academic Strands Literacy Social Issues Independent Living
Math/Technology/Science
Career

9. Educational Coaching All students have access to Educational Coaching
Designed to assist individual students with planning, organizing, and completing assignments with assistance for Educational Coaches
Coaches are Elmhurst College students
Coaching is available 2 hours per week
Group setting
One-to-one assistance if needed

10. Freshman Coursework Exploration of Self and Campus
Introduction to College Life
Social Issues and Diversity
Reading and Writing Strategies
Introduction to Computers
Life Skills and Healthy Living I
Career Exploration and Development
Community and Citizenship Social Issues
Differentiating Literacy Skills
Oral Storytelling and Mathematics

11. Sophomore Coursework Life Skills and Healthy Living II
Career by Design
Interpersonal and Relationship Skills
Narrative and Expository Writing
Concepts and Strategies of Math
Managing Everyday Stress and Anxiety
Careers and Community Skills
Societal Issues/ Self Determination
Application of Literacy Skills to Workplace
Introduction to Biology

12. Junior Coursework Focus on Nutrition, Health and Cooking
Career Development and Planning
Investigation to Social Issues
Rhetoric and Advocating
Geography: Passport to the World
Planning for Independence
Career Development: Work in the Community
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
The Art of Literacy
Advanced Computer Skills/ Financial Smarts

13. Senior Coursework Focus on Future Planning Career Internship I
Service Learning Exploration
Business Communications I
Computers in the Workplace
Getting Hired: Internship II
Backpack to Briefcase
Service Learning Capstone Project
Portfolio Development/ Computer Skills
Business Communications II

14. Elmhurst College has a January Term
9 hours a week for 4 weeks
Seniors work in Internships during January
Courses for other students include
Individual Focus I
Images to Communication
Multicultural Living in Today’s Society

15. Social and Recreational Experiences
ELSA Key Area Number 2
Social and Recreational Experiences

16. Social and Recreational Experiences
Peer Mentor Program consisting of Elmhurst College and ELSA students
Committee meeting each week
Plans social and recreational activities
Promotes decision making, planning, and leadership skills for ELSA students
Students can join clubs, attend games, etc.
Builds social network especially with typical Elmhurst College students

17. Career exploration and work experience
ELSA Key Area Number 3
Career exploration and
work experience
Career Exploration and work experience is the last and most important in my opinion area of the ELSA program. I will present to you more specific information about the career courses and the work components to each course. We will also touch on job our program uses job coaches to help students become independent in the work place.

18. Freshmen Career Courses
Description
Introduction to
College Life (Fall)
Designed to introduce students to promote success in college. Focus on goal setting and motivation, learning styles, life on campus, and strategies to learn effectively.
Career Exploration and Development
(Spring)
Designed to learn about career paths and discover more about vocational interests and aptitudes. Topics include: career paths, employment and the world of work.
We will start with our Freshmen. Freshmen start relatively slow when it comes to the career component of the program. Students begin with a course called Introduction to College Life to help get them acclimated to being a part of a college campus. Many of the topics and assignments in the course can relate to work in some way or another. For example, planning, time management, and organization skills.
In the Spring, Freshmen take Career Exploration and Development. The main objective of this course teach students the difference between a job and a career and what does it mean “to work.” Students also look at different industries, jobs, and careers and research trends and the skills and education or training to secure such jobs.
Students are not expected to work during this course, however, many of our students at all levels have jobs in their communities.

19. Examples of Freshman Assignments
Complete weekly journal entries on Blackboard
Complete a self-directed action plan
Become involved in Elmhurst College life by joining a student organization or club
Researching and reporting on career options and opportunities
Research various career clusters
Start to identify pathways
Here are some examples of some of the assignments Freshman complete. Each week, there are new journal entries posted on the courses Blackboard. The journal entries are used as an opportunity for the students to reflect on the course and their general college experiences.
Students are expected to complete a self-directed plan. Each student chooses a skill or behavior that needs improving, set a goal, and specifies steps for improvement, identify resources that will them work on the and achieve their goal, and submit documentation that shows the progress the student is making towards their goal. A written report is turned in upon the due date.
Each student is expected to become involved in the Elmhurst College life by joining a student organization or club on campus. Students identify the organization or club that they are interested in becoming involved. The student identifies his or her strengths and interest which will help with their integration into the club. Students research their organization and identify key people. Students prepare presentations about the clubs they are joining and explain how becoming involved in the organizations will help them become part of college life.
Students choose a variety of jobs and careers to research. They then present the information to their fellow students.

