Many parents of children with disabilities worry about the perceived barriers that accompany their diagnosis. From academic struggles, the ability to develop healthy friendships or the likelihood of living independently, parents feel the pressures associated with seeking and applying the necessary resources to allow their children to have the greatest successes in life.

Although resources exist, barriers remain in the connectivity of families to the resources in a timely, effective and sometimes affordable manner. Despite the overwhelming research that suggests greater successes with receiving services at an early age, many families are not getting connected to support services until their child is transitioning from high school to adulthood.

A five-year, $330,000 Focus Grant from the Ausherman Family Foundation will enable Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley’s (GIMV) to launch the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP!). It will focus on the goals of independence, employability, and socialization starting at age 15, in the home, teaching not only the child, but the parents.  The child will be held accountable in the home to learn age appropriate care and independence tasks.  Parents will learn earlier to expect and not protect, allowing the child to develop home independence and selfcare skills at an earlier age.  The child grows in confidence and self-esteem which multiplies the positive outcomes. The long- term results are readiness skills for living arrangements away from parents and closer to work, getting all a bit closer to solving the current housing and transportation issue that exists for disabled adults.   

Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley’s (GIMV) Youth Empowerment Program aims to assist students in the recognition of the various roles that are required of them, building character in each student’s personal journey for self-determination and independence. The youth will develop accountability by achievement of expectations in life skills and vocational endeavors, fostering a positive transition into adulthood. GIMV’s holistic service delivery model is designed to prepare youth for this transition by development in Safety & Wellness, Life Skill Development, Friendships & Family, Recreation, Spirituality, Education, Money Management, Pre-employment and Transportation reflected within the Personal Development Plan. Goodwill’s strength is its intensive employment services which ensure that each youth’s barriers are explored, and an appropriate plan is developed to move towards future employment in an area of interest and ability.

Through partnerships, youth and their families will be connected to community resources based on each family unit’s needs. For example, families will have the opportunity to link with a partnership that connects the youth and their family with mentoring services, providing socialization for both the parents and the student. Services will also be available for educational support in the transitional life of an adolescent with disabilities.

The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP!) aims to create a model that can be replicated by provider organizations statewide.