At Vista, each student is given the opportunity to do his or her best through a comprehensive and holistic training program tailored to meet individual needs. Each student has an individualized program plan prioritizing successful employment, independent living, satisfactory peer and interpersonal relationships, positive self-esteem, and community involvement. A hands on, experiential training model is used throughout all programs.
Students in the Entrance Program spend their first two years in Westbrook in the Residence, which provides a dormitory experience. Here they develop a foundation of adult thinking skills and basic living skills, to be able to move to greater independence. About 24 students are in this phase of the program.
The third year is spent in the Transition Apartments in Guilford and is designed to provide students with a structured, hands on experience to practice the skills needed to live in one’s own apartment. About 12 individuals live in this apartment building. Upon graduation from the Entrance Program, Vista students become Outreach Program members and live in their own apartment or house in the community. Vista believes that our students and Outreach members have tremendous potential to live in the community and to work successfully.
Life Skills Training
Independent living depends upon the acquisition of basic life skills. These include the key areas of money management, time management, independent travel, self-care, medication management, household
management, and food management. Life skills instructors and program counselors provide a team approach and evaluate acquisition of necessary skills using a functional skills model. The training format can be one-on-one or in seminars and group meetings. Life skills services are provided in The Residence, in the Transition Apartments and in Outreach members’ apartments.
Vocational Training
Vista works in partnership with 125+ firms and organizations in the community that provide training and employment opportunities in a broad spectrum of vocational settings. Upon their arrival at Vista, students begin vocational training immediately, at a level appropriate to their experience. Vocational functional skills are used as standards by which students are taught and evaluated as they progress through a series of training tracks.
Most students and Outreach Program members are competitively employed and work within the geographic area from New Haven to New London and north to Middletown, Connecticut. They work full time or part time and earn competitive wages. For students who need more intense and continuous levels of support on the job, assisted employment opportunities are provided with a job coach always on site to supervise the team effort.
- Track I focuses on pre-employment skills.
- Track II provides an internship experience and skills building.
- Track III is paid employment in a field that is best suited to personal needs and the level of vocational skills attained.
Social Development and Self Esteem
At Vista, helping students gain self confidence is of central importance to success in both work and independent living. Developing social judgement is part of Vista's curriculum which stresses positive, cooperative relationships and effective communication. Friendships and peer support are important too, so the skills necessary to make and retain friends are taught and practiced. Support is also provided to enhance coping skills and develop frustration tolerance, on the path to becoming successful adults.
Community Integration
Vista Outreach Program members have jobs, take public transportation or drive their own cars, live in their own apartments or a shared house, and function as productive citizens and good members of their local community. They join local organization such as churches, synagogues, classes and recreational activities, and attend civic events. They are customers as well as employees, and have been honored for their long term service as volunteers in local towns. At the same time, they are members of the Vista Community and continue to receive supports, as needed, from Vista.
Club Program and Recreational Activities
Vista Clubs are organized, staffed activities offered on a trimester calendar to all students or members on a first come, first served basis. Fees are shared by all participants. Offerings vary with the season and often include photography, sailing, bowling, drama, painting, hiking, tennis, crafts and a variety of dinner clubs.
Vista also offers physical and recreational activities as part of its regular programming, such as softball, basketball, aerobics, YMCA options, and walking. Additional recreational activities are provided on the weekends, such as picnics, bowling, concerts, shows, trips to amusement parks or baseball games, hikes and other opportunities to socialize and have fun together.
