Teens ‘N Transition (T’NT) is a collaborative project with local high schools, designed to increase the success of students with high incidence (mainly learning and behavioral) disabilities following graduation.  RAMP’s desire, in partnership with the schools, is to provide the tools necessary for these students to be prepared young adults, ready to progress to college and/or gainful employment while taking full responsibility for their life and place in the community.

The T’NT project is a sixteen week, interactive class that covers topics such as personal responsibility, budgeting, banking, employment, insurance, housing and more.  It is not your typical lecture class. RAMP staff “team teach” the class with community partners who bring real-life knowledge to the classroom. Students are given hands-on projects and homework to complete. For example, the employment units include students researching potential employers, learning how to contact employers and leave a good impression, conducting their own skills self-assessment and how to prepare for an interview.  Each student then participates in an actual interview with community employers (some even come looking to hire students for summer positions!)

Every session is designed to embolden the students to take control of their own lives and plan their future with their personal dreams and goals in mind.  RAMP strives to empower each student with a disability to look beyond their obstacles and uncover the possibilities of their future and how their success is entirely up to them.

The T’NT curriculum was completed by two Northern Illinois University Professors, Dr. Toni Van LaarHoven and Erika Blood and follows Federal Core Standards.  Each session presents learning objectives and lays out the materials needed, powerpoint slides and worksheets used.  A Teachers Manual  is available as well as Student Workbooks. 

For more information about T’NT please contact Julie Bosma, RAMP Executive Director (815)968-7467.