Community As School Program Receives Numerous Awards and Recognition

Pictured (l-r) : CAS teacher, Brennan Meakin, talks with residents at the Orleans County Nursing Home during an awards ceremony. Administrator Jeffrey Glatz and NYHASA Executive Director, Carl Young, also spoke at the ceremony.

The Albion High School's C.A.S. (Community as Schools) Program and the Orleans County Nursing Home have been awarded the Innovative Program of the Year Award by NYAHSA (New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging). The award was presented to Albion High School CAS teacher Brennan Meakin and Orleans County Nursing Home Administrator Jeffrey Glatz at a special reception held at the nursing home on July 10, 2007 by NYAHSA Executive Director, Carl Young.

Executive Director Young said "this program really raises the bar for intergenerational activities for seniors, and is really a cut above."

The CAS program will also receive recognition in October, 2007 from the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). This national organization will honor CAS with the 2007 Leading-Edge Care and Services Award. The award is given in recognition of programs and services that are models of innovation and excellence and contribute significantly to the quality of life of the individuals served.

CAS Program Highlighted in Publication -

A recent article was printed in the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) regarding this unique school program located in the Orleans County Nursing Home. To view AJN article, click here.

Pictured (l-r): CAS students Derek, Sam, teacher Brennan Meakin, Kylie, Joshlyn and school psychologist Eric Christiansen pose next to the enlarged AJN article and recognition awards they received at the Rochester Academy of Medicine. The recognition took place at the University of Rochester's December School of Nursing meeting.

Community As School Program

High school students have taken their academic experience "off campus," and to a place where their "classmates" are 70 to 80 years their senior. The students are part of the Community As School program. Their school is the Orleans County Nursing Home.

The alternative education program is a voluntary program that is available to students that have promise but have had some difficulty in the traditional school environment and structure.

Pictured: Students celebrate their accomplishments and return to the high school during Moving Up Day.

While at the Nursing Home career oriented observations and participation in eight areas will be available and inherent within the program. Students also participate in service learning projects that assist the residents. During the 2001 - 2002 school year, students painted and decorated the resident dining room to help make it feel more homey. Residents love the room and celebrated its new look with students during the spring 2002 "Moving Up" ceremony.

The dining room project was so successful that students and staff worked again in 2004 to brighten another dining room in A -wing. The dining room was designed with an historical theme. Students worked with the county historian on identifying and creating artwork of county historical places. The artwork complements the peaceful dining room. Students painted the room green and added homey touches to present a more cheery and welcoming room for residents.

(Pictured above: newly painted and decorated dining room in A-wing. Pictured below: some of the Orleans County historical photos were mounted in the room.)

Students who participate in the CAS (Community As School) program sign a contract which, among other things, requires them to: maintain 90 percent attendance, complete all assigned work, participate in job internship and community service activities, and act in a mature and responsible manner.

In addition students have developed a class logo and expectations, and maintained personal goals and a daily journal. This academic training is linked to practical living. The program is staffed by two adults, including a teacher and a classroom assistant.

Results of the program are promising:

• 113 students have attended CAS since February 1998

• GPA improves by 75%

• 69 % of students did not drop out of school after successfully completing the program and went on to graduate

• Students miss 40% fewer days per semester of school

• Students receive 33% fewer referrals to the office

• Students successfully earn up to 10 credits in their year at CAS
  
  
• Many students have gone on to college and/or service related jobs in both acute and long-term medical facilities
  

CAS teacher Brennan Meakin said, "We are very proud of the many unique features that this program provides. This is a wonderful, diverse, dynamic group of students who are taking advantage of this phenomenal opportunity to learn. It also helps them develop a sense of respect, responsibility and optimism."

Students are active in the program for one or two semesters before returning to the high school to finish their academic career with their peers.

School district staff meet on a regular basis with Orleans County Nursing Home staff to share ideas for inservice, projects and involvement.

Nursing Home Activities Director Pat Swindon said the program works great: "The students have done very well in this environment and the residents really love them."

The CAS program works collaboratively with other community agencies including ACT (Alternative Choices for Teens), Community Action, GO-CASA (Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services), and the Games for the Physically Challenged at SUNY Brockport.

Pictured: Students and residents form close bonds during their time together at the nursing home.