Who are the busiest RPS students? The answer may be the 18-22-year-olds in the RPS Transition Program. Kate, for example, works at Walgreens and ROAR shelter and volunteers at Rock N’ Rescue (pet rescue), and fosters cats. Dylan is a full-time student with three jobs. He dusts at the Ridgefield Library, cleans and wipes windows at the Boys and Girls Club, and makes pizza boxes on Wednesday at Planet Pizza (his favorite of the three).
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Many Ridgefield residents have learned about the need for meaningful employment for adults with disabilities and the potential contributions of this population from the wonderful Prospector Theater. You might not know that RPS has a program for 18-22-year-olds, which offers a range of pre-employment and vocational support for students.
The RPS Transition Coordinator is Jessica DiValentino. “We currently have 17 students in the program—six full-time and 11 part-time. We tailor their support and programs to their needs.” Alex, who currently works at Scotland Elementary in the RISE (Ridgefield Intensive Special Education) classroom and aspires to become an RPS paraeducator, will graduate from the program next month. She already lives in an apartment by herself and has learned important life and job skills in the program. Eugene is trying his hand with a landscaping company. All are learning life skills and behaviors that will be important to be employed and as independent as possible.