Calais School Executive Director David Leitner is excited to announce that the school will offer a new transition program for adults ages 18-30 with special needs beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

The Calais Adult Transition Program will offer college and career readiness support for high school graduates with an IEP or 504, documented disabilities, or “hidden disabilities” which are defined as mood disorders, anxiety, depression and the autistic spectrum. The new program will fill an unmet need in the community with the goal of providing a personalized holistic approach for each individual in a range of areas including academic and career support as well as therapeutic counseling in a planned environment. The Calais Adult Transition Program is now accepting enrollment for September, Leitner noted.

Currently, when a student with special needs graduates from high school, they must independently navigate college and/or their career. There are few public-funded services available for students ages 21 and older with these types of disabilities. Through the program, high school graduates gain access to career and mental health counseling, job coaching, life planning, socialization and advocacy. Certified professionals will guide these young adults as they pursue college education, vocational training/certifications, or employment.

The new program will serve 10-12 students from New Jersey during the 2021-2022 school year. These students will benefit from academic and emotional support from counselors, job coaches, licensed social workers, mental health providers and other professional staff at The Calais School, Leitner said. The Calais School plans to partner with local community colleges and employers to further help young adults develop self-awareness, problem solving, and decision-making skills as they navigate their pathways to success.

The Calais School is currently seeking grant and donor funding to help support this revolutionary program which will make a significant difference in the lives of this underserved population.

This program furthers the mission of The Calais School, which nurtures and empowers at-risk students and young adults with multiple learning disabilities to become gainfully employed and socially engaged. Adults, who have graduated high school, will receive exceptional academic, transition and clinical services in a small, safe therapeutic environment. Those interested will need to apply and be accepted to our transition program as well as to other potential partners.

“Our goal with our Calais Adult Transition Program is to help young adults with developmental disabilities move forward in their lives and succeed with our academic and emotional support,” Leitner said. “We hope to partner with local community colleges and career and technical education programs to help young adults pursue a variety of opportunities.”

The new program also falls in line with the school’s vision “to be the premier institution for higher functioning students and young adults with multiple learning disabilities that prepares them for productive and independent lives. This is accomplished by delivering exceptional academic, transition and clinical services.”

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