Embedded Files
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Our mission is to support students in transition from high school to adult life through classroom and community-based experiences that build on a student’s interests and abilities, with the goal of independence to the degree possible in work and daily living.
The Central Connecticut Transition Academy (CCTA) welcomes students who have been identified through the PPT process as having needs in the areas of activities of daily living, vocational and post-secondary education/employment.
Hours/Location
Central Connecticut Transition Academy
(Housed in the YMCA building in Berlin CT)
362 Main Street
Berlin, CT 06037
Hours:
Student Hours: 8 am-2 pm
Teacher: 7:15 am - 2:35 pm
Calendar
CCTA students and job coaches will follow the Berlin district calendar for holidays and professional development. There are no early release days for exams or conferences at the CCTA. In the event of inclement weather, the CCTA complies with announcements released by Berlin Public Schools
Student Resources
As part of CCTA programming, students are encouraged to begin utilizing and transitioning to services they will access upon program completion. However, students attending CCTA may have access to the following district services if deemed necessary through their IEP.
Counseling/Psychological Services
Speech/Language Services
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Health & Nursing Services
Instructional Components of the Programs
Schedules vary according to day and student. However, all students participate to some degree in the following program components.
Vocational Experiences
The focus of this experience is developing appropriate work behaviors and job readiness skills in a real work environment. Students work at various local worksites according to their individual capabilities and interests. In general, students are in work experiences from 9:30-1:30, Monday through Thursday. Students and job coaches take van transportation to and from worksites. The level of support provided to the student is based on student independence on the job site. There will be on-going communication between the teacher, job coach, supervisor at the worksite and student/parent.
Community Experiences
The purpose of the community experiences is varied and often is designed to support generalization of taught skills and student interest. On Fridays, students are involved in opportunities to expand leisure-time options, given opportunities to utilize banking and budgeting skills, engage in public transportation practice and increase knowledge of state vocational services. At times, students remain at the CCTA for continued lessons and reinforcement of activities of daily living, appropriate social skills and independent living skills or join other transition programs for an increased and varied peer group. Some examples of community experiences are: Durham Fair, American Job Center for Disability Awareness Day, Chapter 126, Trampoline Park, Dave and Buster’s and Meriden/Manchester Malls.
Activities of Daily Living
All students contribute to the regular cleaning and maintenance of the CCTA and it’s grounds. Instructors will rotate kitchen, bathroom and living room chores and support students in reaching independence with routine household tasks. In addition, students are responsible for making their snacks and lunches for the day from the food purchased during the weekly shopping trip. Individual instruction supports student needs in planning adequate nutrition, preparation of simple meals and use of kitchen tools and appliances.
Curriculum and Assessment
Students at the CCTA participate in elements of curriculum based on individual goals and objectives and transition assessment results. The following are examples of curriculum and assessment tools used by the Berlin Transition Academy:
Life Centered Education curriculum, published by the Council for Exceptional Children
Positive Choices curriculum, a program published by The Center for Relationships and Sexuality Education program at Oak Hill (Hartford, CT)
The Transition Planning Inventory-2, published by pro ed
The Assessment of Functional Living Skills, Essential Skills For Independence at Home, School, and in the Community, published by Stimulus Publications
Program Stipend and Bank Account
Students enrolled in the Berlin Transition Academy receive a bi-weekly stipend which is designed to enhance and simulate various adult skills. It is not payment or wages for work.
Students use the stipend to open an account in their name, and in the name of the school district. The account is only to be accessed as a tool of the BTA, debit cards and checks will remain at the Central Connecticut Transition Academy. Some of the skills students practice using the stipend and bank account are:
Depositing paychecks in person and at an ATM
Withdrawing funds in person and at an ATM
Checking balance
Budgeting
Accessing accounts through online banking or mobile apps
Paying for purchases with debit cards and cash
Leaving a tip using a debit card and cash
Evaluation
In order to monitor student progress at work sites and at the transition academy, students will receive daily feedback. Job coaches complete a rubric for each job site, each day. The rubric is based on preparedness, social skills and work skills. Evaluations will be shared with CCTA students at the end of each week. Rubric data is compiled and shared at PPT in order to help direct support/instruction.
All Berlin Board of Education Policies apply at the Central Connecticut Transition Academy.
CCTA Informational Video
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