• Must between at least 18 years of age

• Must have been diagnosed as an individual with a developmental disability, intellectual disability and/or Autism.

• Proof of Guardianship

•Must be able to function without attendant care and specifically meet the following requirements:

1.Can dress and bathe themselves without physical prompting

2.Can complete personal hygiene tasks without physical prompting (i.e., brushing teeth, combing hair, applying deodorant)

3.Can feed themselves without physical prompting

4.Has independent lavatory skills and no nighttime enuresis

5.No sleepwalking

6.Can manage self –medication

•Completed high school (HSD), GED or other state-approved Equivalency.

•At a minimum a 3rd-4th grade reading level

•Basic math skills (addition, subtraction, division and multiplication).

•Provide assessments, psychological evaluations (IEP’s/IP’s) and medical records (from the past 2 years) indicating the applicant can reasonably be expected to succeed in the program; and that the program is educationally and developmentally appropriate for the applicant.

•No current or chronic history of arrest or probation, aggressive or threatening behaviors or history of inflicting harm to him/herself or others within the past 36 months.

•No current or chronic history of addiction or serious mental illness.

•Can articulate the desire to actively participate in the program, adhere to required ANL curriculum and is motivated to live independently.

•Able to communicate wants, needs and discomfort and/or illness without being prompted.

•No interfering behaviors that require intensive, one-on-one intervention.

•Give written consent to communicate with parents/guardians/case manage addressing positive accomplishments and/ or issues that pose a threat to the academy.

•Possess self-help skills and be able to safely function in our transitional housing without direct supervision during non-programmed structured hours.

•Must agree to the timeframe of the program hours, to honor the Transition Academy rules and to participate in training, instruction and other academy related activities during scheduled hours.

•Recognize that upon acceptance, as a student, there is a 90-day probationary status. This time is allocated for staff to observe a student during day and evening instructional activities, to see if they can successfully assimilate to their new environment without exhibiting disruptive and or destructive behaviors that could endanger the staff and students.

• The Academy is a two-year transitory residential, life and workforce skills vocational training and job placement program; it is not a self- paced program. The academy utilizes ANL curriculum which is specifically designed to build competencies as the program progresses. Each class builds upon the previous class and is not a self- paced program. For this reason, no credit for previous training or work experience will be given.

•COVID-19 vaccination not required but highly recommended.

•Must be able to provide own medical coverage.

•Once a prospective student’s application has been received and reviewed. The parent(s) and/or guardian(s) or the applicant, will be notified if selected to move forward to the next step of the enrollment/admission process.

•Completing and submitting the application does not automatically guarantee the applicant will be accepted to the A New Leaf Transition Academy.

A New Leaf Transition Academy applicants and parent(s)/guardian(s)/case managers must be a part of the admissions interview and assessment process which may include meeting with our onsite Positive Behavior Support Program Coordinator for clinical or quantifiable program approval. The applicant interview outcomes must clearly indicate the following:

1. The applicant on their own chooses to participate in the A New Leaf Transition Academy program.

2. The applicant has the motivation and ability to complete the program in the expected time frame.

3. The applicant’s individual needs can be appropriately served by the program staff and/or community resources.

4. The program can provide the least restrictive environment for the applicant.

5. The applicant is prepared to enter the program. If not, the admission team will make suggestions to help the applicant better prepare him/herself before re-applying to ANL to be reconsidered for acceptance in the future or seeking support that ANL does not provide.

6. Parents/guardians are willing to sign the Parental Consent Form

The applicant Clinical or Quantifiable Approval Process / interview is part of the evaluation process, but not the total basis for deciding whether the applicant will be considered for entrance into the program. In addition to the information gathered during the on-site interview(s), we may request information from other agencies that document the applicant’s abilities and outlines the social, educational, and work history of the applicant. We may also request information from teachers, doctors, and supervisors, if available and/or necessary.

The interview/admissions process includes an explanation of the program (if no prior tour was arranged), a Q&A period for the family and the applicant. The interview gives prospective applicants the opportunity to tell the admissions team about themselves.

