For many years, AIM Independent Living Center has enjoyed a unique relationship with local high schools and BOCES. This relationship has expanded services for young adults with disabilities throughout the areas of Steuben and Chemung Counties. In addition, AIM's collaborative efforts with other agencies and governmental parties created a stronger support for young adults in their search for a meaningful private and work life. Through this, AIM has been able to assist students exploring employment opportunities within their local communities to smooth their transition into adult life. For information on Transition Services for Young Adults, please contact Dee Connon at dconnon@aimcil.com.

Vocational Exploration. Students are given opportunities to explore and observe a variety of jobs and work settings. The student may watch people who are in a job do the job, may interview people doing a job, and may actually participate in limited job activities with the supervision of school personnel or a job coach.

The opportunity to shadow a job before pursuing it increases the young adult's likelihood of understanding what the job really entails. Many times in this experience, the student is able to realize that they do (or don't) like the job as much as they originally believed. Having this opportunity allows the student to gain a better understanding of their fit to a job and to the broader career possibility. In addition, rotating a student among various work settings allows AIM an opportunity to assess his/her interests, aptitudes and work habits therefore optimizing placement a good job and career choice.

Vocational Training. Work experience occurs when a student is placed in a work setting that closely resembles the type of work that he/she plans to pursue in the future. Specific training is provided by an employee of the worksite or by a job coach.

The young adults served by AIM are in need of support as well as exposure to the appropriate skills needed to live independently. AIM takes steps to teach these young adults what life is like after high school, and this is done in a variety of ways. In order to further increase successful outcomes, the student needs to have a foundation of self- confidence and a concrete understanding of their aptitude before they are out on their own. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses allows the student to bring his or her best to the workplace while seeking support in the areas that may be of challenge to them.

In a peer and/or individually supported environment, AIM offers skill building in such topics as: balancing a checkbook, creating a financial budget, knowing the resources that their communities offer, encouraging on-going self assessments to assure proper growth and development, educating them on appropriate ways to search for adequate housing options and resources for achieving that goal, educating on proper job application processes, interviewing skills, work ethic, resume writing (cover letters and reference pages as well), team building trainings and how to explore post secondary education opportunities and GED classes.

Young Adult Peer Group. AIM offers Young Adult Peer Groups for individuals to participate in within Steuben and Chemung Counties. These groups meet on a monthly basis and offer opportunities for discussion amongst the peers regarding issues faced by our young population today. The goal of the peer groups is to promote the healthy development of productive members of society who are proud of their achievements and contributions. Because education and knowledge are the keys to this kind of development, their importance is emphasized as is the need to socially enjoy other young adults of the same ages and backgrounds. Students have an individual focus to ensure that their peers are supported in reaching their potential.

To Find out More About Transition Services,
visit the following links:

VESID
www.vesid.nysed.gov
1-800-888-5020

Workforce Development Center
www.workforce2.org
Bath (607) 776-7712
Corning (607) 937-8337
Elmira (607) 733-7131
Hornell (607) 324-8388

Cornell University
Industrial Labor Relations School
Employment and Disability Institute
www.edi.cornell.edu
(607) 255-7727

GST BOCES (SCT & SA BOCES merged)
www.gstboces.org
Bush Campus
459 Philo Rd.
Elmira, NY
(607)739-3581

Coopers Campus
9579 Vocational Drive
Painted Post
(607) 962-3175

Wildwood Campus
1126 Bald Hill Road
Hornell, NY
(607) 324-7880