2011: Year in Review - Homes

Seth Nesmith

Residential Program Continues to Develop Independency

Heartspring’s residential program had a good year for the 2010-11 school year. We had 48 students living on campus and another three students living in our off-campus home, G7, which means all of our beds were full and our staff was kept busy.

We were pleased with the success of our off-campus home that opened last year. A couple of students had successful transitions to adult programs from G7, all due to the hard work of the staff and students in the off-campus home.

On campus, our paraeducators continued to serve the needs of our residential students. Our home coordinators, home coordinator assistants and paraeducators worked diligently to help our students gain as much independence in their lives as possible to prepare them for life after Heartspring.

Our group home staff follows the same programs and plans that are used in the school to ensure that our services are consistent and high quality. Our students work on self-care skills, do daily chores, work on their goals, programs and participate in many outings into the community on weeknights and weekends. Wichita has been supportive of our cause and our students enjoy the many resources it provides for us. It is important for our students to get out into the community in order for them to be able to generalize the skills and tools they learn at Heartspring.

Students take a break from life in the group homes to interacting within the community. They were able to venture out and explore nature at the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita.

Parents Attend Prom with Students

In May, parents visited their kids at Heartspring for a fun-filled weekend of activities, including a prom made possible by the Kansas State Council of Epsilon Sigma Alpha. Parents also got to watch their kids compete in the Special Olympics during Parents Weekend for the first time.

Fall Festival

The Fall Festival was a hit this year, as students got to participate in an assortment of activities. They also grew and took care of their own pumpkins that were sold at the festival.