Helping Adults Gain Complementary Skills

Your list may vary slightly, but you get the picture. There are an incredible number of community resources available if students can just learn who they are, what they do and how to access them.  It is important that you have available within the VPI lab, a community resource list or handbook.  The list should include basic information about the services provided by each organization or agency, contact names (if possible), phone numbers and addresses.  This will help you provide information to your students when they need it.  You should also contact each of the community resources within your area and ask for copies of their forms, brochures and other materials that could be useful to students.  Use these materials to reinforce basic reading skills.  Have students collect the materials by contacting the organizations or agencies by phone and request copies of their program materials.  If possible, arrange for a representative from each community resource agency to come and talk to your students.  Invite other students to participate in these informative sessions.  You never know when students will need the services - the more informed they are the better able they will be to access the services they need.