Project REACH

Services

Services

The project provides outreach, individual guidance, group training and counseling in areas of educational planning, financial assistance for post-secondary training, and techniques to compensate for a handicapping condition in the classroom. The project also provides career assessments to heighten career awareness and offers opportunities to explore various career options.

Program Description

Project REACH identifies disadvantaged young people with disabilities who have the potential for education at the post secondary level, encourages them to continue and graduate from secondary school and enroll in programs at the post secondary level. High school and post-secondary dropouts are also encouraged and assisted in returning to school.

The Project was first funded in September of 1985 and at that time became the first Talent Search Program to serve low-income, urban youth with disabilities in the nation. In 1990 the Project moved from the UMASS Boston downtown campus to its current location in McCormack Hall, first floor, rooms 413-414. The Project remains a national model for the successful inclusion of youth with disabilities in TRIO programs.

Participants must have a disability or receive special education services from the Boston Public Schools, be between the ages of 11 and 27 and have completed the fifth grade. Two thirds of the participants must also be low-income persons who are also potential first generation college students. During the 1998-1999 funding cycle the Project was funded to serve 600 students.

The Project employs a highly qualified and diverse staff. Currently there are four full-time and one half-time professional staff (project director, 3.5 educational outreach counselors), one classified position (grade 13 secretary), and two part-time position (grade 03 tutor/assistant). The Project also employs four to six (grade 3 part-time) teachers for it's six week academic summer program.

The Project provides a wide range of services that are specifically targeted towards students within five targeted high schools (Burke, Dorchester, Madison Park, West Roxbury, Horace Mann) and four targeted middle schools (Gavin, McCormack, King and Horace Mann).
Middle School

 High School
Career Awareness Counseling
Career Speakers
Early College Awareness
Self-Esteem Building
Self-Advocacy Skills
Study Skills
High School Visits
High School Course Planning
Disability Awareness Counseling
 		 Financial Aid Information
Admissions Assistance
Peer Counseling
Career and Educational Counseling
Self-Esteem Building
Self-Advocacy Skills
Visits to Local Post Secondary Programs
Information About Available Community
Resources
Disability Awareness Counseling

The majority of services are provided on-site at the target schools within a classroom setting. Students and parents are also encouraged to make appointments at our UMASS Boston campus office after school hours or during school vacation.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2000-2001
To fulfill the purpose of Talent Search and to meet the unique needs of the target population, the Project has developed five outcome objectives which are provided through individual and group activities. The objectives are High School Retention and Graduation, High School Re-entry, Postsecondary Placement, Postsecondary Re-entry and the Development of a Disability Action Plan. All of the Project's outcome objectives were met or exceeded for 2000-01 funding cycle.

The Project also held a successful College Fair for students with disabilities, a six-week academic summer program, and two community service projects with students from our middle school program. The middle school tutorial program was also very successful and assisted over thirty students with academic skill development.

VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE
The Project will continue to expand and adapt its service delivery to meet the ever-changing needs of the population. The major priority for the future will be to establish a Conflict Resolution curriculum at the McCormack Middle School. A pilot Dispute Resolution curriculum will be implemented at West Roxbury High School at the request of the Headmaster.

PROJECT REACH'S VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE AND THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
Project REACH is the only TRIO program of its type, which provides educational, career and personal development activities for special education students within the Boston Public Schools.

Over the past seventeen years the Project has assisted students with disabilities and special education needs, to gain information and skills which have provided them with many opportunities not afforded to them in the past. The Project has been cited as a national model and will continue to provide innovative and quality programming to the students it serves.

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Mentor / Role Models  

Students will be able to meet with other students who received Special Education services in high school and who are now in the process of completing programs of postsecondary study or with former students who are now employed in a variety of career fields.

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Technical Assistance 

Students will be able to meet with other students who received Special Education services in high school and who are now in the process of completing programs of postsecondary study or with former students who are now employed in a variety of career fields.

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Benefits

Potential Benefits include:

A chance to understand the value of a college or vocational education.

An opportunity to shape your own future.

The development of personal and academic skills.

Exposure to positive role models.

The opportunity to improve the quality of your life.

Familiarization with community resources.

Exposure to future careers.

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Preparation  

Academic Summer Program
Visits to College Campuses
College Fairs
Informal Seminars

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