EDUCARE Street Smarts...KenCrest's extended school day transition support for students with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Read a recent EDUCARE success story website article 

Who we are:
Our team of professionals can provide individuals with the necessary inter-disciplinary resources to promote positive transition outcomes. We provide unique, community-based opportunities for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities.

What we do:
We build upon people's strengths, dreams, and community resources to develop and individualize the program.

Focus outcomes:
The Street Smarts program will focus on four interconnected outcomes -- employment, life skills, social and communication, and educational.

• The employment curriculum will assist students in learning the skills associated with employment, such as organization, communication and appearance, as well as introduce them to career exploration and preparation.
• Our life skills curriculum allows for a variety of learning experiences, including cooking, shopping, choice and decision making, and scheduling in an integrated, community-based environment.
• The social and communication aspects of the program will highlight opportunities for students to make long-lasting connections with their peers and their community, through community participation and interactive technology.
• We also focus on the educational aspects of transitioning, blending fundamental academics (reading, math and current events), with the community-based experiences such as math needed in cooking and reading necessary to understand a bus schedule.

These services are provided directly in the education environment to assist students in being successful in their relationships and academic development:

• 1:1 instructional aides
• 1:1 support staff, tutors,
• School & home supports
• Environmental restructuring
• Therapy Services
  

Benefits:

• Assistance meeting transition & education IEP requirements.
• Professional and experienced staff.
• Personalized, interdisciplinary assessments and goal setting.
• A creative and interactive program.
• Development of social stories.
• Steps to a smooth transition from school to adult life.

Contact information:

Dionne Jones
Director of School-Age Programs
484-325-0154
djones@kencrest.org


Kristen Burkhart
Coordinator of Educational Services
610-636-1575
kburkhart@kencrest.org


Additional Resources:

TransitionMap Network

Information for People Receiving Supports and their Families about the College of Direct Support:

The College of Direct Support is a web-based learning system that provides important information on many topics of significance to people with developmental disabilities and others in their lives. The College provides carefully designed training in many key areas, including:

• Safety at Home and in the Community
• Supporting Healthy Lives
• Individual Rights and Choices
• Community Inclusion
• Cultural Competence
• Person-Centered Planning and Supports
• Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults and Children
  
  If you are a person receiving supports through your local Mental Retardation Office, or a family member of a person receiving supports, you can take all courses in the College of Direct Support free of charge. This is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. For more information, go to the website at: http://www.collegeofdirectsupport.com/pa/, or contact Sherri Graven (814-542-02501) cdssupport@tiu11.org.