Services

Social Work & Transition Services

At HMS, we are dedicated to empowering students with the skills and experiences necessary to transition into fulfilling and meaningful adult lives. Our approach centers around assisting families in addressing three pivotal questions:

  • 1
    Where will you live?
  • 2
    What will you do during the day?
  • 3
    What supports do you need, and who will provide them?

To facilitate this transition, we offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program tailored to each student’s unique goals. Our services include:

  • Future Planning and Goal Setting
    • Conversations with Families
      • Transition Folder with Resources about things like Social Security, writing a letter of Intent, choosing a day program, and more.
    • Age-Appropriate Transition assessments
    • Multidisciplinary team planning
    • IEP Measurable Goal Setting
  • Resource connection
    • Day Program tours
    • Evening Education Events
    • ODP Support
    • Residential Programs Tours
    • Community Engagement connections

  • CBI trips will be designed to help our students, especially those who are 14 years and older, begin exploring their local communities and gaining a better understanding of their interests. These trips will be all about building confidence in navigating different environments and engaging in social interactions. It’s an excellent opportunity for students to develop a deeper connection to their community and start forming meaningful connections. Activities include:
    • Grocery Stores
  • Participating in community events or volunteering opportunities.
    • Travel Training
  • Community Navigation
    • Libraries or community centers

Vocational Exploration and Training

  • Pre- Employment Transition Services through CHOP Career Path
  • Pre- Vocational Exploration
  • Career Exploration through assessments and Job Shadowing

  • Program-wide focus on communication and self-advocacy
    • In Therapies
      • Occupational Therapy exploration of independence in Activities of Daily Living and supports needed
      • Speech to help with social skills and interactions
    • Functional Life Skills classes
    • Cooking activities
    • Overnight opportunities to practice being away from home and independent leisure opportunities

Our social workers provide support to students, families and staff. As advocates for students, they connect families with community resources and benefits and helps them to navigate the social-service system. They ease the transition when a student enrolls at HMS and when the student leaves at graduation or for another placement.

HMS social workers realize our students are members of families and are served best when the needs of their whole family are met. To that end, we have started providing sibling programming for siblings of our students, to acknowledge and support the important role siblings play in our students’ lives. HMS social workers ensure parents and families stay up-to-date on changes in local, state, and federal policies that may affect their HMS student and family. HMS Social Workers partner with the Family Engagement Committee to ensure family needs are addressed in education events, school events, and communications.

The social workers also facilitate the interdisciplinary team process, keeping communication lines open among all parties. When a child is ill or hospitalized, they communicate regularly with their family, maintaining the connection between school and home. Social workers also provide some in-school support for students who may benefit from these services.

Transition Planning Resources

Learn How We Help Our Students

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