Written by Andy Furman
point/arc
The Zenbrodt Educational Center (ZEC) will celebrate the largest graduating class in the school's history on Tuesday, May 7th at 6pm at Gardens of Park Hills (1622 Dixie Highway, Park Hills).
ZEC is an extension of The Point/Arc. ZEC is a community where everyone is celebrated.
During the announcement, Education Administrator and Transition Coordinator Katie Lanham said a total of 50 people will wear caps and gowns that night to receive their diplomas.
Katie Lanham (provided photo)
“The students in the class range in age from 16 to 22,” said Lanham, who majored in child and family studies at Ohio University. “To earn a degree, students must complete one of our programs within the academic year.”
These programs are Elevate Job Training, Career Exploration, and 1:1/Small Group Pre-Employment Transition Skills (ETS).
“Students receive innovative, interactive instruction that helps them develop the skills they need to succeed in work and life,” said Lanham, who is in his fourth year at ZEC. She said her lessons include following instructions, showing enthusiasm, self-confidence, problem-solving, initiative and responsibility.
According to Lanham, a variety of work experiences in the community will be considered during Career Exploration. “Rather than providing specialized training for one career interest, this program exposes you to a variety of work environments and tasks,” she said.
“We go to employment sites in the area and get first-hand practice. We have community partners in both Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati,” said Lanham, an Anderson High School graduate.
Small group instruction for learning pre-employment transition skills in schools. Lanham added that those in the community are focused on one-on-one/small group pre-employment transition skills (ETS) programs. “These skills will help students succeed in the workplace and other fields,” she said.
As the transition coordinator at The Point/Arc, Lanham is dedicated to preparing students for the workplace. She says everyday skills like following instructions, improving communication skills, money and time management, and even good hygiene.
The speaker at the banquet and commencement ceremony will be Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, via tape, Lanham said.
According to Lanham, to be admitted to ZEC, students must have a documented disability and have an open case with OVR (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation).
And after graduation, she said, students will either enroll at Gateway Community and Technical College, enroll in a trade school, or find a job with supported employment at The Point/Arc. Stated.
“This is all thanks to the incredible staff at ZEC, led by Executive Director Brandon Releford,” said Judy Gerding, Point/Arc President and Founder. “It will be one of the highlights of the year for us and a great evening for students, parents and friends.”
Point/Arc was founded in 1972 by a group of parents fighting for the educational rights of children diagnosed with Intellectual Developmental Disability (I/DD) disorders. Our mission is to help people with disabilities reach their full potential. educational, social, residential and vocational. In addition, The Point/Arc is also an organization that identifies gaps in services and provides care and support to fill those gaps, even when government funding sources are not available.
“We are all about recognizing where a person's talents and skills are best demonstrated and valued,” Lanham says.
And it may be the biggest and best transition of all.
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