Where We’re Helping Develop Independent Living Skills for Teens
Welcome to the Transitional Skills Center
Welcome to MyCIL’s Transitional Skills Center. It’s the only facility of its kind in the area with simulated life settings for developing real-life skills. We empower students with all kinds of disabilities — ages 14-21 — to reach their independent living goals.
At the Transitional Skills Center, we serve students from school districts throughout Northeastern PA. In our state-of-the-art facility, students learn social, life and pre-employment skills through hands-on, real-life experiences. We feature a comprehensive, engaging daily schedule.
Your student can reach his or her life goals, whether that’s:
- Competitive Employment
- Integrated Employment
- Post-Secondary Education
- Self-Determination Skills, or Independent Living
When your student attends the TSC, they benefit from a personalized program. Our skilled facilitators and counselors work together to create an individualized program that’s designed specifically for your student’s unique needs, goals, strengths and challenges.
Working together, we’ll help your student reach his or her fullest potential. Our well-rounded curriculum will help your student develop key skills. Depending on your student’s goals, they can focus on work skills, social skills or independent living skills. Or a combination of all three.
Our program also includes community-based instruction. This is very beneficial for the students and school districts who need to comply with the “Least Restrictive Environment” Component of the IEP.
Your student will be out and about in the community, practicing their skills while developing new ones, including soft skills, such as socializing.
Another key component of our curriculum is Recreation & Wellness. Through engaging in physical activities, students improve their mental and physical well-being. In addition to these skill-building opportunities, your student also has the opportunity to have one-on-one sessions with our social worker on staff.
Develop Key Skills in a Welcoming and Calming Environment
At the TSC, we create a welcoming, calming environment so students can develop the independent living skills they need to live their lives to the fullest. And that starts with how we welcome them each day.
We have a door-to-door drop-off and pick-up point at the rear of the building. This entrance and exit area is uniquely designed with a canopy style door way, which protects the students during inclement weather. A TSC team member will greet your student.
The TSC is an exciting place. There are times throughout the day that students may need a break from the daily busy activities. Our sensory room is a safe and calming place to receive support or work through any emotional or behavioral needs.
The Transitional Skills Center has several rooms for individual and group instruction. We can configure them to look like a traditional classroom, or even a conference room for meetings.
Improve Physical Health and Mental Well-being
Physical movement isn’t just key to improving our bodies —it’s also crucial for mental well-being. That’s why we have recreation & wellness at the TSC.
We work with students on team building and organizing team dynamics. With these skills, students are better able to communicate socially. They are also key skills for success in the workplace. Not only do students enjoy the benefits of exercising, but they also learn about team sports such as soccer, basketball and baseball.
Enhance Independent Living and Pre-employment Skills in Our Kitchens
If the kitchen is the heart of the home, our kitchen and dining component is no exception. Students gather here to make delicious meals and then enjoy them together.
We have two residential kitchens with dining rooms, as well as a commercial kitchen that features everything you’d see at any restaurant in the area, from the grill to the commercial stovetop to the industrial dishwasher.
In our residential kitchen, students learn the culinary skills they need for independent living.
In our commercial kitchen, students can develop the skills they’d need for competitive employment, whether that’s a career in building and maintenance, culinary, or food service.
Not only do they develop pre-employment and independent living skills, but they also hone their social skills. Students work together to create delicious dishes from beginning to end including kitchen cleanup.
With our simulated kitchens, your student gets hands-on experience for real-world living.
Make Delicious Baked Goods and Other Products — Then Sell Them
At the Transitional Skills Center, your student is allowed the opportunity to experience what it’s like being part of a business. One program students may choose to be involved in is called TSC is the Balm.
With this program, students can make lip balm, moisturizer and other bath products, then package them and sell them to our staff and in local stores.
Your student can participate every step of the way, from taking orders and making the products, to packaging them and delivering the orders.
The students here at the TSC also enjoy participating in our student-run coffee shop, called TSC is a Latte Fun.
Twice a week we set it up at MyCIL’s administrative offices, and the students do it all, from baking everything and stocking the shop,
to taking and filling orders. They’re even responsible for cleaning the coffee shop.
