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Director outlines transition program that gives Region 12 students work and life-skills experience
Summary
Ally O'Hara, director of pupil personnel services, described Region 12's transition program for 18'1-year-olds that emphasizes vocational placements, weekly community outings, budgeting and banking skills; she said three students are currently enrolled.
Ally O'Hara, director of pupil personnel services for Regional School District 12, presented the district's transition program for 18- to 22-year-olds on May 4, describing a mix of vocational placements, community outings and life-skills training intended to support students' independence after high school.
"We serve 18 to 22 year olds who need continuing services after high school," O'Hara said, describing the program's focus on functional daily living skills, vocational skills and social skills. She credited a predecessor for launching the program and said she is building on that work in her first year with the district.
O'Hara listed partner placements that provide on-site work experience, including the First Congregational Church of Washington, Washington Food Market, Washington Pizza House and Salem Covenant Church. Students also perform the district mail run, help at Washington Primary School (copying, organizing recess equipment, library support) and take part in weekly community outings and career tours — examples included a manufacturing/factory visit with HR staff, a robotics company visit and field trips to local cultural sites.
O'Hara described hands-on life-skills instruction: students create weekly shopping lists and practice keeping a $30 budget for lunches; they receive bi-weekly paychecks, learn to use deposit services and maintain transaction registers at Union Savings Bank; the program recently discovered a $3 monthly paper-statement fee that became a teachable moment. She also said students have memberships to the New Milford Fitness and Aquatics Center and that the program collaborates with the Litchfield Hills Transition Program to arrange larger outings and group rates.
During questions, a board member asked about enrollment; O'Hara replied, "We have three currently," and said she expects a similar number next year. Board members and other attendees praised staff for the program's community integration and its benefits to students and to local businesses that host placements.
The presentation concluded with an invitation for board members and the public to engage with students at later events and with a reminder that the program emphasizes real-world exposure and independence-building rather than classroom-only instruction.
