THE HORIZONS SCHOOL INC

GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION:THE HORIZONS SCHOOL CONTINUES TO IMPROVE ITS LEARNING PROGRAM BY INCORPORATING BEST PRACTICES AND EXAMINING STUDENT OUTCOMES. STUDENTS LEARN TO SAFELY ACCESS THE COMMUNITY FOR EMPLOYMENT, PERSONAL NEEDS, AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES USING PUBLIC TRANSIT. FUNCTIONAL LITERACY CLASSES ENHANCED STUDENTS' SKILLS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING AND WORK. UNIVERSITY FIELDWORK STUDENTS IMPLEMENTED PREVOCATIONAL FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENTS TO HELP MATCH HORIZONS STUDENTS TO COMMUNITY INTERNSHIPS AND EMPLOYMENT. STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FROM PEDIATRIC TO ADULT HEALTH CARE, AND ALSO PARTICIPATED IN WEEKLY FITNESS CLASSES TAUGHT AT A NEARBY UNIVERSITY. HORIZONS EFFECTIVELY COLLABORATES WITH FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, STATE AGENCIES, AND OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR FAMILY EDUCATION, DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYERS, AND TO HOST PUBLIC JOB FAIRS. COMMUNITY LIVING SUPPORT:OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM EXPANDED TO ENHANCE INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS PRACTICED IN COMMUNITY APARTMENTS MANAGED BY THE SCHOOL. SEVERAL DESERVING STUDENTS BENEFITED FROM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO DEFRAY COST OF RENT AND UTILITIES. RESIDENTIAL STAFF PRESENTED MONTHLY SEMINARS ON TOPICS, SUCH AS PERSONAL AND NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY, SUPPORTIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS, ORGANIZING AND CLEANING STUDENT APARTMENTS, AND AVOIDING RISKY PRACTICES. STUDENTS IMPROVED SOCIAL COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATIVE MEAL PLANNING DURING EVENING DINING GROUPS. FIRE AND SAFETY DRILLS WERE CONDUCTED MONTHLY. CAREER DEVELOPMENT:CAREER STAFF PROVIDED GROUP INSTRUCTION, INDIVIDUAL GUIDANCE AND JOB-SITE ASSISTANCE TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR PAID EMPLOYMENT. HORIZONS EXPANDED ITS COLLABORATION WITH VOCATIONAL AGENCIES IN SOUTHEASTERN STATES, OFFERING NEW TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. STUDENTS GAINED COMPUTING SKILLS, LEARNED SAFE FOOD HANDLING AND CASHIERING. MANY HAVE COMPLETED ONLINE TRAINING MODULES FOR EMPLOYMENT IN HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE AND RETAIL/CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE RECRUITED NEW BUSINESS PARTNERS, PROVIDING ADDITIONAL JOB SHADOWS, INTERNSHIPS AND PAID JOBS FOR HORIZONS STUDENTS.