Staff are dedicated and sensitive to the needs of the students and the employers. A careful collaboration exists between a variety of agencies to provide a complete program with appropriate follow-up services after the student exits the school system. This is maintained by including all the collaborators in the annual meetings where student needs and programs are discussed. There is extensive parent involvement during the entire process. This is achieved by having parents of the students attend all the meetings involving student progress, having at least 2 parent nights, and encouraging them to visit both the program as well as the student's work location.
Students learn to self-advocate by role playing in a speech and language development series.
In addition, they are actively involved in all decision makings. Characteristics associated with his disability have been the main factors in Johnny exhibiting several inappropriate behaviors. From April 1994 to November 1995, Johnny volunteered as a landscaper at the Carroll County Farm Museum. His job duties included edging and weeding, raking and bagging leaves, and collecting trash. This experience helped Johnny develop his career awareness, positive work attitudes, work independence, and self-esteem.