20. Sophomore Career Courses
Description
Career by Design (Fall)
Students continue to develop various skills necessary in learning about career paths and vocational interests and aptitudes. Keyboarding, general office skills, and informational interviewing are introduced.
Career and Community Skills
(Spring)
A continuation of Career by Design. Students participate in on and off campus Job Observations.
Sophomore year is when students begin mandatory work assignments as part of their career courses.

21. Examples of Sophomore Assignments
Researching and reporting on career options and opportunities
Research Employment Ads
Informational interviews
Job Observations
Written correspondence

22. Sophomore Work Component—Fall Informational Interviews
Students find someone to interview on their own
Students prepares lists of relevant questions
Benefits of Informational Interviews
Explore careers and clarify career goals
Expand professional network
Build confidence in interviewing skills
Access to up-to-date career information

23. Sophomore Work Component—Spring Job Observations
2 job observations—one on campus, one off campus
4 hours total, 1 hour per week for 4 weeks
What is a job observation?
Short-term
Students observes people working in the workplace
Students take notes and journal
Hands-on work in some cases
Includes an informational interview
Student receive handbook
Purpose of job observation
Exposes students to a variety of jobs and careers
Helps students learn what skills and education is needed to do certain jobs
Helps students make informed choices about pursuing a certain job or career path

24. Junior Career Courses Courses Description
Career Development & Planning I
(Fall)
Career Development & Planning II
(Spring)
Continue the process of career exploration, developing communication, writing and computer skills necessary for employment. Students begin field experience on campus or in the in community.
Process of developing skills necessary for employment in the community. Communication, decision making, resume, portfolio, career interests, and strengths.

25. Examples of Junior Assignments
Complete job application (paper and on-line)
Conduct informational interview
Research company of where they will be working
Mock interview
Presentation of job placement
Resume writing and building
Thank you correspondence

26. Junior Work Component—Field Experiences
2 Field Experiences (Fall and Spring)
32 hours total—4 hours per week for 8 weeks
Placements are based on students’ career/job interests
Job application and mock interview
Training and/or orientation
Job shadowing
Task analysis/supports/job coaching
Students work independently

27. Senior Career Courses Course Description Career Internship I (Fall)
Students prepare for their January internship placement. Developing skills for landing and keeping a job and conflict resolution in the workplace. Building and maintaining a resume and job portfolio. Practicing Interviewing Skills
Actual Internship
(January)
Students intern at various companies/organizations
Internship II
(Spring)
Students reflect on their January internship placements. Students walk through the steps necessary for their own job search.

28. Examples of Senior Assignments
Complete job application
Conduct informational interview
Research company
Mock interview
Attend Internship Workshops
Resume writing and building
Thank you correspondence
Presentation of job internship
Create a network

29. Senior Work Component--Internship
Internships take place in January
Minimum of 9 hours per week for 4 weeks
Internship sites are pre-determined
Areas of career or job interest
Students attend 2 Internship Workshops
Time cards and journals
Job coaching and supports
Presentation to fellow students

30. Internships--January
7 students interning this January
Music Clerk at a music store
Filing Clerk in Human Resources Department
Activities intern at nursing home
Assistant animal care intern at zoo
Activities intern at learning center
Clerical intern at hospice agency
Classroom helper in a kindergarten program

31. Role of Mentors and Job Coaches at Internship Sites
Review of Functional Assessment
Goals and target areas
Train student on-site
Provide support as needed
Task analysis
Break down tasks
Provides lists or visuals if necessary
Work with host toward independence

32. Finding Placements in the Community
Local and family owned businesses
Not-for-profits with volunteer programs
Present information at Service Organization meetings
Letter with follow-up
Just walk in
Sell program and students

33. Questions?
Thank you for your interest in Elmhurst Life Skills Academy and attending this session.