Save our community DD Class co-op program

In 2010 the North Lambton Secondary School students in the developmental disabilities class had the opportunity to take a co-op class the same as the rest of the student body thanks to a funding grant from Community Living. This co-op went very well for all of the dd students, so well in fact that all who participated enjoyed a 100% employment rate as a direct result of the job co-op placements. Taking part in co-op afforded the students a means to build many important life skills, job skills, and build valuable social capital in their own community. This class is very important to these students, most of whom will never read or do math. Job specialists attended the co-op placements and ensured a good job fit and that both the student and the employer would have a positive experience, which was happening very successfully. So successfully, in fact, that the program, students, and teachers have been recognized provincially and nationally. One of the students at NLSS dd, has recently been invited to speak at our provincial parliament about her experience in the program. Despite this wonderful proven success of co-op for dd students at NLSS, the Lambton Kent District School Board has decided to cut the program for lack of funds. They continue, however, to offer co-op programs to the "regular" students. The parents and educators of this class have been told by the Board that if we want this program for our special students we must be "creative". We are approaching the community to appeal for support. We would like to let the LKDSB know that this is a very important program to not only the students and parents, but also to the whole community of Lambton. This program is educating our children to be active contributing members of our community in a way that no other academic course could do. Being employable greatly reduces the cost of long term care for these children, hopefully keeping them out of government care.

Currently the students are offered in-school placements working with the custodial and cafeteria staff. While this is a good place to start it in no way replaces the experience of working outside of school in the "real" world and it does not open up the possibility of long-term employment. The Board has suggested using peers to go with the students to job placements instead of a properly trained job coach. If the special needs student fails in their placement both the student, the peer, and the employer fail and the likelihood of the student being employed or the employer ever being comfortable hiring someone with a disability disappears. It is a great risk not to do this right the first time. Regular students are not trained by their peers.

Our dd class has done great things for our children. We should be proud to have it here in Lambton and need to support it to ensure that it stays here at NLSS allowing our children to attend school in their own neighbourhood with children they know. We need to let our school board know it is important to our community, that the community wants it to stay, and that the community wants the co-op program re-instated ASAP!

As NLSS has already developed a working model for this program, getting it running again would need little effort as the teaching staff already have the necessary skills and knowledge to implement this. More support staff would be required. At most, this would mean hiring one more educational assistant. The cost is not great compared to the advantages afforded the students.

We are asking that you contact the Lambton Kent District School Board to let them know you would like to have this program offered our developmentally disabled children. We are asking that you let your MPP know as well. We need the support of our community to have the Board understand the importance and relevance of the program to our students and that it be available to them here in their home town.

Thank you.