The HALI Project

WTLC (Where The Learning Continues)

Seeking to offer:

-programs for college age children

-providing skills for integration into a big world

Summary:

For individuals with special needs and their families, WTLC is an opportunity to continue to expand their horizons academically and vocationally. Thanks to a great partnership with the Continuing Education Department at West Texas A&M University, our first student – Jacob Cooper – walked on campus in the fall of 2002. Since that time, we have been blessed to watch students complete this program and participate in graduation exercises with their peers from across the University.  This program has provided hope to many families and the opportunities continue to grow. 

 

For the students with developmental disabilities, WTLC provides an appropriate post-high school opportunity to continue their education. This experience will provide them with community based training opportunities that relate to their interests. Continuing to help our students develop their areas of interests as well as their academic skills, their opportunities to participate and contribute their gifts in their communities will continue to grow. WTLC also provides our students opportunities to develop their social, recreational, and leisure skills.  Past and current students have worked with the WT football team, volleyball team, gained membership into the Herdsmen organization, and have worked on campus.

 

While it is difficult to measure, we believe WT receives a benefit from having our students on campus.  It gives their students a broadened view of the community, and helps them see the importance of serving as a liaison and advocate for these students.

We also believe that the community benefits as a result of WTLC. By placing our students in the community, they will have the opportunity to remove barriers that have existed far too long. As these barriers are lowered, we will see increased opportunities for integrating people with developmental delays into the local community.

 

Program Components
Day to day operation of the program is led by our Project Coordinator, Judy Swepston, with assistance and support from the Continuing Education staff – Roxie Pranglin and Laquita Doak.  We are blessed to have them as partners, and the work they do with our students has created relationships that lasts far beyond the students’ time in the program.

Student mentors are also valuable partners in the WTLC program.  These college students assist Mrs Swepston in carrying out the educational plans for our students on a daily basis. 

As for the WTLC student, their daily routines are built around their stated interests. They meet their mentors each morning (Monday-Thursday) at 8:00 AM for three hours of academic training.

Mrs. Swepston has done a wonderful job of integrating WTLC students with the rest of the student body.  Our students spend time on a regular basis in the Henson Activity Center (bowling and other recreational activities) as well as the Student Center “hanging out” with the rest of the student body.

Referral, Admission, and Evaluation for Students with Disabilities
The WTLC admissions process is overseen by The HALI Project’s Board of Directors. This Board is made up of parents of children with special needs. Requirements for admission include:

* Completion of at least 4 years of a high school program

* Access to and review of school records

* Recommendations from past teachers and administrators

* Interviews with the student and his/her parents/guardians

* A minimum of 3 direct observations

* Situational assessments

* Behavioral observations

* Person-centered planning

* IEP review (goals related to employment, community, and adult services) bullet

* A minimum level of independence

* Mobility

* Ability to learn a schedule

* Ability to communicate

* Self care skills

* Signed release for parent communication from student and parent

* Orientation to Campus

* collaboration with Continuing Education and Special Education

Fund raising Responsibilities

The HALI Project is responsible for raising the funds to support the WTLC program.  The funds we raise pay the coordinator, the student mentors, and a small overhead fee to the University.    That annual need is between $20,000- 25,000.  We do have groups such as the Amarillo Truck Center (The HALI Project Golf Tournament) and other local groups who have done fundraising for this work.  We also expect the families of our students to help in this area to keep the program running.

 

Students and their families are responsible for the fees to participate in the program—around $1,000 per semester. Watching this program develop from the dream stage to today, we can honestly say that is a bargain to the family and the student.

To contact us:

806.352.5647

info@thehaliproject.org