Life Development Institute - LDI serves to educate older adolescents and adults with learning disabilities.

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PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Programs & Services FAQ's - Back to Programs & Services

Programs & Services FAQ's

• Who is the primary point of contact for all student needs?

The student’s advisor is the primary point of contact.

• What credentials are Advisors required to have?

All advisors are required to have a master’s degree in either counseling, psychology, social work, education or in another field related to serving individuals with disabilities.

• What is the frequency of advisement meetings?

Usual once a week for an hour, or more often as needed.

• What is the appropriate role of parents/families involvement the student’s progress?
At LDI we use a team approach under the guidance of the advisors, with the parents
taking on a supportive role to the staff regarding their adult child’s progress in the
program.

• What is the most effective way to communicate with advisors?

The most effective way to communicate with the advisors is via e-mail and telephone, with e-mail being the preferred and fastest to get a response method.

• How are students evaluated?

Advisor and student draft a Plan of Action in the beginning of each year which identifies specific goals – based on the reports received, student identified issues, and the expectations of the team - as well as process of attainment. The plan further entails measurable outcomes which serve to evaluate student progress at the end of each year.

• Are regular progress reports provided to the parents?

We do provide reports to parents at trimester conferences.

• How are physician appointments, psychiatric appointments, dental appointments or
other appointments arranged?

Appointments are set up by our program coordinator on an as-needed basis. Insurance and other related information is provided to her for these purposes.

• What will LDI do if my son/daughter has a personal crisis?

In crisis situations, the advisor will assist the student in working through the issue. In the rare case that the advisor is unavailable, the student’s back-up advisor will be notified.

• Does my son/daughter have access to after-hour assistance?

We have a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week emergency cell phone, which is carried by the advisors as well as other experienced staff. Each student issue is handled individually, based on their personal crisis.

ACADEMIC

• If I want to know how my son/daughter is doing in their classes at LDI how do I
contact their instructors?

You would contact their student advisor who would have all of this information. Furthermore, you could arrange a conference call if needed with the instructor and advisor.

• What are the options for courses at LDI?

In the first year the student’s course options are Independence, Employability, Personal Growth/Development, Financial Literacy, and Leadership Development. The 2nd year courses are Resiliency, Adult Relationship Maintenance, Comprehensive Career Exploration and Planning, and Post-Employment Strategies.

• Do the students earn college credits for the courses at LDI?

Yes, up to eight hours for the first year students through their PVCC college classes that are a fixed elective. College bound students take additional courses outside of the LDI core based on individual goals and schedule availability.

• Is my son/daughter permitted to take additional classes at a college or vocational
school?

Yes, however most wait until their 2nd second semester or summer semester at
the end of the first year to begin this process.

• Are there any restrictions in regards to my son/daughter taking additional classes at
a college or vocational school?

Depending on their previous educational attainment and overall preparedness to move into this environment dictates where they would begin this process and how many hours they would take.

• Is tutoring available?

Tutoring is available both at LDI and if the students documented
disability qualifies them for accommodations under the ADA, at the college. Tutorial
support is available for all college students for certain courses, but does not automatically
entitle the additional accommodations specific to a disabling condition without current
documentation.

• Does LDI monitor and track a student’s academic progress?

Yes, through an advisor monthly inquiries and college faculty responding to our request for information.

• What are the qualifications of teaching skills for the teaching staff?

Our teaching staff must have a Master Degree and/or specializations in computer software applications.

JOB DEVELOPMENT & PLACEMENT

• What are the employment requirements in order to complete the LDI program?
The High School Program requirement is to work 120 consecutive days and save
$1000.00 of verifiable wages from the job through financial planning in order to earn a
High School Diploma. For Post-Secondary students, almost all students hold down a job
or volunteer internships throughout the program, and participate in financial planning by
taking on certain personal expenses and establishing credit in their name.

• Are there any restrictions on how many hours my adult child can work?

It varies from person to person and is dependent on how many hours in other program
activities/responsibilities they are committed to. Typically, the average student works 15-
24 hours per week in addition to other commitments such as college classes, LDI courses,
etc.

• When will my son/daughter begin to search for a job?

Usually the job search begins during the 2nd semester of the first year, but some of our students start searching for a job during the 1st semester, and again is based on the individual.

• Does LDI staff monitor and track a student’s “on the job” performance?

Yes, this is a requirement of the program to help determine how things are going on the job. Monthly tracking reports are sent to employers to provide feedback on performance and any issues needing attention.

• What happens when a student’s job is in jeopardy? LDI employment staff contact the
employer and set up a meeting to discuss what we can do to implement strategies to assist
in helping to enhance performance. In some cases, job coaching is recommended as a
way to investigate performance issues and work through them to improve output to the
satisfaction of the employer and student.

• What kind of jobs do students typically obtain?

Some students will be assisted by job development staff in finding all sorts of entry level part time jobs for basic work experience. Other students may be placed in part or full time positions that are directly related to their career goals. Job placement in either category is based on their preparedness to enter the competitive workforce and the availability of desired employment.

• Is there a dress code for employment related activities?

