The focus of the program is to help young adults with social and learning differences to acquire the skills needed to gain and retain employment, engage socially in their community, and have the skills and confidence to live independently.

Individuals who attend ADVANCE do not receive a degree or certificate. They receive coaching and gain experiences that lead to independent behaviors. While we do support students who wish to pursue college degrees or vocational certificates, our program is a whole person approach to independent living.

We cover global skills related to social awareness, executive function practices, decision making, and goal setting. We spend most of our time on the skills needed to achieve independence: gaining and retaining employment, using and managing transportation, budgeting and financial awareness, diet and basic culinary skills, mental and physical health maintenance, and home care and hygiene.

After completing our two-year program our students are either working or continuing their pursuit of college degree or certification. Some of these students engage us for additional task specific coaching or counseling.

Our approach to employment begins with core skills such as attentiveness, flexibility, and persistence. For this reason, we start all of our students in volunteering and internship environments. We don’t do this because they don’t already have some well-developed skills, but rather to address lagging skills that often result in challenges in the workplace or termination. We use seminars to anticipate issues and practice appropriate responses. We utilize on-site coaching to observe strengths and weaknesses in performance. Strong relationships with the student and the employer create an environment where skills and advocacy grow in relationship to the individual’s needs.

The core program is two years for most students. Tuition for the program is $15,000 per six months (January – June, July – December). Costs of the program will vary based on student progress over time.

The basic requirements are basic math skills, lack of addictions, and willingness to engage in the program. The most valuable attributes over time seem to be a desire to be independent, to give back to family and community, and an emerging sense of who they want to become.

Advance was born out of Gateway Academy High School tradition of developing people with social differences. Primary staff have over 50 years of experience in working with individuals with social and learning differences.

No, however staff do make visits to student residences to assist with organization and home hygiene. Staff coach students on being mindful neighbors and community members.

We use Apple products in our program: iPads are issued to the student when they enter the program. The devices are monitored to coach usage and provide location. The software that we use allows us to restrict time or content, if necessary.

We offer a variety of weekly social activities.

Parents participate in regular Advisory Calls (video conference call via ZOOM) with our counselor and their student to discuss their successes, challenges, and next steps. Of course, they can always email or call any of the staff for more detail about their student’s progress or program goals.