Welcome to STAIRs

Skills Training, Advancement and Individual Readiness

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR NEURODIVERGENT YOUNG ADULTS

Preparing Students for Postgraduate Success

The STAIRs (Skills Training, Advancement, and Individual Readiness) Program at Mitchell supports participants as they transition into the workforce or pursuit of an advanced degree.

Transitioning to independence, graduate study, or gainful employment is not always easy, especially for neurodivergent learners. The STAIRs program was developed to prepare those who need extra time to achieve emotional readiness, confidence, seek employment/start careers and reach personal goals.

INDIVIDUALIZED, MULTI-LEVEL SUPPORT

In today’s world, you must know how to adapt to rapid change, function as a member of different communities, and navigate social situations. As part of a truly supportive cohort of young people on a similar journey to realize their dreams, we prepare students to thrive in new and challenging environments. Participants benefit from:

Individualized Attention
Personal Exploration
Occupational and Research-based Skills Training
Social Embeddedness
Lifelong Connections

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

1. AIM Basics — Independent Living and Life Skills
2. Career Intensive/Focused
3. Academic Exploration/Graduate School

All concentrations offer:

- Skill Development Workshops
- Career Prep and Job Discovery
- Experiential Learning
- Community Connections and Experiences (Cohort Development)

Program Terminology

Community Governance

The college-owned housing will be guided through a form of self-governance. The participants in the program will set the community guidelines and rules of the house under the guidance of the program coordinator and mentors.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to be aware of, manage, and express one’s emotions, and to negotiate interpersonal relationships thoughtfully and compassionately.

Financial Literacy

The possession of skills and knowledge that allows an individual to make informed and effective decisions with their finances including budgeting, managing debt, savings and investing.

Holistic Wellness

An approach to wellness that considers the whole person caring for the mind, body and spirit. It incorporates physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual wellness, as well as the individual’s environment.

Independent Living

The ability to exercise the greatest degree of choice about where one lives, works and socializes. It goes beyond living on one’s own, but is about self-determination and includes being employed in work that matched ones’ interests, capabilities and skills while having an active and safe social life.

Neurodivergent

There is an increasing awareness and understanding in our society that some people have brain differences that affect how their brain works. The term often used to capture these differences is neurodivergent. Neurodivergent individuals have different strengths, and challenges, from people whose brains don’t have those differences. Possible differences include medical disorders, learning disabilities and other conditions. Neurodivergence manifests in many different ways, from very subtle ways that most people would never notice to more obvious ways that lead to a person behaving differently than is considered “typical” in our society.

Service/Community Engagement

Working collaboratively with and through community groups or affiliations. This requires intentional interactions between program participants and the communities in which they live and work.

Register for a Virtual Info Session

APPLY NOW

Noah Blocker-Glynn

Coordinator, STAIRs Program

East Winds
860-701-5083
glynn_n@mitchell.edu

CORE PROGRAM COMPONENTS

All students complete the AIM Basics program, which incorporates independent living, career readiness, social/interpersonal skills, and holistic wellness in a supportive environment with the goal of producing self-sufficient adults ready to pursue independence and sustain employment.

Independent Living

During Year 1, students live in a college-owned house located near, but not on, the Mitchell College campus. Second-year participants will move into local housing and commute to campus for workshops and community events.
Guided Community Governance/Self-Governance
Independent Living Skills/Workshops
Cooking classes resulting in preparation of community meals
Financial literacy and banking
Assistance identifying and applying for local apartments prior to Year 2

Social, Emotional & Interpersonal Skills Development

Workshops: Healthy Relationships, Care-frontation techniques, self-advocacy, growth mindset, etc.
Participation in local clubs and community organizations
Interaction with Mitchell College Students and Staff

Holistic Wellness

Nutrition and Wellness Activities
Personal Fitness
Hygiene Practices
Healthy Relationships and Boundary setting

Hub #1 — Career Intensive/Focused

STAIRs’ Career Intensive Hub was developed to support students with diverse or undecided career goals through this process as they explore interests and passions while building the skills necessary to be successful in their chosen fields.

Program Stages

1. Career Exploration — Identify Areas of Interest and Capacity
2. Goal Setting and Workforce Preparation
3. Internship/Employment Search and Application
4. Universal Technical and Soft Skills Training

Benchmarks

- Baseline Competencies
- Targets
- Final Assessment

Hub #2 — Academic Exploration/Graduate School

The Graduate School preparedness hub will support students with a bachelor’s degree as they create effective application packets for graduate programs of their choosing and provides students with opportunities to grow and practice the skills they will need for success in their graduate education.

Program Stages

1. 1. Academic Skills Development — Develop the Skills Needed to Succeed in Graduate School
  2. Program Identification & Exploration — Find Appropriate Programs for Particular Career and Academic Goals
  3. Application Preparation — Develop Effective Graduate School Applications
  4. Graduate Program Exploration

Benchmarks

Passion for the subject area or field in your chosen graduate course of study
Ability to successfully complete a graduate program
Reason for attending graduate school in a certain field; understanding of how graduate study will help achieve your goal

Outputs

Demonstrate Readiness Skills
Identify Graduate Program(s)
Prepare for Application

How to Apply

It is recommended that students and families attend a virtual information session and consider scheduling an in-person visit prior to applying.

STEP 1: Attend Information Session

Click to Register for Information Session

STEP 2: Complete Application Form

Applicants must complete and submit the 2025 STAIRs Application for Admission. Acceptances will be sent out on a rolling basis by email.

STEP 3: Complete Interview

Eligible applicants will be invited to attend a virtual interview with the review committee to confirm fit/eligibility for the program.

Deadlines

February 2025 Program Start: Applications Close December 15, 2024
August 2025 Program Start: Applications Close on June 1, 2025

Program Admission

To be eligible for the STAIRs program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Has basic mathematics understanding; can use a calculator
Can utilize technology (cell phone, laptop, etc.) on a basic level
Primary disability must be cognitive, not behavioral or emotional
Has the ability to independently self-administer and manage medication, specialized dietary, and/or medical needs
Note: STAIRs personnel are not available to manage/administer medication and take no responsibility for specialized diets or medical needs.
Has parents/support system who will support his/her independence

Program Cost

12-month Program Fee = $25,000

Housing (Year 1) = $10,000*
Includes furnished room, utilities and other amenities.

Meal Plan = Varies**

Activities Fee = $1,500

Total Year 1 = $36,500
Total Year 2 = $26,500

* Year 2 housing is optional; no residency requirement.
** Costs are determined by selected meal plan. Meals served in Dining Hall during regular hall hours. NOTE: Dining Hall is closed during certain holidays and breaks.

HOUSING

Overview

Throughout the STAIRs program, participants benefit from being in a community environment. The program’s central location in a residential New London neighborhood — just a short walk from Mitchell College and other amenities — offers a wide range of experiences and opportunities for learning to live independently in a small city rich with resources:

Recreational/Exercise Activities
Diverse Natural Environments (Mitchell beach, Mitchell woods, public beaches and parks)
Downtown New London: dining, shopping, entertainment, historic and cultural landmarks

As part of a close cohort, students gain skills and confidence through the structural design of the program:

Guided Community Governance/Self-Governance
Hub Communities
Community Library
Skills Development Center

Year 1: AIM Basics — Residency Required

The residential experience in Year 1 is an important part of the AIM Basics program, giving participants the experience of living and learning as part of a “family” style community.

Single- and double-room occupancy options
Community kitchen and social lounge

Year 2: Option to Live Off-site

After particpants have completed the AIM Basics program they are encouraged to move into a more independent living situation in New London or the surrounding area.