This aspect of service to students includes guidance and counseling, testing, transition planning through rehabilitation counseling, Motivational Wage Work Program, and related services of occupational, physical, and speech therapy services. In addition, psychological services are provided to students on a consultant basis, including psycho-educational evaluations. Personnel of this department are responsible for processing referrals and admissions, and for coordinating evaluations, staffings, and student placement. The school is viewed as an alternative, appropriate placement for visually impaired and multi-disabled children and young adults who can benefit from the variety of services available. The purpose of the school is to supplement existing services and to provide a total education and home life program when these are not available at the local level. The Academy's relationship with schools and other agencies is based on a spirit of cooperation which provides the most appropriate placement for the persons served.
The Guidance Program interfaces with the Home Life Program, the Vocational and Transition Programs, the Motivational Wage Work component, and the Early Childhood, Middle School, and Secondary Education Programs in personal and social counseling. Guidance curriculum from the Georgia Department of Education is integrated into classroom instruction by collaborative teaching with the Guidance counselor. Numerous group counseling topics are implemented with permission of parents. A Second Step curriculum which is endorsed by the Georgia School Counselors Association teaches children empathy, impulse control, and anger management. The goal of this program is to build problem-solving and social skills. A Body Rights curriculum is designed and adapted to meet social and emotional needs of disabled children. It is a guide to teaching young children to protect themselves from abuse and exploitation.
Through the leadership of the test coordinator, educational data is gathered by means of achievement and adaptive testing, teacher and houseparent interviews, and classroom observations, as well as through consultation with the psychologist. Parental input combines with information gathered at the school level to yield an essential resource for planning the Individualized Educational Program. Another aspect of the test coordinator's service is that of the Motivational Wage Work Program, whereby students receive career counseling as well as job opportunities ranging from volunteer service jobs to off campus, paid employment. Job placements transition students to the world of work after high school completion.
A natural liaison exists between the Academy and the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Rehabilitation Services. A rehabilitation counselor for the blind who is housed at the Academy is charged with the responsibility of student transition planning for vocational and college opportunities. Under this umbrella, the Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center, Sensory Center, Mental Health\Mental Retardation, Local School Systems, various industries for the blind, and other regional rehabilitation and health facilities are available to Academy students. Programs are planned for individual students in conjunction with parents and rehabilitation counselors.
Occupational, physical, and speech therapy meet the individual needs of eligible students. Individual and collaborative instruction in the classroom facilitate the student's progress to a level of independence without therapy. Adaptive equipment and devices are designated and utilized for students with specific physical needs. Water therapy, adapted equipment and augmentative speech items promote students' abilities.
There are a variety of services available through short-term placements. Services that are available are: Braille instruction, Orientation & Mobility, Assistive Technology, Disability Specific Classes and Community Based Vocational Training. Students are enrolled for a period of 4,6 or 9 week sessions. Students are enrolled for an intense program in the specific area of need. For more information contact the office of Pupil Personnel Services at 478-751-6085.