If so, what is the dress code? Your son/daughter will need appropriate clothes (business casual attire or business dress) for job interviews, school tours, mock interviews, job shadows, etc.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

• What is Financial Planning?

Financial planning was designed to teach students how to create a financially independent life teaching them skills such as budgeting, check writing, balancing a checkbook, credit, etc using tools such as online banking, calculators and Quicken.

• When will my son/daughter begin to meet with a Student Financial Planner?
Traditionally, financial planning starts when a student gets employed. Our experience has
shown that students tend to do better when actually managing real money as opposed to
simulations.

• How often is a student required to meet with their Student Financial Planner?

This varies depending on frequency of pay and the individual need of the student. The plan is set up based on number of paydays per month and cycle of bills to be paid or money to be set aside for personal goals.

• Can my son/daughter have a credit card?

We strongly recommend that your son/daughter not have a credit card, and have found that at times this can hinder our progress in financial planning.

• Can my son/daughter utilize their pre-established bank account?

Yes, provided the student allows us to work together to check balances and follows all other requirements of financial planning.

• What if my son/daughter doesn’t have a bank account?

Part of financial planning is being able to have a checking and savings account. The student will open one once financial planning has started.

• How do we track progress?

Progress is tracked using a plan of action which is supported by our face to face meetings and monthly documentation. ADVISEMENT

• Who is the primary point of contact for all student needs?

The student’s advisor is the primary point of contact.

• What credentials do the Advisors and have?

All advisors are required to have a master’s degree in either counseling, psychology, social work, education or in another field related to serving individuals with disabilities.

• What is the frequency of advisement meetings?

Usual once a week for an hour, or more often as needed.

• What is the most effective way to communicate with advisors?

The most effective way to communicate with the advisors is via e-mail and telephone, with e-mail being the preferred and fastest to get a response method.

• How are students evaluated?

• Are regular progress reports provided to the parents?

Not in the manner of formal reports or “grades”; however, parents are kept informed of their adult child’s progress via email and conference calls (at the end of each semester).

• What will LDI do if my son/daughter has a personal crisis?

In crisis situations, the advisor will assist the student in working through the issue. In the rare case that the advisor is unavailable, the student’s back-up advisor will be notified.

• Does my son/daughter have access to after-hour assistance?

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

• What happens if my daughter/son cannot remember to take necessary medication?
Our residential staff can’t provide medication management outside of making their
medication available and to provide access to them on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
When gaps in taking medication as prescribed occur, staff work with student and
communicate with family once we find that this is occurring.

• Is LDI staff licensed to dispense medication?

LDI is not licensed to dispense medication. We are not a therapeutic program with clinical services or staff.

• Is Residential Staff available 24 hours a day 7 days a week?

No, Residential staff are normally available from 7:30am to 9:00pm Saturday staff is on duty for 8 hours depending on when and what the activity is that weekend. If an issue arises when staff is not available there is an emergency cellular phone that students can contact for immediate assistance.

• Must my daughter/son have a roommate?

No, however is it recommended for our younger or socially inexperienced 1st year students as it may help with the transition into their new environment and provides an additional opportunity to develop stronger inter- personal skills.

• How do you choose roommates?

Roommates are determined by reviewing the student’s files and are then matched based on their personalities and interests as often as possible.

• What if my son/daughter and their roommate are incompatible?

Students work with their Advisors to reconcile their differences; however, depending on severity of conflict, roommates changes can be arranged.

• What if my son/daughter needs extra help leaning independent living skills?

If a student or parent requests, or if staff recognizes a need, a residential student mentor will be assigned to the student. The mentor will regularly meet with the student, at least once a week for one on one skills training, whether it is to learn how to properly due laundry, developing organization skills, or creating a cleaning schedule.

• My son/daughter has never planned meals before; will someone be able to help with
this?

Students learn to plan meals through cooking class instruction and curriculum.
Individualized assistance is available upon request.

• How long must my daughter/son attend cooking class?

It is recommended that all students attend cooking class throughout the Post-Secondary Program; however, depending on their skill level, they may receive permission to test out.

• How often are apartment inspections done?

Apartment inspections are done once a week.

• Who is responsible for maintaining the apartments?

Students are responsible for maintaining their own apartments as being part of an adult program, but they will receive guidance from their advisor and from residential staff regarding what we consider safe and healthy living conditions. Ultimately, the living conditions in the student apartment are the sole responsibility of the student.

• What should a student do if there is a maintenance issue at their apartment?
Students need to contact Residential staff to have a work order submitted. The apartment
complex maintenance personnel usually respond within 24 hours.

• Can my son/daughter have a maid?

It is not recommended, but special consideration may be given in instances where there are executive functioning issues that impact organization or task sequencing/completion which might necessitate outside assistance.

• How do the students get to the grocery store?

Residential staff provides weekly van rides to the grocery store.

• Does my son/daughter have to ride in the van on grocery trips?

Yes, until otherwise approved by their advisor. This provides staff with an opportunity to establish a level of competency in developing a reasonably complete and healthy shopping list and purchases.