The Bridge Program™

The Bridge Program provides support in educational and natural settings beyond The Shafer Center walls.

We strive to bridge the gap between highly structured, 1:1 instruction and more traditional educational settings or other learning environments for individuals with special needs. We provide services in the community as well so that each student can meet their fullest potential.

We firmly believe that life-long success depends on requisite, fundamental skills; therefore, The Bridge Program draws upon many different assessment tools to determine each student’s unique, starting point. This allows us to tailor a program to meet the individual needs of each student to ensure long-term success and independence.

Bridge Blackboard

The Shafer Center works with the school and family in order to create a cohesive, consistent program so that behavioral and social goals are being addressed throughout the entire day. Program goals are developed via a few avenues:

• in conjunction with the IEP Team or from IEP goals
• as part of the behavior reduction process, such as after an FBA is done
• during consultation as an observed need arises.

Goals could include:

• behavior management
• increase on-task attentiveness
• executive functioning and organizational skills
• interacting with others socially

These are all areas in which students often struggle when transitioning to a least restrictive environment. Data collection occurs around the student’s program goals. Families can expect daily communication from their child’s team regarding the day.

Students in our Bridge Blackboard program receive support in a school setting via a 1:1 therapist and/or consultation. The aide will support the student in their classroom by implementing their Behavior Intervention Plan and teach classroom readiness and basic social skills.

Consultation is provided by a Shafer Center representative at a set amount of time per month and is also available independent of a 1:1 aide (by request). The focus of consultation is on providing the student with assistance in being successful in the academic environment, monitoring progress, and programmatic changes.