A New Leaf

PROJECT PURPOSE

Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities. A New Leaf, Inc.?s Transition Academy will be Oklahoma?s premier educational and workforce development pathway for adults with developmental disabilities. The Transition Academy is the conduit to remove the barriers for sustainable independent living with competitive long-lasting wages for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. A New Leaf, Inc. mission supports and understands that people with developmental disabilities and/or Autism have the opportunity and right to fulfill their potential, contribute to society and have their voices heard. The Transition Academy will be the first in Oklahoma and the 8th in the country! Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and Autism have been disproportionally impacted by the pandemic and overlooked for years prior. A New Leaf, Inc. Transition Academy is a comprehensive non-accredited two-year tuition -based residential, workforce readiness and job placement program designed for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and/or Autism who desire to live and work independently. For some, living independently in a community is a high possibility; however, additional supports are necessary to do so successfully. The Transition Academy emulates a college feel with A New Leaf, Inc. Transition Academy curriculum specifically designed to meet the needs of our students.

EVIDENCE

Postsecondary inclusion for individuals with an intellectual disability and its effects on employment. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 19(2), 130-148. "Postsecondary education (PSE) programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have emerged exponentially in the United States over the last decade. This case demonstrates significant positive employment outcomes for individuals with IDs who attend postsecondary programs compared to those who do not attend such programs and highlights similarities and differences regarding outcomes of the two program types under consideration.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

More than one million people with disabilities lost employment during the first six months of the pandemic. The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that 1 in 5 workers with disabilities have been dismissed from employment, as compared to 1 in 7 in the general population, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly 60,000 individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) living in the state of Oklahoma experience a myriad of daily challenges simply because of how s/he was born. Research shows 85% adults with I/DD are unemployed further compounding these challenges and leading to a life of poverty. The vast majority spend their lives isolated from their community because they have not acquired the skills necessary to secure and maintain employment.? It is Time for Transformational Change?It is Time to Move the Needle!?

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The Transition Academy will measure two outcomes: 85% competitive wage workforce placement upon graduating from the academy after year 2? 85% independent living rate upon graduating from the academy after year 2? Data collection will be done quarterly and captured using Therap, an electronic data collection system. This system is currently being used at OKDHS. There are eleven collection categories Age, average length of stay-attendance, course completions, personal career development plan quarterly evaluations, certification attainments (work keys, etc), work- based learning I & II assessments, job attainment and length of job attainment, type of job, FT or PT and wage

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma