AIM is a post graduate transition program for young adults with special needs, preparing them for living within their community. Our program is designed to establish a vision for the future for our students, increasing their ability to live a joy filled and meaningful life. Acquisitions of work skills, attainment of life skills and the ability to live independently are the cornerstones of our post graduate transition program.
The program is a post graduate transition program for Paola USD 368. AIM is housed on the Lakemary Paola main campus.
During the morning block, students are out in the community or on campus working on their vocational experience sites to enhance their employment skills.
The afternoon session focuses on building competence in transition and individual IEP goals. They include post-secondary education/training, community access, communication development, social skills, recreation/leisure, and independent living Some students will have a schedule that is reversed for their day.
Our campus training center provides our students with the opportunity to receive valuable hands-on career training and preparations for their individual vocational experiences. Staff provide services in community employment opportunities; students gain work-related skills in off and on campus settings and within the surrounding communities. These partnerships provide career exploration and vocational training for our students. Students interact with AIM supervisors, coworkers and staff at each of the vocational sites.
Vocational experience areas can include administrative, clerical and office operations, childcare, food service, laundry service, library services, office work, recycling, retail clothing operations, and technology.
AIM’s goal is for students to be able to utilize their skills, abilities, interests, and experiences to locate a job in the community. Students will learn the necessary actions to take to become valued and successful employees and ways to become responsible members of the community.
Student placement at AIM is a team decision based on an Individual Educational Plan (IEP).
To be eligible, students must have needs in at least one of the IEP transition areas:
Students are supported throughout their day by special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and specialists, as outlined in the IEP’s.
Kirk Davis, M.S.
Robin Huffman, MAE
Instructional Leader/Assessment Coordinator
913.535.4721
100 Lakemary Drive
Paola, KS 66071
913.557.4000