A 4-year-old program that helps qualifying young adults in St. Clair County with an identified disability develop independence and work skills is undergoing a transition of its own. A program through the St. Clair County RESA called Next STEP is replacing the Transition Program, formerly operated by the Virtual Learning Academy of St. Clair County.
Next STEP (Student Transition Experience Program) will move to classrooms located on the campus of St. Clair County Community College, said Deana Tuczek, RESA’s Director of Special Education. “We’re dedicated to giving these students the skills they need to be productive members of our community. Next STEP will focus on developing employability, community involvement and independent living skills,” Tuczek added.
The Transition Program had been at RESA’s TEC building through a contract with the Virtual Learning Academy of St. Clair County, a public school academy authorized by the RESA. Next STEP will be directly operated by the RESA, as authorized by its action at the April 15 Board of Education meeting. The VLA board also has authorized the move.
“We’re excited about this new direction for the program,” said RESA Superintendent Dr. Kevin Miller. “These are terrific young people! Our partnership with SC4 will benefit them in many ways.”
The original program started with nine students enrolled. Scott Ceglarek, RESA transition coordinator, works directly with the program. He said the program expects to enroll around 30 students when classes resume this fall at SC4. These individuals, aged 18-26,have attended area high schools for at least four years, but have not earned a diploma.
The partnership with the community college offers Next STEP students more opportunities than can be created at a typical high school program. Next STEP students will be blended within the campus environment to emphasize employment skills, interact with their age appropriate peers, access public transportation, and experience a broader environment, Tuczek said.
“Our collaborative partnership with RESA has grown extensively over the past few years thanks to our complementary visions aimed at supporting students and helping our communities thrive,” said SC4 President Dr. Deborah Snyder. “We are pleased to offer classroom space for this invaluable work skills program and look forward to welcoming Next STEP students to campus.”
Next STEP will occupy two rooms at the college. One will be a training room for developing work skills, while the other room will more resemble a traditional classroom. Students spend 30 hours a week in the program. In addition, as students develop their work skills, they are able to spend half of their scheduled time off campus in a variety of unpaid internships with a number of local employers.
Students receive training tailored to the individual, Ceglarek said, based upon their abilities, interests and skills. Every student learns and progresses in a wide range of essential skills that can include independent living, soft skills valuable in the workplace, skills specific to a particular type of work, and accessing community activities and navigating public transportation.
The goal of Next STEP is to build the skills to assist these young adults to live as independently as possible and to develop the skills needed to enter the workforce in those positions that so many of our local employers need, Tuczek said.
Transition programs are required for qualifying students between the ages of 18-26 and are supported with state funds. The ability to have this specialized program hosted on a college campus is unique among those in the state. Next STEP staff will provide teaching in the classrooms, but the lessons learned in the community will be unparalleled, Tuczek said.
“Our students, who come from cities across our region and beyond, are committed to their education and work hard throughout the year to achieve their goals,” said Vice President of Student Services Pete Lacey. “The students honored at this ceremony are wonderful examples of what can be achieved in the classroom and out in our community.”
