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Navigate Life Texas: Resources for kids with disabilities and special needs
Navigate Life Texas: Resources for kids with disabilities and special needs
The PATHS Program annually serves approximately 25 to 30 non-traditional students who come from across Texas. “We don’t look at reading scores or writing scores. We don’t take SAT or ACT scores or IQ scores,” Glass said. “Our program is built for students for whom a four-year traditional degree-seeking program is not appropriate or not possible. We make attending workforce training courses in a college-like environment possible for students with disabilities who traditionally have had very limited options.
The program currently offers three professional tracks:
A direct support professional general track, which is designed for students who want to work with the elderly in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospice units.
A paraprofessional track, which prepares students to work in a school district.
A child care professional track, which teaches students to work in preschool and early childhood settings.
In addition, Glass and her staff are considering offering new certification tracks in horticulture and vet-tech in the future for individuals who would prefer to work with plants or animals.
The PATHS program is opening doors for these students. After completing a summer program in which they explore topics such as professionalism, self-determination, budgeting, time management, and healthy food choices and cooking, students take two semesters of additional coursework.
Bridging to the Future
The PATHS Program begins with a summer prerequisite, the Bridge to Career Program, which immerses students into coursework, Texas A&M and the Bryan-College Station area.
The Bridge to Career Program requires students to live on campus and be engaged in sessions and activities from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the week. Students explore topics such as professionalism, self-determination, budgeting, time management, healthy food choices and cooking, healthy relationships, and study skills. The students also begin to learn assistive technology that can help them overcome learning barriers they face.
A key part of the program involves teaching students independent living skills, including navigating Texas A&M’s campus and using the Texas A&M and Brazos Transit District bus systems. “One of the big problems that our students struggle with is traveling,” Glass said. “In the summer, we house them on campus, but in the fall and spring, they’re required to live in off-campus dorms so they can work on their independent living skills. They need to know which bus route will take them to the store.”
Following the PATH
After successfully completing the summer program, students take two semesters of additional coursework that is designed to give them the decision-making skills and tools to navigate their personal and work lives.
During the fall semester, students take classes four days per week. While much of the coursework aligns with their professional track, additional courses focus on professionalism and healthy relationships. Students attend a weekly meeting with instructional assistants as well as trainings in areas such as person-centered practices, CPR/first aid, communication and benefits counseling. They also spend one day volunteering in their chosen area of study. “They’re getting their feet wet by seeing what it’s like in the real world,” Glass said.
The spring semester requires students to spend one day in class and four days working in their chosen area of study. This schedule gives students hands-on experience so they can practice what they learn in the classroom.
Ellie Hefner '19 receives her PATHS certificate from Tracy Glass '14, the program's director.
Finding Their Voice and Independence
A critical part of the PATHS Program involves encouraging students to advocate for themselves.
401 George Bush Drive,
College Station, 77843, TX
Accessible Location: No
| Type of Organization | University |
|---|---|
| Categories | CSHCN Activity, Post-secondary, Teen Activity |
| Services offered in Spanish? | No |
| Newsletter? | No |
| Child Care Available? | No |
| Age Range | 15-21 , 22 and up |
| Disability Categories | Developmental Disability, Intellectual Disability, Learning Disability |
| Does this organization belong to all disabilities? | No |
| This organization belongs to these diagnoses | |
| Is this a statewide service? | yes |
| Website | https://www.txamfoundation.com/News/Finding-Their-Voice.aspx |
| Contact Name | Tracy Glass |
| Email Address | [email protected] |
| Phone Number | 979-845-4461 |