(For workshop descriptions and more details, please visit the Fall Pathfinder webpage.)
IMPORTANT • ENTRANCE CRITERIAPLEASE READ THE ENTRANCE CRITERIA AND INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE FORM.
Beacons vocational workshops offer progress-monitored curriculum and training to help prepare individuals for employment, and comprehensive exploration of life and community options to help trainees develop person-driven plans for post workshop. To participate in a Pathfinder workshop, trainees must be interested in employment and have sufficient classroom skills to participate in a manner that does not impede their learning or that of the other trainees. Participants should be able to be respectful of others, have a positive attitude towards learning and have sufficient attention skills to stay engaged with instruction.
1. SELF-CARE
Trainees must be independent in their self-care skills. If they are unable to independently tend to their self-care, but are otherwise able to meet other entrance criteria, they must be accompanied by a trainee-provided personal care attendant if they wish to participate in the workshop.
2. PHYSICAL &/or MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
The pathfinder programs offer assistive technology and adapted tools to support those with intellectual and/or physical disabilities, but does not offer medical care or medical assistance onsite. Individuals with medical or mental health needs that require the support of a personal care attendant or who may at times require 1:1 support because of medical or other issues may attend if accompanied by a trained and self-provided personal care attendant authorized to tend to the medical and other needs of the trainee. Beacons staff does not administer medications or have emergency or medical response teams in place.
3. BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS
Trainees with a history of physical aggression resulting in or risking physical injury to others, self-injurious behaviors, damage to property, elopement, smearing of feces, displays of inappropriate sexual behavior, cursing, putting down others or bullying, defiance and/or other behaviors that impede the learning of self or others, or other disruptive or maladaptive behaviors, are NOT eligible for the Pathfinder program. Beacons does not have emergency response teams in place to address or support individuals with significant behavioral challenges.
Must also be respectful of other people's personal information (e.g. phone numbers, etc.) and agree not to use information that has been shared with them at Beacons with third parties, and/or other individuals.
4. TRANSPORTATION
Trainees must provide their own transportation to and from the workshop(s), although during the workshop trainees will work with staff to learn how to work with LIFT and other possible options.
For possible transportation options other than Lyft, Uber or the bus, please consider:
a. the NCTD Lift program (
adaride.com),
b. the Ride FACT program (
factsd.org),
c. Carlsbad Connector program (
https://www.carlsbadconnector.com),
d. the WAZE carpool organizer, and/or
e. the SDRC transportation voucher program (ask your service coordinator about this option, which can be used to pay others to transport a trainee to Beacons).
5. WORKSHOP READINESS
Our workshops are designed for applicants with mild/moderate disabilities with an interest in community employment or entrepreneurial endeavors. Applicants must be ready, able and willing to conduct themselves in a manner conducive to collaborative small group learning as well as at potential workforce placement. Applicants will need to tend to lessons, pose questions if needed, and follow and comply with instructional demands and instructor’s commands.
6. ATTENDANCE
ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED. Individuals who have vacations planned for a week or more during the instructional session are NOT eligible for this session. Individuals who are absent for more than 5 days may be exited from the program.
COST:
a) SDRC Funding: Vendor #PY1700/Service Code: 102/Subcode: Spring, Fall or Mini, depending on session.
To qualify for SDRC funding, applicants must be SDRC consumers aged 18 and older who have earned a diploma or aged out of the district. (Unless eligible for workshop funding through a SDRC exemption in their IPP under WIC § 4648.55, which allows funding of services even if the consumer is still enrolled in a district program if the consumer''s needs cannot be met in the educational system. An exemption determination is not within the control of Beacons, Inc. and must be resolved through the SDRC.)
b) DISTRICT Funding:
Students still in a district's ATP program or who are otherwise still eligible for district services under the age of 22 must have the workshop and funding approved via an IEP/ITP, settlement agreement or other document to be eligible (unless a SDRC exemption has been approved so that SDRC funding can be requested). For applicants still in an ATP program, discuss with the district's educational team whether dual enrollment is available through the IEP/ITP to meet the applicant's vocational training needs and goals under the U.S. Dept. of Education's "Increasing Postsecondary Opportunities and Success for Students with Youth and Disabilities" letter issued on 9/17/19.
c) SELF-DETERMINATION Funding:
Please contact your independent facilitator or contact Pathfinder@BeaconsNorthCounty. IPP should have a vocational goal and the spending plan should have sufficient funding set aside to cover costs. If vocational training was not originally contemplated in the Independent Budget or spending plan, please contact your service coordinator or independent facilitator to discuss the need for additional funding.
HOW TO RESERVE A SPOT?
Workshops fill up quickly. If interested in a workshop, please compete the following steps:
1. Submit this application to start the enrollment process;
2. Send us a copy of the applicant's IPP and "CDER" (Client Development Evaluation Report) from the SDRC;
3. Complete the Waiver forms available on the Spring Pathfinder webpage.
DOES SUBMISSION OF THIS APPLICATION RESERVE A SPACE?
Submission of this application will reserve a spot in a workshop if the applicant is accepted. However, this application is only the first step in the enrollment process. Before an applicant can be accepted, this application must be reviewed by the Beacons PathFinder team to explore each applicant's workshop readiness, interest in employment, and eligibility. After this initial review, a Beacons representative will contact the person completing this form by email and/or by telephone within five (5) business days to discuss next steps.
RESTRICTIONS: Beacons workshops are not sufficiently staffed or designed for individuals with a history of elopement, bullying, disruptive behaviors, self injurious behaviors or behaviors that are likely to injure others, consistent refusals to follow instructions, or who have medical or other issues that require 1:1 assistance or monitoring.
IF AFTER BEGINNING A WORKSHOP A TRAINEE DEMONSTRATES THAT SHE/HE/THEY DOES NOT MEET THE ENTRANCE CRITERIA, the trainee's continued participation in the workshop will be revisited to determine if the workshop is suitable to meet the needs of the applicant/trainee and whether trainee remains eligible to stay in the workskhop.
If a trainee wishes to provide his/her own trained support, please contact us to discuss. Thank you!
COVID-19 MEASURES:
Beacons is a worksite that follows Cal/OSHA and CDPH safety standards. Trainees must comply with directives from the state and/or local authorities, or instituted by the Beacons Board of Directors. Masks are highly recommended at this time by the County, but are not currently required. Individuals MAY NOT ATTEND workshops if they have symptoms of illness (running nose, headache, fever, cough, diarrhea, chills or aches and other symptoms reflecting a possible illness). Individuals will be sent home if they show signs of illness onsite.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact!
