S.T.A.R.S.

"Students Transitioning to Adult Responsibility and Success"
 

Nishna Productions, Inc. is the parent company that will direct the S.T.A.R.S. Program.
    * Our company is CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accredited on the services to be offered.
 

Mission Statement
    *  "Assisting Students to Transition to Adult Responsibility and Success"
 

S.T.A.R.S. Staff
    *  Sherri Clark - Executive Director
            Sherri has been employed by Nishna Productions, Inc. for the last 23 years.  She holds an M.S. degree in Rehabilitation
            Counseling - Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
    *  Don Jackson - Community Employment Specialist
            Don has a B.S. in Secondary Education.  He also has 27 years of teaching experience and is a Certified Community
            Employment Specialist.
    *  Ken McBride - Program Instructor
            Ken has an A.A. Degree in Education.  He has 8 1/2 years experience working at the Clarinda Academy (6 yrs as a
            supervisor).  He also has 2 years experience as a Program Instructor for the NPI Day Habilitation Program.
 

Curriculum Team
    *Student and Parent/Guardian
    *High School Special Education Teacher
    *S.T.A.R.S. Executive Director
    *Community Employment Specialist
    *Program Instructor
    *County Case Management (if applicable)
 

Individualized Services
    *    Curriculum Team members will develop schedules and services to be offered on an individual basis.
    *    S.T.A.R.S. staff will develop and Individual Service Plan for each student.
    *    Classes will be conducted in a community based environment.
 

Classes Offered
    *    Money Management
    *    Self-Advocacy
    *    Social Skills
    *    Leisure and Recreation
    *    Medical Concerns/Awareness
    *    Nutrition/Health
    *    Safety (Community and Home)
    *    Daily Living Skills (housekeeping, laundry)
    *    Pre-Employment (Job Readiness)
    *    Employment (Job Shadowing/Work Site Assessments)

            Classes can be customized:  Any Home-based Life Skills Training, Community Based Work Opportunities

            Schedules can be customized:  Half-days (depending on transportation), Full days, Multiple days, Full week
 

Sample Daily Schedule:
    9:00-9:30       Orientation and daily preparation
    9:30-10:30     Job Readiness
    10:30-11:30   Job Shadowing
    11:30-12:30    Lunch Break
    12:30-1:30     Independent Leisure and Recreation
    1:30-2:00       Money Management
    2:00-2:30       Social Skills
    2:30-3:00       Goal Assessment
 

Progress Reporting
    *  Will be customized by S.T.A.R.S. staff and the student's High School Instructor
 

Special Education students can qualify to be a S.T.A.R.S. candidate.
 

Excellent Opportunity for 5th year High School Students
 

What do we need to start a student?
    *    S.T.A.R.S. Application
    *    Referral from Student's High School
    *    Background Information
    *    Current IEP/Goals
    *    Availability to attend
    *    Participation of the Special Education Instructor
    *    Consents to Release Information
 

Service Fees/Tuition
    Please contact the following S.T.A.R.S. staff for this information:
        Sherri Clark - (712)623-4362    sclark@nishna.org   
        Don Jackson - (712)623-4362    djackson@nishna.org