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About the Program
The Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL) is a post-secondary
experience for developmentally disabled adults emphasizing learning
independent living skills. The program stresses the importance of teaching
people to accept responsibility for decisions and choices they make.
The program occupies 28 rooms in the Seventh Street residence hall, one of
two residence halls on the Taft Community College campus and a 4-bedroom house
in the community.
TIL began in August 1995, with funding from Kern Regional Center. The
college serves as the sponsoring agency. TC has had programs and special
classes serving individuals with developmental disabilities since 1976.
Staff for the TIL program includes a program coordinator, assistant to the
coordinator, program director, director's assistant, instructors, instructional
"life skills" aides, transition specialist, and security personnel.
Instructional hours are from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A
Community Integration Program is run on the weekends. The program is staffed
seven days a week.
Students are responsible for paying a dorm rental fee which includes meals
served in the Taft College cafeteria and all utilities except telephone.
Each dorm room is supplied with a single bed, a dresser, storage area, and a
desk. Students are encouraged to decorate their rooms for comfort and
style.
Referrals
Participants for the program are selected from referrals made primarily by
California Regional Centers, the Department of Rehabilitation, and high
schools. Guidelines for making a referral are available from the TIL
Program Coordinator or the Intake Coordinator.
Requirements for Entry
The following criteria is used to determine acceptance of a student into
the program:
- The student should have a commitment to live independently upon completion
of the TIL program.
- Motivation and eagerness to learn.
- Income equivalent to SSI's minimum rate for independent living.
- Physically able to engage in activities and complete tasks within the time
frame allowed by the program. Anyone physically disabled must be able to
use a minimally modified dormitory.
- Ability to receive information and instruction from staff and provide
responses and feedback when necessary.
- Acceptable social behavior verified by agency, school, or family.
Included is the ability to get along with peers, follow rules, accept
supervision, and have no history of illegal activity.
- Ability to act as own guardian.
- Completion of a high school or learning resource program.
- Completed and mailed application that supplies requested information.
Evaluation
An applicant who meets the requirements for entry will be scheduled for an
on-site evaluation. During the evaluation, applicants may be asked to
demonstrate their knowledge of various independent living skills such as:
following directions, cooking, menu planning, and budgeting.
The purpose of the evaluation interview is to help discover the applicant's
motivation level, response to instructions, acceptance of supervision, ability
to relate to others, and potential for graduating from the program.
The TIL program does not
accept the following:
- Physically or mentally disabled adults who require attendant care for
housekeeping or personal needs.
- Those under age 18.
- Those who historically have been a danger to themselves or others.
You may contact the program coordinator if there are any questions regarding
the potential acceptability of an individual.
Applicants will be notified within one month after the on-site evaluation if
they have been accepted into the Taft College TIL Program. A letter of
acceptance will be sent to the student. Applicants not accepted may be
reevaluated at a later date.
Instruction
Upon admission to the TIL Program, the student moves into a residence hall
room and begin learning independent living skills. The students
participate in the program an average of 22 months. The program runs from
August 1 through June 30. All students have a 90 day probation period.
Staff works with each student to establish realistic long-range and
short-range goals. Individual Program Plans (IPP's) are then written to
assist students in attaining these goals.
Instruction is offered in the following areas:
Meal Preparation Money
ManagementShoppingHousekeeping
Use of AppliancesSafety CommunicationTransportation
Personal CareInterpersonal
Relationships
Graduation
 Students are eligible for graduation when they complete the
required course work and independently demonstrate the learned skills. At
that time, the TIL staff assists graduated students in transitioning into an
independent living situation in their home community. The TIL program
tracks all of our graduates for a 10 year period to measure outcomes of the
students and the program.
LINKS TO OTHER SITES
Link to
TIL Photo
Album Student
Success Services
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