Transitional Skills Center: An Indepth Look

We use a research-based, well-rounded curriculum delivered in an engaging daily schedule that addresses real-world challenges and goals. Our half-day program offers flexibility and ongoing growth, customized for each participant.

We have three domains within our comprehensive, interdisciplinary curriculum. And each domain has various competencies and sub-competencies in addition to learning modules. 

In our simulated life settings, our participants develop practical skills. They progress through a series of activities designed for their abilities and goals. The key is building on the skills they develop. 

Moreover, they have the unique opportunity to form lasting friendships with peers from across the region. Overall, they benefit from a clearer path beyond transition for their personal and professional aspirations to live as independently as possible. 

On this virtual tour of MyCIL’s TSC, you will see first-hand how our flexible and customizable program helps students like yours succeed in their independent living goals.

Our participants practice working in a group. They’re developing the soft and executive skills they’ll need for more independent living or go out into the world of work. 

The flexibility and personalization that our program offers means your student can focus on what aligns with their goals. That could be work skills, social skills, independent living skills or a combination of all three. 

From daily living and interpersonal relationships to employment, your student can concentrate on what they need to live their best lives. 

Working together, we’ll help your student reach their fullest potential.

These integrated employment opportunities provide our participants with insight into their career choices, empower them to gain independence, strengthen their teamwork skills and build their confidence in a group environment. 

Our participants visit businesses and public offices to learn about many different jobs.  They also learn the value of service to the community these experiences can offer. These experiences also illustrate the value of service to our community.

Community-Based Learning Experiences are very beneficial for participants.

Your student will be out and about in the community, practicing their skills while developing new ones, including soft skills, such as problem-solving, decision-making and team-building.

We have a door-to-door drop-off and pick-up point at the rear of the building. This entrance and exit area has a canopy-style doorway that protects participants during inclement weather. TSC team members are there to greet your student as they enter each day.

There’s no denying this is an exciting place. And there can be times throughout the day when our participants may need a break from the busy activities. Our sensory room is designed just for that. It’s a quiet, soothing environment to receive support or work through any emotional or behavioral needs.

And for our learning settings, we have several rooms for group facilitation. We can also configure them as a conference room for meetings or mock interviews.

Our group activities help develop team building skills while teaching about team dynamics. Thanks to these group activities, our participants learn more decision-making and problem-solving skills and  better communicate in social settings — key to success in the workplace

Our participants even learn how to follow and interpret directions with music and practice mindfulness. 

During Recreation & Wellness we also promote the importance of a healthy lifestyle. This includes well-rounded and diverse styles of exercise and nutrition. 

Through the activities in our Recreation & Wellness component we help our participants enhance their fine motor abilities, improve their social interactions, and build on their problem-solving and team-building skills. 

The Recreation & Wellness component is just one part of our well-rounded curriculum at MyCIL’s Transitional Skills Center. 

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 participants.

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.

It’s in the kitchen where our participants also bake and create prepared goods for small-business experience in the community.

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, our participants learn the culinary and kitchen safety skills they need for independent living. In our commercial kitchen, our participants can prepare 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 improve their social capacities as well. Our participants work together to create delicious dishes from beginning to end, including kitchen cleanup. In our kitchens, your student gets hands-on experience for real-world living.

Our team creates a positive, communal environment while inviting social participation, nurturing a sense of belonging, and encouraging nonverbal bonding.

We promote these valuable forms of expressive communication through visual, tactile, and written activities, all rooted in self-reflection.

And with Petals Presents: A Hands-On Flower Arranging Demonstration, our participants go to assisted living facilities and hold flower arranging workshops for residents and their families.

TSC Is Spreading Petals helps build confidence for our participants. It provides a sense of giving back, while giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents. And that builds their self-esteem.

They’re also improving their confidence when it comes to communicating with others. A big piece of that is developing soft skills, which includes feeling comfortable going into a setting that’s outside of their comfort zone. This TSC Venture offers just that.

In addition to TSC Is Spreading Petals, we have other TSC Ventures your student could be a part of. Here at MyCIL’s TSC, our participants also enjoy participating in our participant-run coffee mobile shop, called TSC Is a Latte Fun. They do it all, from shopping and baking everything to stocking the coffee cart, taking requests and filling orders.

Programs like TSC Is Spreading Petals and TSC Is a Latte Fun help tie it all together for our participants. 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.

After shopping at a local grocery store, they log the data into our register database using the store receipt. They use simulated money to buy the items, and also work the register that has a real conveyer belt and scanner

In our warehouse section, they learn how to sort, take inventory and stock warehouse items.

At MyCIL’s TSC, we’re helping our participants reach independent living goals through hands-on experiences.

We’re also here to help your student, should they need extra support.

By giving your student support, they have the tools to live as independently as possible.

If they’re chosen for a Work-Based Learning Experience, they’ll even 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 experience.