The interview/admissions process is structured to identify applicants who are extremely motivated and express a commitment to live independently. Thus, adjusting to a new living environment and adhering to the policies and procedures of A New Leaf and A New Leaf Transition Academy; increasing the likelihood that they will successfully complete the program.

Phase 1- Review, complete and submit the A New Leaf Transition Academy Admission Application Inquiry Form.

Phase 2- Once the application is obtained and reviewed. The parent(s) and/or guardian(s) and/or case manager, and the applicant are emailed and invited to an initial interview (Interview #1). The initial interview is 1 hour in length. If interview #1 is successful, the applicant is scheduled to move on to Phase 3 of the admission process.

Phase 3- Student completes another set of assessments and parents are interviewed during this phase. The interview timeframe is 2-3 hours. Applicants must bring their latest IP and or Psychological Evaluation from the last 2 years from the time in which the applicant is applying for the academy. *Note: IP and Psychological Evaluations are mandatory documents. If not obtained, this will hinder the applicant from moving forward with the admissions process.

Phase 4- A New Leaf Transition Academy Director will contact (email) the applicant and parent(s) and/or guardian(s), and or case manager of the applicant’s acceptance or denial into the Academy. A response will be provided within 30-45 days of the third interview. If we require additional time beyond the 45 days to make a decision, the applicant, and parent(s) and/or guardian(s), and or case manager will be informed that further assessments or review of documents is necessary prior to making a decision to admit or deny the applicant.

Phase 5- The accepted applicant and parent/guardian and or case manager will set up a meeting with the A New Leaf Transition Academy admissions team or designee to discuss the housing and tuition requirements, including the A New Leaf Scholarship application process. The scholarship is only awarded to applicants who have been accepted to the academy.

No, the Transition Academy will operate based on quarters

Visit www.anewleaf.org/transition-academy to review, complete and submit the academy inquiry form to the Transition Academy Program Director, Nuceka Chatman at nuceka.chatman@anewleaf.org.

Once the academy inquiry form is received and reviewed by the Transition Academy Program Director. The Director will contact you to set up the first interview. If they do not meet the criteria, the Director, will advise via formal correspondence.

Yes, the Transition Academy is a 2 -year transitional residential life and workforce skills training program. Independent living and securing a competitive wage are the Academy’s goals. Full immersion into the program, including living on campus, is critical to success.

Parents and or guardians are always welcome to visit their child at the Academy during designated visiting times. These times are established to minimize disruptions to scheduled programming

There is a 90- day probationary period. If the student does not like the program, s/he may unenroll.

1. A student who withdraws on or before the first day of class is eligible for a refund of any paid tuition and any other pre-payment that was submitted.

2. A student who starts class and withdraws or is dismissed having completed 50% or more of an academic quarter is obligated to pay the tuition of the months completed within that academic quarter.

3. A student who starts class and withdraws or is dismissed having completed less than 50% of an academic quarter is obligated to pay the tuition for the months they were in attendance within that academic quarter.

No. The Transition Academy is a 2-year only transitional residential life and workforce skills program.

The Academy’s work-based learning staff will ensure that even if a student does not obtain employment prior to graduation, assistance will be provided post-graduation to secure gainful employment in order to support living independently. This assistance will continue until the graduate has secured at least four paychecks. Additionally, support will be provided to help the graduate locate affordable and safe housing.

Yes. The Transition Academy observes national holidays and will have quarterly academy assemblies for parents/guardians to see what their child has accomplished each quarter.

Yes, transcripts and IEP’s can be sent with a completed Transition Academy inquiry form to nuceka.chatman@anewleaf.org.

Yes

Once accepted to the program there will be additional documents to complete. Incoming students are given the “Ultimate Packing” list. The list has all the things they can bring into their assigned dorm.

Yes, rooms are assigned based on personality, needs and temperament of the individuals.

Yes, there will be one overnight staff per wing (two wings). Residential Advisors help facilitate the transition of life and workforce skills through after-hours hands-on life skills activities related to independent living and living with others.