This 12 months BPS is launching a program many years within the making to supply assets for grownup college students with disabilities heading into the workforce.
“The NExT, Navigating Employment and Transition program, is a comprehensive transition program for young adults with disabilities, from ages 18 to 22, who receive services in the Boston Public Schools after they’ve finished four years of high school,” mentioned Marcia Fitzpatrick, BPS Assistant Director of Transition.
This system, run out of a newly renovated two-story facility in Roxbury, kicked off at first of college with 60 college students. The district plans to develop this system to 90 college students subsequent 12 months and “just going to keep building up until we can house as many students as possible,” Fitzpatrick mentioned.
The curriculum is designed for grownup college students with disabilities to construct employability abilities, along with impartial residing, social and different assets. This system covers broad assets, Fitzpatrick mentioned, together with exploring careers, touring on the MBTA, monetary empowerment, dwelling upkeep, and extra.
In November, the scholars will start to start out totally different internships in the neighborhood, Fitzpatrick mentioned, mentioning a restaurant close by the ability that approached about hiring a pupil and networking alternatives.
NExT will run in collaboration with BPS’s STRIVE division, which helps transition district college students to employment and coaching.
The thought has been mentioned in BPS for many years, Fitzpatrick mentioned, coming collectively after Superintendent Mary Skipper returned from Sommerville faculties, which homes two related applications.
“It came to fruition just because of a few conversations around the idea this is a need for these individuals,” Fitzpatrick mentioned. “We want them to not have to necessarily adhere to the 7 to 3 p.m. high school schedule. You’re not taking math anymore; you’re not taking English anymore. We want you to be working on your employability and independent living skills. We want students to be able to have programming that reflects that, as opposed to a traditional school schedule.”
This system has had a “tremendous amount of support” from mother and father, Fitzpatrick mentioned, together with one “actually was gushing with tears saying how excited they were that their child was so happy, so happy to come every day.”
“This was a need in the whole city of Boston,” Fitzpatrick mentioned. “I believe these young adults will be able to really become a part of the fabric of the workforce in Boston. And that’s the most important component of this, that if we work together, we’re going to be able to help these students live their best lives.”
