A Curriculum for Independence
Scaleable & Affordable:
Classes are included in the NextWork Residential Program or may be taken separately at $500 each.
At Columbus NextWork, our classes are each designed so that they can be taught one-on-one or in a group. Each term, 5 classes will be offered in the classroom at NextWork. These classes will be different each term. Any student who wants to join these classes may join (limit 10 students per class), but they must follow the same schedule as the instructors.
Each term is 3 months long and coincides with fiscal quarters. (e.g. Jan. Feb. Mar. = 1 quarter) The 5 classes taught in the classroom are the only classes that are taught according to a specific schedule. These classes all include lecture, curriculum, homework, and are hosted on Canvas. They are designed to teach concepts. Assignments may involve practical application. You should plan on one hour per week, per class. Classes that are not taught in the classroom are available for any student to take at any time and are taught individually through zoom.
These individual classes are scheduled according to instructor availability. Though students may take any class, we recommend that the classes are taken in a certain order, as the curriculum is scaffolded and increases in complexity.
Labs: Some classes include labs. These all include practical application of a concept, and are done in person at NextWork. This may involve a demonstration of a skill with an opportunity for the student to try the skill. Labs are a required portion of the classes. Reasonable accommodations are acceptable, so advocate for your own needs!
In-person classes are designed with three components—informational (lecture/ demonstration/ or typical classroom representation), hands-on learning (students explore skills in a small group and get an opportunity to demonstrate what they learned in the informational portion, with the group), and individualized learning. Individualized learning is best addressed as homework or in a follow-up meeting with a life-skills coach. Students may schedule time with a life-skills coach for an additional fee.
CLASS OVERVIEW
Our Classes Cover Five Core Subjects for Independent Living:
Living on my Own | Financial Literacy | Self Management | Employment | Health, Hygiene, and Nutrition | Relationships
LIVING ON MY OWN
Students learn everything from keeping their apartment clean to being good neighbors, being safe in the community, making their own doctor appointments, refilling their own medications, completing their annual Medicaid review, and self-advocating in difficult situations. We also teach that living on your own doesn’t mean you never ask for help.
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Students learn about problem solving with money, budgeting, saving, protecting your information, and creating a personal financial plan.
SELF MANAGEMENT
This core subject focuses on skills needed to manage thoughts, emotions and behavior. These skills are key to being a successful adult and are perhaps the most important skills we teach. This topic includes Executive Function, Cognitive Behavioral Techniques, and self-care through mindfulness and meditation.
EMPLOYMENT
Employment is the primary way that we all contribute to the community. Every job is important, and a career isn’t built overnight. We teach our students to be realistic about employment and use their existing skills to work hard and work their way up to jobs that better fit their desires.
HEALTH, HYGIENE, NUTRITION
Physical health and mental health go hand in hand. Students may not recognize it, but their personal hygiene is vital to good health as well.
RELATIONSHIPS
We all live in a community, and that means being aware of how we affect those around us. This course focuses on making friends, dating, sexuality, dealing with breakups, and important issues with sexual harassment and reading relationship cues.
JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER (CLASSES START JULY 10TH)
This class is about self-management to increase your independence. We use Cognitive Behavioral Techniques to help students address common problems in adulthood and prepare t hem to manage these problems through self-advocacy and their community supports.
JULY: 10 | 17 | 31
AUG: 7 | 14 | 21 | 28
SEPT: 11 | 18 | 25
This class is about preparing for employment in the community. Learn about recognizing your skills and how to apply them to the workplace, how to disclose your accommodation needs and advocate for yourself, and how to manage the requirements of employment. You may even want to participate in our Learn to Work program to practice basic work skills.
JULY: 11 | 18 | 25
AUG: 1 | 8 | 15 | 22 | 29
SEPT: 5 | 12 | 19
This fun and active class will be held in different locations. Meet at Next Work and travel together into the community. There is an extra fee for this class because of the multiple trips to Park City and fee-based activities in the community
JULY 12: Sugarhouse Park Frisbee
JULY 19: Hiking in Millcreek Canyon
JULY 26: Holladay Lions Swimming Pool
AUGUST 2: National Ability Center (NAC) – Paddle sports
AUGUST 16: NAC Mountain biking – Round Valley
AUGUST 23: NAC Climbing
AUGUST 30: NAC Pickleball
SEPTEMBER 6: Miniature golf
SEPTEMBER 13: Murray Park walk
SEPTEMBER 20: Recreation Center
HOW TO REGISTER
To register for classes, fill out this registration form and return to Amy Wadsworth at: amy@nextworkacademy.org
CONTACT US
ADDRESS
3848 South West Temple | Suite 107
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84115
PHONE
385-715-5376