January 2017

The topic of personal safety is presented in this month’s unit titled, “Who Can I Trust?” The unit provides lessons and activities focusing on recognizing unsafe situations and what to do about them. Activities from the Transition Passport: Daily Living/Safety Tools are incorporated. As we assist our young adults in the transition from school to work, it is necessary that they receive training in personal safety. Knowing what to do in unsafe situations, knowing who you can trust and how to stay safe on the internet are important components to personal safety. This unit will provide our young adults with the tools needed to learn about how to stay safe and make safe, responsible choices.

The unit stories help young adults learn the importance of knowing who you can trust and the right to feel safe at all times. In the first story, a young boy is excited about getting money for his birthday and can’t wait to show his friends. He quickly learns which friends he can trust and the importance of keeping personal information and valuable things private and in a safe place. In the second story, a young girl is hanging out with her boyfriend. She likes hanging out with him, but learns the importance of speaking up and saying “NO” when someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable. Her boyfriend respects her feelings and she is able to feel safe and comfortable again.

Regular monthly lessons are provided which offer the opportunity to practice the skills needed to make responsible choices to stay safe. Personal safety needs are addressed in banking and budgeting where the importance of being safe with money is stressed. Daily living skills involved in cooking are part of a regular monthly lesson offering five recipes where our young adults can practice appropriate safety skills when using kitchen tools and appliances. Social and communication skills are the focus of lessons presenting daily social trivia scenarios offering more opportunity for our young adults to practice skills needed to make good choices related to personal safety.

Employment continues to be a regular focus for several lessons each month. Lessons include exploring different jobs, reading job ads, completing job applications and practicing interview skills. Simple, realistic scenarios address job skills and interactions at work. The final lesson highlights volunteering as a way to practice job skills and gain practical work experience.