The Foundations Program is a transitions initiative and partnership amongst Community Living Timmins Intégration Communautaire, Cochrane Temiskaming Resource Centre, Access Better Living Incorporated and Cochrane Temiskaming Extend-a-Family, funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. The goal of the program is to provide students with a smooth and successful transition from high school to adult life.
It is designed for young adults who have been identified with an intellectual disability, are 18 to 27 years of age and are currently not receiving any other day program supports. The Transitional Aged Youth Co-ordinator, and the Foundations team work with the student and their family, secondary schools, community service agencies, community businesses and community at large to complete and implement a “Person Centered Plan” (PCP). Transition planning requires an outcome-oriented approach that looks at future vocational goals, career and volunteer placements, funding sources, leisure and recreational opportunities and community resources.
The focus is on being out in the community and getting the opportunity to explore choices based on what has been identified in their transition plan as being important to him or her. “Foundations” has recently expanded and the young adults in the program are presently supported by a team consisting of a Transitional Youth Co-ordinator, a full-time Transitional Support Worker and two casual Support Workers. The project is new, but there are already success stories.
Transition planning is an ongoing process that allows individuals an opportunity to collaborate with community businesses and agencies to make meaningful choices for their future.