Programs like TSC is a Latte Fun, TSC is for the Dogs — our dog treat line — and TSC is the Balm help tie it all together for students.
It’s a chance for them to practice in a real-world setting the skills they’re developing. And the funds they raise are used to support and grow these programs.
Learn How to Navigate the Community With Our Transportation Training
One of the greatest challenges that people with disabilities face is getting from place to place in our community. At the Transitional Skills Center, we want to change that.
Our transportation training will show your student how to use all forms of transportation available to them. Your student will learn how to use public transportation, including understanding bus routes and using fare. We also review Uber, Lift and other ride services, including County Shareride.
If your student has a realistic goal of driving, our state-of-the-art driving simulator can help prepare them to take their permit test. The simulator has its own lesson plan. Your student will progress through a series of lessons with the goal of going out and getting a permit and, in the end, hopefully a license.
Get Life Skills and Pre-Employment Training in Our Residential and Commercial Bedrooms
At the Transitional Skills Center, we have simulated areas where students can learn life skills as well as receive pre-employment training. For instance, students can practice tidying up a room and doing laundry in our mock residential bedroom, but it also serves as a simulated hotel room.
We even have a full bathroom where your students can learn how to properly clean and disinfect.
In our simulated hospital or nursing home room, your student can develop pre-vocational skills for the healthcare industry, such as non-medical attendant care.
Through hands-on learning in our simulated areas, your student gets real-life skills.
Develop Pre-Employment and Life Skills in Our Store and Warehouse
At MyCIL’s Stock & Shop — our retail and warehouse space — your student can learn how to shop, work a register, stock shelves and much more.
Students do it all. They go to a real grocery store and buy items. Then using the receipt, they log the data into our register database. They stock the shelves work the register that has a real conveyor belt and scanner and use simulated money to buy the items.
In our warehouse section, students learn how to sort, inventory and stock warehouse items. They also learn how to iron and fold clothes for retail.
At the Transitional Skills Center, we’re helping your student reach independent living goals through hands-on experiences.
Learn Sustainable Farming Techniques
At TSC, your student can learn sustainable farming techniques in our hydroponic room and outdoor garden.
Since November of 2017, we have been working with a hydro farm to develop our own hydroponic garden. Through this program, your student can enhance their skills for employment in agriculture.
Students follow a curriculum developed by a local business, learning how to do pH readings, keep records and more.
And to tie it all together, students can use what they grow in our indoor and outdoor gardens to create delicious meals right here in our kitchens. It’s the big picture of farm to table. They can be a part of it from growing the food to enjoying the meal together.
Using the outside garden in the summer and the indoor hydroponics farm throughout the school year helps students learn and understand commitment, patience and independence.
Get Professional, Individualized Support
Our professional counselors and social workers make sure students receives the one-on-one support needed to overcome challenges and reach life goals.
We meet on an individual basis with the students to address any concerns before escalated behaviors occur. We’re also there to help your student, should they need extra support with strong emotions.
By giving your student individualized support, they have the tools they need to reach their life goals.
Next Step: A Work-Based Learning Experience Lets You Use the Skills You’ve Developed
At the Transitional Skills Center, students can experience a real-world employment atmosphere, thanks to our Work-Based Learning and Job Shadowing opportunities.
We partner with the Wilkes-Barre Office of Vocational Rehabilitation — or OVR for short — to offer students these experiences at either MyCIL or other local businesses.
Through Work-Based Learning or Job Shadowing, students learn about new professions. They discover what they’re good at and decide what they like.
If they’re chosen for a Work-Based Learning Experience, they’ll earn an actual paycheck for their work, funded by OVR. If obtaining employment is a realistic goal for your student, call us today at 570-207-9101 to discuss the possibility of a Work-Based Learning or Job Shadowing experience.
Get a Personal Tour
Contact Us Today
We invite you to schedule a personal tour of our facility, so you can see firsthand how we develop independent living skills for teens and young adults. Contact us today at 570-207-9101 to schedule yours.
Call
Contact a Team Member
Sue Sileo
Director of Transition Services
ssileo@mycil.org
Scranton, PA
18509