If you are a high school graduate between the ages of 18 and 30 who has a documented or hidden disability, including but not limited to a mood disorder, anxiety, or autism spectrum disorder, you can receive college and career readiness support through The Calais Adult Transition Program, offered by The Calais School in Whippany, New Jersey.

After half a century of providing support to students with special needs, The Calais School has developed a new program to extend support beyond high school graduation. The Calais Adult Transition Program was founded on the fact that young adults with special needs can succeed academically and vocationally when they receive adequate support and guidance.

How do you know if The Calais Adult Transition Program is right for you? Here are 5 signs that you may want to learn more about our services:

 

1. You are struggling to navigate the rigors of college life.

Going to college is an exciting milestone in young adult life, but it is not without its hardships. There are many key differences between college and high school, and responsibility and independence are crucial to success. All college students face challenges such as balancing workloads, communicating with professors, and selecting majors or courses. If you struggle with depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or another hidden disability, college can be even more difficult!

The Calais Adult Transition Program can alleviate such difficulties by providing therapeutic support and study skills coaching tailored to your needs. Struggling with time management? The Calais Adult Transition Program can help with that. Having trouble communicating with your professors? We can help with that, too! In whatever areas you are working on, our guidance counselor, learning specialists, and other certified professional staff are happy to support you in the process.

 

2. You have a career in mind, but you aren’t sure how to achieve it or prepare for it.

There is a saying: “A goal without a plan is just a dream.” If you know what career you would like to pursue but need help coming up with a plan to get there, The Calais Adult Transition Program has the support you need to turn your dream into a goal, and your goal into a reality. We offer a personalized approach that focuses on your specific needs across a variety of disciplines, including life planning, college preparation, work readiness, mental health, self-advocacy, and socialization. Our staff will work with you in each of these disciplines to equip you with what you need to succeed in your desired career.

 

3. You just graduated high school and are not sure what you would like to do next.

Whether you’re interested in pursuing higher education, a career, or both, The Calais Adult Transition program can meet your needs. We offer life planning assistance and career exploration opportunities to help you determine which path to take based on your skills, interests, desires, and needs. Additionally, you will be able to meet regularly with therapeutic staff, our guidance counselor, job coaches, and learning specialists to discuss your progress and develop new strategies to effectively move toward your goals.

 

4. You are having difficulty figuring out the right career to match your strengths and goals.

Choosing a career requires a lot of careful thought and planning; even for neurotypical young adults, it can be daunting! That’s why our program takes pride in helping young adults with special needs develop self-awareness and decision-making skills. Through career counseling and therapeutic services, you’ll be able to develop academic and career goals based on your interests and talents.

In the Calais Adult Transition Program, you can work part-time at a local business while consulting with a job coach frequently to discuss your progress and any concerns or successes you may have. Our staff are ready to help you find a work opportunity in which you can be an asset, exercise your greatest strengths, and improve on your weaknesses. If you don’t feel quite ready to work, no worries – we also offer volunteer opportunities to ease the transition into the workforce. By having this hands-on experience, you can develop a thorough understanding of your working style and ideal career.

 

5. You are enjoying college but you need some extra help with challenges that arise from your disability.

No worries! The Calais Adult Transition Program was created especially to help people like you cope with and rise above the challenges of living with a disability. Suppose, for instance, that you find yourself lacking the right words or not feeling confident enough to speak up for what you need for academic success. The Calais Adult Transition Program can help you learn self-advocacy skills, get acquainted with support services on campus, and communicate with your professors. 

As you navigate college, we will be here for you to guide you in handling situations effectively, enjoying the journey, and being your best self through it all. 

 

 

The Calais Adult Transition Program is an extension of The Calais School and its mission to nurture and empower at-risk students and young adults with multiple learning disabilities to become gainfully employed and socially engaged. For those who are pursuing higher education, we have partnered with community colleges in northern New Jersey to support you in your studies and in the overall college experience. The program has also established partnerships with local employers and career programs to help you build in-demand transferable job skills and achieve success.

If you are interested in taking the next step toward building confidence on-campus and in the workplace, we encourage you to reach out to us today. Contact Ms. Cheryl Porter-Avino, Calais’ admissions director, at (973) 884-2030 ext. 210. Should you prefer to contact us online, feel free to complete the Information Request form or email cheryl.porter-avino@thecalaisschool.org.