The Charlton School
Over a century of caring for youth
PO Box 47/322 Lake Hill Rd. Burnt Hills, NY 12027 Tel.(518)399-8182 Fax (518)399-8195

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Independent Living Cottage - Sheibley

All students at The Charlton School participate in at least some aspect of learning Independent Living skills. Each student participates in completing a Living Skills Assessment shortly after admission to determine her level of skills and capabilities, which is connected to her ability to move through the Cottage Step program. Focused skill building in the milieu and re-assessments are used to enhance and monitor skill development and determine adequate functioning for each cottage step. All students learn and enhance skills through participation in the residential milieu and in regular campus-wide special programs, which often feature guest speakers, and through some of the curriculum at the on-grounds school which teaches and re-enforces life skills. Upon admission, all students participate in a living skills group, called Transitions, that focuses on adjustment issues including healthy relationships, decision-making, boundaries, conversation skills, etc. Students who are age 16 and older, those with an independent living goal, and those students living in Sheibley Cottage participate in a weekly Life Skills group, as well as some individual work, depending on their individual treatment plan.

Programs incorporate instruction in both “soft” and “hard” skills. “Soft” skills include, but are not limited to, the following: self awareness and self esteem issues, communication skills, interpersonal skills, health and sexuality issues, values clarification, decision making and conflict resolution skills, use of leisure time, and goal planning. “Hard” skills include, but are not limited to, the following: career exploration, money management, consumer awareness, household management, food management, legal issues, emergency and safety skills, and community resources.