S.T.A.R.S.

                        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 26 years.  She holds an M.S. degree in
            Rehabilitation Counseling - Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
    *  Direct Support Staff -
            Direct Support Staff will be assigned to work with individuals as referrals are made and accepted.  The goal will be to
            match students with agency staff, so that successful, supportive coaching, and mentoring relationships will be established.

 

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

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

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   
       

Testimonials

"As a Para Educator at the Sidney High School, I assist with the STARS program.  I believe that the STARS program is an excellent tool for the students.

The students have been learning about many different kinds of jobs and the responsibilities that they include.  The information they are learning can be very beneficial to them in the future.

The STARS program works with the students at their level to help fill their needs.  They are given information repeatedly until they are able to understand and retain it.

The STARS program can teach life skills that students would not get in a regular classroom."

Sincerely,  Gloria Kemper    

***

"The East Mills High School students who had the opportunity to be involved with STARS had programming we never could have provided ourselves in a small district.  STARS helped the students bloom by developing work skills, social skills, living skills and money management skills.

STARS is an important program for the students' families, as well.  Transitioning from high school to adult life can be an anxious time for parents and students both.  STARS is a great step linking families, with adult services offered at Nishna Productions and other community providers."

Ann Greenfield ~ East Mills Community Schools

***

"Ben's experiences with Don have been very positive.  He was able to go on job shadows, do some computer job surveys, and run small errands (in order to see if he could follow through with instructions, find items on a list, pay for and keep track of his checkbook.)

I am very thankful.

Teresa Parker