The Entrance Program is designed for students transitioning from home or a secondary school program.
The Entrance Program
Comprehensive services, tuition-based
- 2 years in The Residence (dormitory style living), in Westbrook, Connecticut
- 1 year in the Transition Apartments (apartment living), in Guilford, Connecticut
Most students graduating from The Entrance Program will progress to Outreach I.
Outreach I
Fee for service program
- Menu of services selected to meet the needs of the member who is living independently in his/her own individual apartment or house
- Program counseling, service coordination, and life skills instruction are included and required
Outreach II is designed for members who need a greater level of structure and support after graduating from the Entrance Program.
Outreach II
Comprehensive services, tuition-based
- Tuition-based program that provides a greater level of support and structure
- An on site emergency contact person is available overnight
- Program counseling, service coordination, life skills instruction and vocational services are included
When appropriate, students who are able to function independently in the community progress to The Community Support Program.
The Community Support Program
Fee for service program
- Available through an application process to provide limited services to those students who are able to function very independently in the community
- Program counseling and service coordination by Vista are not required, but a contact person in the local community must be identified
P R O G R A M G O A L S
Vista helps adults with disabilities to:
- work successfully
- live more independently
- gain self-esteem
- develop friendships
- enhance work and leisure time
- understand their strengths and weaknesses
- develop basic life skills
- become involved in the community
P R O G R A M P H I L O S O P H Y
- At Vista, each individual student is important.
- Vista focuses on the whole person, in four major areas: work, independent living, social development and self-esteem, and community involvement.
- Each student has a counselor to assist in developing and achieving individual goals.
- Students, their families and Vista's staff form a team to ensure successful attainment of goals.
- Vocational services are an integral part of the program, as Vista works with each individual to foster a career.
- All staff help students establish satisfactory relationships and develop positive self-esteem.
- Students at Vista are considered to be a family and are taught to trust and respect each other.
- The need to be interdependent with one's community is as important as the skills of independence.
- Students are viewed as "works in progress" as they grow and develop new skills.
- Services may be as short as a few months or long-term.
