Kaitlin's story

By Marci J. Hall
Nashua Telegraph, November 1, 2007

GREENLAND, NH – Unlike most students, Kaitlin McCaffrey began preparing to enter the workforce the day she started the seventh grade.

As a result, the social 21-year-old enjoyed a seamless transition from her school years into adulthood – an achievement that is deemed a success story in the world of developmentally disabled students.

"All the benchmarks were met," said her father, Bob McCaffrey. Everything began on the exact benchmark dates and ages: 14, 18 and 21, affording a seamless experience."

For most students with Kaitlin's challenges, like being diagnosed with global developmental delays, the process can become complicated and stressful. But thanks to an informed family and committed educators, Kaitlin was not only fully included in the classroom, but she was also an active participant in planning for her future.

"It was a community effort with all the stakeholders and all the supporting parties working toward a similar goal, focused upon Kaitlin's life and her abilities, with her at the head chair at every meeting," said Bob.

Kaitlin attended Greenland Central School in Greenland, NH, through eighth grade. During that time, she was fully included with aide support and related services of speech and occupational therapies. A year and a half before she was expected to start her freshman year at Portsmouth High School, her team of supporters kicked their planning process into high gear.

"As soon as Kaitlin became a seventh grader, she and her parents, along with the team members, began planning for her high school education," said Kimberlee Scarponi, a special education teacher in Greenland. "The team began discussing this transition before Christmas of the previous year. By January, Kaitlin began monthly visitations to Portsmouth High School, accompanied by her full-time aide... by the time Kaitlin attended the mandatory, two-day initiation for all incoming freshmen in August, she was completely familiar with the school and staff and they, her."

In addition to preparing Kaitlin for the physical relocation, her support team - including her parents, educators, school nurse, therapists and other school representatives – sat down to create a person-centered plan, which ultimately became an individualized educational plan (IEP) to begin her vocational journey.

Kaitlin attended many inclusive classes with customized classroom supports to assist her with developing skills to transition into the adult world. She delivered the in-house school mail, volunteered at Community Developmental Services Region 8 and ultimately participated in many other community activities, job shadowing opportunities and volunteer efforts. In June of 2005, at the end of her senior year, she received a certificate of attendance and continued her training with Greenland School's extended support and her person-centered plan until she turned 21.

"We actually started with a blank piece of paper," said Bob. "We said, 'What skills and goals does she aspire to? What behaviors does she need to address?'"

Prior to turning 18, Kaitlin and her support team, which now includes the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, were also tasked with selecting a provider. They ultimately decided upon Living Innovations, which paired Kaitlin with Karen Meyer, a mentor and job coach, in July of 2005. Kaitlin's PCP now focused on physical activity, volunteering, job coaching and paid employment, and the school budgeted 25 hours a week with which the two women could follow through on the plan.

Since turning 21, however, Kaitlin is under the state's auspices and her time with Karen is 20 hours a week. For the last year, the duo has spent much of their time at Kaitlin's paying job at La Famiglia, a local restaurant where she does the morning prep work.

"I'm a huge fan of Kaitlin's, as is anyone who has ever met her," said Patrick O'Keefe, owner of La Famiglia. "Her presence makes us all better people and she is a big part of what we do here."

Her family said they couldn't be happier with Kaitlin's education and the successes she has achieved. If he could give one piece of advice to other parents in a similar situation, Bob said, "Plan, plan, plan."

"Plan way in advance – don't wait," he adds. "Know your rights and make sure that you have all the prospective parties for all the benchmark years at meetings at least two years prior... Kaitlin is self-determining in her life with a plan of her wants and needs and the support of the people who know her best."