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| Youth Leadership Program
The VCIL Youth Leadership Program serves high school students and young adults with disabilities who are motivated toward learning independent living skills and self-direction in their lives, to successfully transition from school to community integration, and to mentor their peers, in turn. This is a cross disability program and eligibility is determined by staff assessment of the student's willingness and ability to participate in all phases of the program.
The Youth Leadership staff is composed of the program manager, a school project specialist, an administrative assistant, and other temporary staff hired for specific events.
There are two components to the Youth Leadership Program. The first is the School Project, where our staff works one on one with students in the school setting. With the support of special educators, other teachers, and parents, students develop personal, educational, and independent living plans which include goals toward directing their own living environment, employment, personal assistance, further educational opportunities, budgeting, and team leadership skills.
The second component is the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF). The YLF is an initiative of the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, of which VCIL is a member. Other members include, the Dept. of Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, and VT Assoc. of Business, Industry, and Rehabilitation, as well as businesses.
During the summer YLF session, program staff provides training and opportunities for students to demonstrate and to implement independent living and leadership skills. They take care of their own living space and cleanup. Recreational activities are also planned, such as boating, swimming, horseback riding, skits and role-playing. These are all directed at identifying leaders and involving the group in organizational skills, accessilbility awareness, and the history of disability rights.
Students who have successfully participated for two to three years in the program are encouraged to return as paid staff, facilitators, or peer mentors. Outcomes are measured by consumer satisfaction surveys, written and collected peer stories, and successfully completed independent living plans.
For more details about our Youth Leadership Program, please contact the program manager, Darcy Oakes, at 802-368-0012.
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