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New Perspectives -
Jan, 2000 Issue #65
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Life Skills Inc.
Oxford, GA
770-385-8913
Indliving@yahoo.com
Delia Fleming, Director
“The basis for Life Skills Inc. is that it is a proven fact that there are
young adults who will never be solely independent. These are people who have a multitude of disabilities. The most distinctive criterion
for the population being served is that they will always need some kind of support for the rest of their lives.” According to director,
Delia Fleming, “This is a program for after the Cloister Creek programs.” The program offers an “encompassing and safe living environment,
and provides the ability to engage in meaningful productive work and to develop and grow socially and emotionally.”
In order to be admitted to the Life Skills Inc. program, the applicant must
be 18 years of age or older, have a desire to live independently, have an updated psychological evaluation, be assessed as having
the potential for employment or proof of employment, and be willing to live in an alcohol and drug-free environment. The young adult
and their family must accept that outside intervention is what is needed for his or her independence, and the family needs to be willing
to participate in the plan developed by LSI for each individual.
“This program is divided into three levels in order to assist the young adult
to develop self-reliant skills, the first two of which must be completed successfully before being admitted into the final step. The
first step is the Transition level, with classes held four afternoons a week in these areas: consumer development and money management;
personal health/hygiene and personal medical needs; social skills building; self-esteem building/self advocacy; sexuality/relationships;
vocational counseling and job development; computer basics; counseling; and social programs. During the second level of the program
the students become semi independent, with the same social program activities as in the first step, combined with job and life skills
maintenance. The program’s final step is to be completely independent, while participating in the same social program. In this third
program level, the LSI staff is on call if needed for any emergency. If appropriate, participants can utilize the local vocational
college and small junior college as part of step three in the program.
This program is located in the Conyers area of Georgia, with nearby recreational
opportunities such as Six Flags amusement park, concerts and mountain day trips.
Copyright © 2000, Woodbury Reports, Inc. (This article may be reproduced
without prior approval if the copyright notice and proper publication and author attribution accompanies the copy.)
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