The New Hope-Solebury School District will be launching a program to help older students with developmental disabilities. Stephanie Yoder wrote about the upcoming program for the Bucks County Herald.

The program will be called the Becoming Responsible Independent Dependable Gainfully Employed Adults (BRIDGE) program. The main goal of the new program will be to prepare students ages 18-21 for life outside of there education system. Workplace training, personal hygiene, and social engagement skills will be some of the main topics taught in the program.

“We spoke with our teachers and families and found there was an unmet need for a program like this in our district,” said Colleen Bell, the supervisor of student services at New Hope-Solebury School District. 

Those eligible to partake in the new program are students who just graduated from the school district. Through the various exercises and classes taught, those overseeing the program hope it will help those with special needs adapt to the “real world” once they leave the education system. While it might be difficult, the program aims to make their experiences more pleasant.

Read more about the school district’s plans at the Bucks County Herald.