Program Options
- Vocational Day Program (Regional Center code HM1533 / 510)
- Internship Program (Regional Center Code PM2698 / 055)
NOTE: Participants must complete the Day Program before they can be considered for the Internship Program.
Click HERE to download a flyer about the program.
Contact Information
New Vista School Career Academy
23292 #140 Mill Creek Dr.
Laguna Hills, CA, 92653
Tel: 949-438-3357 or 949-455-1270
Department of Developmental Services Appeals and information:
www.dds.ca.gov
(916) 654-1987
Days
The program operates year-round, with the exception of major holiday and staff training dates. A calendar will be provided upon enrollment.
Hours
Monday through Friday: 9:00am to 3:00pm
Cost
Cost of the program will vary based on the amount of attendance days and will be discussed upon the initial consultation.
Dress Code
- Appropriate attire for internships will be discussed at the orientation
- Appropriate gym clothing may be required (Shorts, t-shirt, athletic shoes, socks)
- Dress code at the NVCA is causal. Jeans, T-shirts, shorts are permissible. Clothing must be in good taste with no inappropriate messages or pictures.
- No excessive jewelry, piercings, or items that may be offensive to others.
Transportation
- New Vista Career Academy does not provide transportation service to and from Student residences at this time.
- Transportation will be provided from Internships to the Career Academy, and any community outings.
- Students must be picked up promptly at 3:00
Program Description
Students will be engaged academically, socially, and vocationally and model activities that lead to independent living. Participants will generalize their social competencies in the workplace and learn to become a capable employee while working towards honing skills that align with their vocational aspirations. The overall goal for participants is to gain the skills necessary for a career pathway and to obtain a job in their desired field while demonstrating healthy and sustainable habits for the adult world.
Every participant strives to identify a career pathway within the first six month to nine months of the program through:
- Observations
- Student Survey or Interview
- Parent Survey or Interview
- Situational Assessment
Note: Each participant will develop a personal plan for work/life balance.
Locations
Services are provided at our location in Laguna Hills, CA and on the job at the worksite at an Orange County employer. Our Laguna Hills location is an office suite in an office building complex. It has computers, independent office spaces, a small break room, and a common area for collaboration.
Attendance Policy
The program takes attendance daily. All participants are required to report absences to NVCA before the day starts. Participants must call in their absences and notify the program of planned absences in advance. Participants must attend the program as scheduled, conform to the expected behaviors, and put forth their best effort in order to remain enrolled.
Regional Center
New Vista Career Academy is a Regional Center vendor. Participants interested in the program should contact their service coordinator. Initial consultations and program visits can be arranged once the appropriate referral paperwork has been received by the Regional Center.
- Vocational Day Program (Regional Center code HM1342 / 510)
- Internship Program (Regional Center Code PM2698 / 055)
Attendance: New Vista Career Academy will notify Regional Center clients on the third consecutive day of unplanned absence. Any absence in excess of three per month requires a call to the family and to the RCOC team to create a plan for improving attendance.
Staffing Ratio
All offerings are 1:4 staff to participants.
Entrance criteria includes:
Age 18 or above (Or, with release)
Pre-requisites for the program
- Have a diagnosis of Autism or related learning language disability (other diagnosis may be considered on a case-by-case basis).
- Graduated high school or have a certificate of completion or GED.
- Have a permanent residence
Level of self-care:
- Able to learn how to groom appropriately for work
- Able to eat independently
- Able to toilet independently
- Able to take medication independently
Level of physical and medical conditions required to participate in the program:
- Able to be ambulatory
- Able to do physical and/or desk work
- Able to care for any physical needs
Level of behavioral characteristics:
- Able to understand and manage appropriate personal space
- Able to follow instructions
- Able to manage anger
- Able to follow directions willingly
- Able to stay focused and on task with prompting
- No violent behavior
Exit criteria
- Acquisition of employment that meets the goals of the IPP
- Inability to meet guidelines specified for the program
- Voluntary exit
- Termination from position
- Attendance irregularities
- Unacceptable behavior
- Noncompliance
