Transition Program

The L.I.F.E. transition program is for students 14-21 years old that are best served by working towards more individualized goals rather than traditional academic goals.

All transition students are assessed using the Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS) to help inform the creation of individualized goals for their planning document.

Individualized Goals

True success starts with determining what is really important to students and their families.

Two Transition Program Options

There are currently two program options within the L.I.F.E. Transition Program: Quality Living and Functional Living.

Quality Living is designed for young adults with emphasis in providing opportunities for student engagement in leisure and sensory enriched therapeutic activities to improve overall quality of life.

  • Basic Communication
  • Basic Mobility
  • Routine & Expectations
  • Self-Management
  • Social Skills
  • Social Awareness & Manners
  • Community Knowledge
  • Health/Safety/First Aid
  • Toileting
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
  • Leisure
  • Art
  • Music
  • Physical Activities

Functional Living is designed for young adults with emphasis on improving their independence to help prepare them for adulthood, with focus on functional living skills.

  • Basic Communication
  • Maintenance and Cleaning
  • Mechanics and Repairs
  • Clothing/Laundry
  • Community Knowledge
  • Community Travel
  • Dishes
  • Food/Meal Planning
  • Shopping
  • Eat in Public
  • Health/Safety/First Aid
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Kitchen
  • Cooking
  • Leisure
  • Meals at Home
  • Money
  • Nighttime Routine
  • Organizational Skills
  • Personal Management
  • Phone
  • Problem Solving
  • Toileting
  • Grooming
  • Dressing
  • Self-Management
  • Social Awareness/Manners
  • Time
  • Art
  • Music
  • Karate
  • Physical Activities

Transition Program Leadership

ASHLEY WATZKE
ASHLEY WATZKEDirector of Day Treatment and Employment- DTA, DTT, DTS, TTE, GSE

Role: 

As the Director of Day Treatment and Employment (DTE), my job is to ensure we are providing the best service we can for our consumers.

Career History:

I have been lucky to work in different settings since August of 2008, serving children and adults with developmental disabilities.  I have been with L.I.F.E. since July 2013 where I started as a habilitation provider in the community and then later in the adult program on campus. I quickly fell in love with the values and support L.I.F.E. offered to not only the consumers but also to staff and I felt privileged to become and serve as a teacher in the academy, later growing into Student Services Supervisor. I then moved into the role as Adult Day Treatment (DTA) Manager, then Manager of Day Treatment and Employment (DTE) department, and most recently became Director of Day Treatment and Employment. I’m very excited for this adventure and will strive to serve all to the best of my ability. 

Personal Teaching Philosophy:

“Love what you do and never work a day in your life.”

      – Unknown 

Personal: 

I have been married to my best friend for almost 4 years now and when we are not at work, you can find us chasing around our crazy wild daughters. In 2015, while I was teaching pre-school within the L.I.F.E. Academy, I had a student that at the time was in search of her forever home. Little did I know this little girl would become a huge part of my husband and my life. We adopted her in 2017 and she is now our daughter!  As a family we enjoy weekends at home hanging out with our family and going camping when we can!  We absolutely live for football season and the Arizona Cardinals; we won’t miss a game.

Contact Us for More Information About L.I.F.E.

call us at 480-621-8361 EXT 136 or complete this form

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