Youth Transition

The transition from youth to adulthood can be challenging, especially when you add in having a disability. Many questions come up that you may need help with.

Our Independent Living Consultants can provide a variety of services that can help youth with disabilities transition to their next step in life. These services include:

1. Independent Living Skills Training
2. Information and Referral Services
3. Advocacy
4. Peer Support
5. Transition

We offer 5 Self-Empowerment Courses that can help empower individuals to live independently. 

(All courses are for individuals with disabilities who are ages 14+.)

1. Help Yourself – Self Advocacy (Created & Owned by WI Independent Living Center’s)

This course has 6 chapters (6 weeks) that provide students with disabilities the information and skills to advocate for themselves in different settings such as in interpersonal relationships, school, work, and at a systematic level.   

Help Yourself includes discussions and activities about disability history & disability legislation, self-awareness & self-esteem, communication skills, the power of words & disability awareness, self-determination & IEP advocacy (or can be swapped with employment advocacy), and systems advocacy. This course can be taught 1 on 1 or in a class.  

2. TREES (Teaching Relationships for Everyone in Everyday Situations) – Healthy Relationships & Boundaries (Created & Owned by WI Independent Living Centers)

This course has 6 chapters (6 weeks) that provide students with disabilities the opportunity to discuss and learn about setting and enforcing boundaries in different types of relationships. TREES uses a metaphor of the tree to describe relationships with ourselves, family, friends, classmates and/or coworkers, neighbors, service providers/professionals, and people we meet in passing. It covers the boundaries we need to set between these different relationships and what the expectations are, which are sometimes not verbally explained to students with disabilities.  

Chapters 1-5 cover interpersonal relationships and chapter 6 discusses romance and consent. It is important to note that Chapter 6 is NOT considered sex education and involves discussion around unhealthy/healthy relationship traits, personal space, consent, and peer pressure. This course requires a minimum of 3 students and a maximum of 10 students. The minimum is required due to interactive conversation and dialogue between students, and students’ comfort level of completing activities with peers vs. facilitators. Additionally, this course includes two facilitators to implement the material.  

3. Dollars and Sense – Financial Literacy (DVR curriculum)

This course has 6 chapters (6 weeks) that provide students with disabilities information and the skills necessary to become more financially knowledgeable and independent. This includes examining current spending habits, developing a reasonable budget, learning how to save, deciding where to keep your money, and the in/outs of loans from personal connections and financial institutions. This course can be taught 1 on 1 or in a class.  

4. Skills to Pay the Bills – Employment Soft Skills (DVR Curriculum)

This course has 6 chapters (6 weeks) that provide students with disabilities information and practice opportunities to develop soft skills for current or future employment. This includes discussions and activities about communication, enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork, networking, problem-solving and critical thinking, and professionalism. This course can be taught 1 on 1 or in a class. Due to the necessity for dialogue and interactive activities related to teamwork and networking, this course is best taught to a group of two students or more.  

5. Explore Work – Career Exploration (DVR Curriculum)

This course has 5 chapters (5 weeks) that provide students with disabilities education on how to explore possible careers. This includes looking at career planning, workplace readiness, education and training, work experience, and self-advocacy. This course is web-based, only completed 1 on 1, and can be taught in person or virtually.  

 

For questions or referrals regarding MILC’s 5 self-empowerment courses please contact Madison Matijevich at mmatijevich@milc-inc.org or call 715-303-7681.