paralegal assistant training (“plat”)...
TRANSCRIPT
THE AUTISM HIGHER
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Paralegal Assistant Training (“PLAT”) Program
Page 2 | AHEF, www.autismhighereducationfoundation.org
Recognizing the lack of vocational
training programs and dire employ-
ment prospects for individuals on the
Autism Spectrum, The Autism Higher
Education Foundation (AHEF) launched
the Paralegal Assistant Training “PLAT”
Program in collaboration with Chief
Justice Angela Ordoñez of the Massa-
chusetts Probate & Family Courts, law
firms and related business partners.
The focus of the PLAT program is on the
cohort of students on the Autism Spec-
trum and with related disabilities, who
are unable to pass MCAS and receive
a high school diploma. In partnership
with a growing number of high schools
in the Commonwealth, the PLAT pro-
gram provides selected students with
paralegal assistant vocational train-
ing in participating Courts and sub-
sequently targets placement in paid
part-time employment in law firms and
other business community partners. At
Paralegal Assistant Training (“PLAT”) Program
age 22, DDS/MRC eligible participants
may choose to continue the PLAT pro-
gram with Advocates, Northeast Arc,
The Price Center and other agency
partners who will provide supported
employment, education and training
in paralegal assistant skills. AHEF’s vi-
sion is to expand this program in all 14
counties of the Commonwealth. The
PLAT program has been highlighted
in the UMASS Medical School Shriv-er Center’s Massachusetts Healthy People 2020 Autism Roadmap.
Participating Community Colleges2Participating
Schools10
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● Boston Public Schools● Brookline Public Schools● Crossroads School● Danvers Public Schools● Futures School ● Lynnfield Public Schools ● Revere Public Schools● Triton Regional School District● Westwood Public Schools● Somerset Berkley Regional School District
●
●
Bristol Community College, Gottschall Access Program
Cape Cod Community College, Project Forward
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The PLAT Program spans from transition to High School to post-22 for DDS/MRC-eligible participants.
Program Curriculum
There are three phases to the PLAT program:
9th grade to 12th grade (14 to 18 yrs): Requisite skills are
embedded in the student’s IEP.
12th grade though age 22, while PLAT student is enrolled
in postgrad/transition program in local high school:
• Continuation of paralegal assistant education and
training in school district.
• Travel training by school district.
• Placement into non-paid court internships for selected
candidates who meet program requirements with
support and data collection from school district.
• Placement into paid part-time employment with legal
and business partners for selected candidates who
meet program requirements with support and data
collection from school district.
The PLAT program model ideally starts from freshman year in High School by embedding the following “sample” areas of vocational training/job readiness into the student’s IEP:
Post 22 for MRC/DDS eligible PLAT participants:
• PLAT participants interested in continuing may
transition to Advocates, Northeast Arc, the Price
Center or other identified agencies for continued
employment support, education and training in
paralegal assistant skills.
• Individuals who have not participated in the PLAT
program during high school may be referred to the
PLAT program and screened for eligibility based on
program requirements.
Program Description
All curriculum developed by AHEF in collaboration with school districts, educational experts and providers will be
available on its website as a community service.
Addressing interfering behaviors that pose barriers to employment.
Office supply vocabulary.
Dress code, hygiene and professionalism.
Communication skills, confidentiality.
Paralegal assistant skills starting from the most basic to increasing degrees of complexity as student demonstrates success and independence.
Skills such as shredding, scanning, copying, filing, organization and document management, redaction, data entry, word processing, billing, book-keeping support.
Skill development is data driven.
PLAT program track is a “supplement” to the student’s school day and is not intended to replace an “academic track” but aims to be woven into the “fabric” of the student’s academics.
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Program RequirementsStudent requirements:
• Diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum
or related disability and enrolled in
a high school or 766 day school that
participates in the PLAT program.
• Minimum of a 4th grade reading ability.
• For placement in court internship and/
or law firm or related business, candi-
dates must be selected by their school
and screened by AHEF to meet be-
havioral and professional standards.
School District Requirements:
• For court internships, District must
provide one to one support at all
times and collect data on student’s
skills, behavior, professionalism
and independence.
• For part-time employment with legal
and business partners, District must
provide one to one support and data
collection, which support may fade
based on employer feedback and
student’s success and independence.
• The District is responsible for all
transportation.
• Curriculum developed to be shared
with AHEF and provided on an “open
source” basis as a community service.
For further information on the PLAT Program please contact:
Icons by Becris @ FlatIcon
Provider Agency Requirements for post-22 MRC/DDS Eligible Participants:
• Provide ongoing paralegal assistant
vocational training.
• Provide supported employment as
needed by PLAT participant.
Vanda Marie Khadem, Esq.,
Founder of AHEF
www.autismhighereducationfoundation.org
PLAT Candidates in Court Internships21
Participating Law Firms & Related Businesses10
33 Wolcott Road Extension,
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-739-7335
Brochure design by Ariel Plotkin for Gryphon Design Strategy, www.gryphondesignstrategy.com
AUTISM HIGHER EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Participating Courts6
• Barnstable Probate & Family Court• Bristol Probate & Family Court• Essex Probate & Family Court• Norfolk Probate & Family Court• Suffolk Probate & Family Court• Brookline District Court