Young adults with learning and developmental disabilities can get transitional support from a Ferndale School District program to gain experience, independence and confidence in the “real world.”
After four years in a structured high school, young adults are expected to navigate a challenging world of job applications, internships and life on their own. The Ferndale Community Transitions program provides a space for students to learn independence and take risks in a safe environment.
“It’s more like parenting and counseling than your traditional teaching,” said Mitchell Morrison, teacher and case manager for the program.
Only students who have an Individual Education Plan and a case manager at the high school are offered the opportunity.
Students are asked to have new expectations of themselves, to stretch their boundaries so that they can “be as independent as they want to be,” said Grant Driver, another program teacher.
Driver and Morrison used to lead two separate programs. Driver taught life skills at the high school to students who were more impacted by their disabilities and needed a higher level of support. Morrison provided resources off campus for students who were more independent.
In January, Driver and Morrison began teaching at a newly purchased building next to Pioneer Park.
“Being separate from FHS was an important move for these students, who are no longer on a high school schedule,” stated a blog post from the school district.
The new location gives the students a feeling of change and provides a little bit of risk, Driver said.
Now, students who need the extra support will begin working with Driver and, once they progress in their independence, work with Morrison. It’s a continuation of the same subject, Driver said.
The building, bought from the American Legion, will be seeing improvements this year. Superfeet, a Ferndale-based company that sells shoe insoles, donated $40,000 to the program.
“The plan is to dream what we need inside the building for our students to have the best opportunity to learn, and then go from there with that money,” Driver said.
The funds will be used to install internet, new paint, new and remodeled bathrooms and kitchen, security upgrades, furnishings and more.
“It’s amazing to see this support from the community on top of getting a new building,” Driver said.
The program has partnered with 13 local businesses to provide students with vocational learning opportunities.
Justice Ferguson, 19, got a job at Avista Senior Living after an internship there. The program has kept Ferguson on track, helped him stay organized and know what he needs to do for the future, he said.
Morrison especially appreciates community partner Baker Lanes, a Ferndale bowling alley.
“They’ve worked with a wide variety of students, and they always adjust what they’re expecting of the students to what the students need,” he said.
Morrison wants the students to get experience with things they are interested in. But “if you’re comfortable, you’re probably not growing,” Morrison said.
A student who struggled with social anxiety was put behind the counter at Baker Lanes, handing out drinks, doing something they were not entirely comfortable with.
Driver often says they are “providing the dignity of risk.” They give students the opportunity to fail and learn within a safe environment that will build them back up.
“You learn almost more in failure than you do in success,” Driver said.
“It’s about helping people have a realistic understanding of themselves,” Morrison said.
Gabbey Krutsinger, who is almost 19, works at PetSmart, Pooch Palace, Ferndale Laundry and Mystery Thrift. The program helps students “be able to understand and overcome [their] disabilities, or work with them,” said Derick Krutsinger, Gabbey’s dad.
The transitions program currently has 26 students, or clients as Morrison calls them, nine of whom will be leaving at the end of the year as they turn 21.
“By the end, hopefully they are feeling confident in work and at home and they can get themselves around the community on their own ’cause we don’t want them to get stuck after they leave,” Driver said.
