Young Adult Programs | Washtenaw ISD

The Young Adult Services Model

"WISD Young Adults Moving Education Forward"

All WISD services for post high school students eligible for continued services (as per the State of Michigan rules for Special Education).

The WISD Young Adult Services Model includes the following programs/services:

Young Adult Community Based Program Sites
Young Adult Project Services (YAP)

WISD Young Adult Services are developed with the student’s needs and goals in mind. WISD staff along with the IEP team plan and develop Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) for each student. The staff implement student-focused services through a range of activities that involve the student and his/her circle(s) of support. Services provided by the WISD are coordinated with other service providers, family, friends, employers and others to best meet the individualized needs of the young adult student. Instructional designs and programming reflect individual student needs aligned with state standards and outcomes.

WISD Young Adult Services strive to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with partner agencies, community resources, families, employers and others to provide high quality adult service supports to the students who participate with the WISD programs and services.

The Goal of our program is to assist individuals to be as successful and independent as possible in their adult roles as literate, healthy and fit individuals, involved citizens, self-directed lifelong learners and as productive workers/volunteers.

Literate Individuals: Students in our Young Adult Programs will be able to communicate wants, needs feelings, and ideas effectively (receptive & expressive).

We show our success by:

Communicating information effectively and efficiently
Acquiring information

Healthy and Fit Individuals: Students in our Young Adult Programs will be able to monitor their own behavior, show self-control, set personal goals, and maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle.

We show our success by:

Maintaining positive relationships with others
Establishing and maintaining healthy habits and practices
Developing positive social skills

Involved Citizen: Students in our Young Adult Programs will be able to act responsibly for themselves, in their living/school environments as well as their community.

We show our success by:

Acting responsibly
Showing knowledge and awareness of our community and of other citizens

Self-Directed Lifelong Learners: Students in our Young Adult Programs will be able to problem solve and advocate for themselves.

We show our success by:

Listening and evaluating information effectively
Participating in a wide variety of activities
Advocating and problem solving for self

Productive Worker: Students in our Young Adult Programs will find, apply for, interview and keep a job or volunteer experience.

We show our success by:

Being able to look for a job/volunteer opportunity that matches our abilities
Demonstrating good work habits
Showing our ability to maintain a job/volunteer opportunity

Young Adult Program Classrooms

Currently, there are nine community-based sites located throughout the county at which WISD’s young adult students with disabilities needs are met.
In total, the nine community-based sites serve over 220 students aged 18-26 from 8 local school districts (Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Lincoln, Manchester, Milan, Whitmore Lake, and Ypsilanti Community Schools) in Washtenaw County.
The instructional day for the young adults who participate in a community-based site is approximately from 7:48-2:35 Monday through Friday (differs slightly from site-to-site).
Transportation is provided to and from the site, and some students elect to take public transportation.
Most of their education and training occurs in the community at occupational training sites, job sites, local community business sites or recreational venues in the community.

Classroom Locations and Staff

Young Adult Program Outcenters Administration

1819 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Ph. (734) 994-8100, Fax. (734) 913-5957

Supervisor - Rebekah Ralls

Ph. (734) 994-8100,ext. 1545

Secretary - Anne Fortunato

Ph. (734) 994-8100 ext. 1520

Carpenter Young Adult Program

Laura Kinney, Teacher

2835 Carpenter, Suite 1 & 3, Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Phone: (734) 994-8100 ext. 5000, Fax: (734) 975-0783