What Is A Life Skills Program?

The goal of this program is to explore and expand options and opportunities for young adults with moderate to severe disabilities within an integrated age appropriate environment. This can only be accomplished with access to more inclusive transitional opportunities throughout the educational process. Since the high school is not an age-appropriate setting for developmentally disabled students over the age of eighteen, the need becomes obvious to identify a more functional educational environment. This need includes an environment offering opportunities for the integration of education, vocation, social, community living, and recreation/leisure skills. In essence, the curriculum requires a life skills foundation. In addition, there is the inclusive demand for frequent and ongoing interactive activities among disabled and non-disabled peers. In order for students with developmental disabilities to best prepare to meet the demands and expectations of the real world, it is necessary for them to have access to applied academics and career exploration and preparation within a social environment offering a reflection of a reality.

Academic Affiliations

College of Education   

• Department of Early Childhood Education
• Department of Reading, Special Education,and Instructional Technology
  
• College of Fine Arts and Communication
  
• Department of Art Department of Mass Communication and Communication Studies
  
• Department of Music
  
• College of Health Professions
  
• Department of Communication Science and Disorders
  
• Department of Kinesiology
  
• Department of Nursing
  
• Department of Occupational Therapy

  College of Science and Mathematics

• Department of Computer and Information Science

Student Life Affiliations

• Student Day Care Center
  
• Student Government Association
  
• Student Activities
  
• Health Center

Job Sites

• Lida Lee Tall Day Care Center
  
• Department of Orientation
  
• Tiger Reels Video Store
  
• Towson University Bookstore
  
• Lida Lee Tall Library
  
• Brick Street Cafe
  
• Aramak Recycling Center
  
• Patuxent Dining Room
  
• "The Den" Snack Bar
  
• Newell Dining Hall
  
• Susquehanna Dining Hall
  
• The Glen Dining Hall
• The Wellness Center
  
• Department of Occupational Therapy
  
• Post Office
• Ladies Locker Room - BurdickHall

What Is A Collaborative Partnership?

Towson University has served as an effective educational environment for developmentally disabled students since the 1996-1997 academic school year. The collaborative efforts of Baltimore County Public Schools, Department of Special Education and Towson University have created a unique comprehensive instructional environment. This model has demonstrated the successful inclusion in education and has provided opportunities for regular educators and special educators as well as Towson University students and Baltimore County special education students to interact on a regular basis. The success of this collaborative initiative is measured by the continuation and expansion of such efforts, including the number of increased formal opportunities as well as the students and faculty involved. As the Towson University Outreach Program becomes an integral part of the University, it brings a new dimension of diversity to the campus, offering an element of enrichment and opportunity.

Program Eligibility

• In last two years of public education entering at age 19 and exiting at age 21 through the GovernorÕs Transition Initiative
• Certificate, not diploma, bound
• Transitioning from high school life skills program
• Appropriate IEP goals, i.e.. IMAP for anticipated adult services
• Demonstrates a level of independence throughout high school environment and on work sites
• Student functions independently without 1:1 supervision
• Satisfactory school attendance
• Satisfactory school behavior