ECNV’s I Am Self-Advocacy Program: In-School Update and Spring Session 2023

By Hannah Roberts, Director of Programs

Originally Published May 2023, ECNV Newsletter

ECNV has been busy offering 2 models of their I Am Self-Advocacy (IASA) Program, one virtual and one in-person.  For those of you who aren’t familiar, the IASA Program is a Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) focused on helping students with disabilities, ages 14-22, hone their skills in self-advocacy through a combination of individual and group sessions. Funded by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), this program is offered to students referred by the Fairfax, Alexandria, Leesburg, and Manassas DARS offices.

Students in the IASA program work with their peer mentor in their one-on-one weekly sessions at a speed and level that is individualized and conducive to their learning.  During the weekly group sessions, they take what they have learned and delve deeper into program topics, participating in group activities and debates with their peers.  By the end of the program, the students will have put together their own self-advocacy portfolio to include things they learned regarding self-awareness, disability awareness, self-determination, disability rights and responsibilities, how to be assertive, and how to engage allies and be an ally to others.

For their virtual program, ECNV is currently in their Spring Session which started in April and is set to end by mid-June.  This program model runs the span of 8 – 10 weeks and allows for students (and caregivers) with busy schedules to participate virtually rather than needing to allocate time to travel and meet with their peer mentors and their group in person.

To assist with the challenges of scheduling even further, ECNV also offers the program in-school.  They are in the middle of their 16-week in-school program session which started in February.  Only offered at Alexandria City High School at this time, this program model has 5 peer mentors meeting with the students in-person during school hours for their one-on-one sessions.  Three of these 5 peer mentors are interns who are learning important employment skills through hands-on experiences.  Group sessions are also conducted during school hours every other week and are facilitated by Paul Whitney, who is spearheading this in-school program while providing in-service training for the peer mentor interns.

ECNV’s IASA program continues to evolve with the needs of the community, students, and their families.  Be on the lookout for more enhancements to come!

Students interested in participating in the IASA program should talk to their special education teacher or Employment and Transition Representative (ETR) at their school for assistance.  Alternatively, reach out to your local DARS office to get started.  All referrals must come from DARS.  

For more information about the program, please contact the Program Coordinator, Hannah Roberts at hannahr@ecnv.org or call ECNV's office number at 703-525-3268.