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Venture-Out, a new and innovative program, brings together a proven Life Skills curriculum with an intensive therapeutic component to assist students as they work toward independent living. The clinical component provides the therapies, structure, and consistency necessary for psychiatrically involved young adults, while the curriculum developed by the Council for Exceptional Children that foster the development of life skills essential to increasing the students’ level of independence as they transition into adulthood.

The Venture-Out Program focuses on daily living skills, personal/social skills, self-advocacy skills, and occupational preparation/guidance. Although the Venture Program addresses these skills, the Venture-Out program will utilizes a more practical educational focus by using intensive hands-on, community-based instruction.

Our target population is 18- to 21-year-old students diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder who may also be diagnosed with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Low Cognitive Functioning. They will have completed all or most of their high school academic requirements for graduation and will be available for intensive hands-on, community-based instruction.

At present, Venture-Out students have been working on incorporating nutrition and exercise in their daily living skills with the help from our school nurse Maureen Dombkowski, RN. Students have been increased their knowledge about nutrition and exercise applying these skills in planning their meal menus while exercising as a way of releasing calories.

Students are reminded of the health facts that are posted around the Rockleigh campus such as “move more, eat less” or “3500 calories equal one pound. Venture Out students are motivated to keep track of their calorie in-take and out –take using their individual daily food diary. Venture-Out students have also been busy with their internships. Venture –Out students have been attending internships at K-Mart in Closter, American Cancer Society in Hackensack,TJ Maxx in Westwood and Goodwill in Bergenfield. Venture- Out has begun its school year with a positive outlook towards their health and independent living goals.

VENTURE OUT -GARFIELD SATELLITE LOCATION