SAILS

“Students Achieving Independent Living Skills”

The SAILS program is tailored to each student’s strengths, interests and abilities. With the support and guidance of the SAILS staff, students will come away with increased independence and confidence resulting in securing meaningful relationships with employers and community members.   

Vocational Training

Students will engage in real world vocational experiences along with pre-employment training and internships to formulate the skills they need as they move into the world of the working adult.

Local businesses have so much to offer our students

Career Exploration: Students identify the different types of jobs or tasks they would like to try.

Job Tours: Students will see the workings of local businesses, their culture and the different jobs that are offered

Job Shadowing: Pairing a student with a worker to observe first-hand how different tasks are done.  Meeting other employees, and learning what skills are needed

Non-paid work:  Student work along side the employee to try new jobs and learn new tasks

Volunteering: This career exploration activity is another way to give students job experience and build their resumes

Schedule: The SAILS staff will work collaboratively with local business to develop a schedule that works best for them

Support: All students are supported throughout their day by a SAILS Job Coach. 

What businesses will gain

Recognition: Builds community awareness and public approval

Culture: Creates acceptance, diversity and inclusion

Stress Free: Lightens workloads which leads to less absenteeism

Positivity: Develops a welcoming work environment.  Hiring increases

New Customers: A broader customer base equals increased revenue

Community Connections

Students will also participate in functional activities designed to expand their knowledge of independent living skills such as travel training, money management, nutrition, health and wellness, self-advocacy, post-secondary education, and volunteerism while developing community connections.  With these advanced skills, students will come away with the knowledge of what their communities have to offer. This also gives the students a sense of belonging and commonality with those who have the same interests. Encouraging students to think outside the box allows for experiences they never knew existed or were possible. 

Schedule

The SAILS transition program follows a 10-month school schedule for students aged 18-21 along with an option of an Extended School Year (ESY) program for students aged 14-21. 

For those students aged 18-21 who may need tailored support in order to succeed, SAILS also provides the option to access between one or five days of programming per week based upon level of need. With the support and guidance of the SAILS staff and school districts alike this comfortably eases the student from their classroom into a transition-focused setting. 

SAILS students also have the opportunity to engage in a hybrid program model through partnership and on-site support with post-secondary opportunities such as the Excel Program at Bridgewater State University or Massasoit’s MAIPSE program. 

Referrals, Transportation and Related Services

Students are referred to the SAILS program through their school district’s special education department.  The staffing ratio is based upon the student’s level of need. 

Transportation is provided by the students’ sending district. 

Related services, as recommended in a students’ IEP, may include speech and language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision services, orientation and mobility services, and/or behavioral consultation. 

Transition Assessments

Transition Assessments are also provided by the North River Collaborative SAILS program team and are available to both students attending the program and students attending other in-district or out-of-district programs.  These assessments serve to make recommendations specific to the strengths and educational vision held by the student, their family, and the team of educators supporting them.