PAEC Transition Program
The Proviso Area for Exceptional Children (PAEC) Transition Program is designed to serve students 18-22 years old with various disabilities/abilities who have met the requirements for graduation, yet continue to receive training in one or more of the following areas: independent living, recreation/community access, and work experience. The Transition Program offers a continuum of services in a community setting which provides independent living and vocational planning, government, heath and other daily living skills. The students are achieving these skills through the implementation of the Saddleback Curriculum designed for students in transition. Throughout the school year, the students work on job training and functional skills necessary for participation in the community. Classroom activities are designed around these focus areas: Team Building, Getting Around your Workplace, Workplace Safety, Social Skills, Communication, Presentation Skills, Interviewing Skills, Money Management, Health and Wellness, Job Search Skills and Keeping a Job.
There are two full time teachers and four full time program assistants. Two of the program assistants are assigned job coaches that assist students in the community. At scheduled times, the School Social Worker, the Speech Therapist, the P.E. Teacher and the Vocational Coordinator will provide group work/individual work with the students.
The goal for each student is competitive employment and independent living. The program provides real-life experiences in the community combined with vocational training and independent living skills to assist students make successful transition from school to a productive adult life. The PAEC Transition Program involves a period of training and career exploration, long-term job coaching, and ongoing feedback from teachers, job coaches and employers. As a result, at the completion of the training program, many students are competitively employed. The Transition Program has resulted in positive attitudes from employers about hiring people with disabilities.