CREC River Street School's Vocational Services Department, begun in 1979 with 18 students and 3 staff, currently serves 45+ students with a staff of 8. Since 1990, the Department has been able to offer an expanded range of programming opportunities to students at the River Street School campus and in the surrounding communities.
The focus of the program is to provide students with work and social skills needed for meaningful supported or competitive work after graduation. Meaningful work provides students with an improved quality of life through opportunities to:
• engage in a preferred task that is productive
• earn money and participate as a consumer
• enhance confidence and competence
• enhance social contact.
Students enter the formal vocational program or are referred for evaluation as a result of recommendations from the teacher or the PPT. The earliest that students enter the formal vocation program is 15. A decision to introduce formal vocational programming is based on evaluation of individual needs and readiness, with initial programming in the Campus Work Center. Programming provides a mix of task and social skills development, using training simulations and real jobs, on campus and in the community.
The Campus Work Center is in a separate building which allows for developing independent movement around the Campus. Activities include a variety of bench tasks, both simulations and real jobs from local businesses, as well the use of office machines (rotary paper trimmers, electric paper shredders, folders and hole punches, staplers, and heat sealers). The typical schedule is 5 hours per week (daily 1 hour sessions though students may begin with 15-20 minutes daily sessions) progressing to 15 hours (daily 3 hour sessions) for some juniors and seniors. A daily schedule is emphasized for consistency. Daily sessions involve 12-20 students supervised/instructed by 2-3 staff. The structure, routines, and staffing level are designed to promote independence.
Campus mobile (non-bench) assignments include restocking rollout drinks coolers; light janitorial; clerical tasks; plant care; delivery of staff mail, student paychecks and materials; and creating and delivering flower arrangements. Assignments are designed with a view to students becoming independent after initial training.
Community based worksites are typically within a 20-30 minute travel time from the school, and include basic janitorial, restaurant support (non-food), clerical and grocery/retail (bagging, stocking, facing, shipping/receiving). Community programming is added based on level of functioning (behavioral, ability to master assignments). Typically, one morning a week at a community worksite is substituted for the Work Center session. Students in their final 2 years may have 2 or 3 community assignments. Most community worksites involve 1-2 student work crews and 1 staff. Some work sites also provide opportunities for select students to work under the direct supervision of the host site staff and without RSS staff present. On occasion, such students have been then hired by the host site either before or upon graduation.
