Sierra is now 20 years of age. Her adoptive family has been wonderful to her, but she continues to struggle with fits of depression and bouts of loneliness. Two years ago, she reconnected with her biological mother after not seeing her for a few years. They both wept. In broken English, her mother explained to her how it happened that she lost Sierra. Her mother tells her that she should go to school and "make something of herself" - after all, that's what her mother tried to do when she found her way to the U.S. She doesn't want Sierra to do what she did; although she is a relatively young woman, the years and the work on many plots of land have taken their toll. She has talked with Sierra about the two of them going back to Mexico. The U.S. is really all Sierra has ever known, and she is not thrilled about the possibility, but she has always been fond of this woman she now knows as her mother.
Sierra continues to live with her adoptive parents. She struggles to figure out what to do next, and her IEP diploma from high school hasn't helped her to find a steady job. She thinks that there isn't much possibility for her, that, after high school, she really didn't have a future. Sierra's adoptive mother wants her to go to a Job Corps program, thinking that it would help her to develop some direction in life. Sierra doesn't know. For now, sitting at home and getting out of bed in the morning is about all she can do.
* What is an IEP diploma?
* What is Job Corps? Who attends? What are the benefits? Would Sierra be eligible to go?
* What might be helpful for Sierra at this point in terms of finding direction in her life? Do you think that depression figures into her lack of direction at this point?
DECISION POINT:
Does Sierra go to Mexico with her mother? If not, does she go to Job Corps? Why or why not?
An IEP diploma is an individualized education program diploma (DeLorenzo, 2010). This diploma is awarded to a student with a disability at the end of the school year in which a student turns age 21 or at any time after a student has attended school or has received an equivalent education elsewhere for at least 12 years, excluding Kindergarten. This diploma is intended to a student who has significant disabilities, and is a form of recognition of his or her achievements in regards to education (DeLorenzo, 2010). This diploma is not a standards-based diploma and not recognized as equivalent to a regular high school diploma. Unfortunately, because of this, many employers do not recognize this diploma, which can make it very difficult for these students to get jobs. However, the government urges all students to work towards a regular high school diploma. If it is not possible for him to get a regular diploma, based on his disabilities, than he can be approved by a committee for an IEP diploma. But he still must continue to work towards the regular diploma. This is a good program because it ensures that the student will receive the academic supports and other necessary services to ensure “graduation” with an IEP diploma (DeLorenzo, 2010).
ReplyDeleteDeLorenzo, J. (2010, April ). Individual education program (iep) diploma. Retrieved from http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/iepdiploma.htm
Job Corps is a free program for US citizens or legal residents ages 16-24 that are from a low-income background. It can either help students get a high school diploma or GED, or help those who have graduated either find a job or attend college. When someone joins, they form an individualized Personal Career Development Plan. They will also receive training in a field that interests them and can also participate in job-training experiences. They will also receive housing, meals, medical care and living allowances. There is also a mentoring program that will allow the students to receive extra guidance when trying to develop a plan for their future (Job Corps). Sierra may be able to be a participant of Job Corps depending on the income of her foster mother.
ReplyDeleteU.S. Department of Labor, Job Corps. (n.d.). Success lasts a lifetime with job corps. Retrieved from http://www.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx
Sierra could benefit from vocational counseling to help with job searches. She could also benefit from a psychologist and maybe a psychiatrist if she wants to get better medication. Her depression is probably making these decisions more difficulty for her to decide her future. It could be hard for her to get up in the morning and do a job search and maybe by seeing a vocational therapist they could help her focus on her abilities, strengths, and her passion. Her depression could also affect her ability to focus on the future, and to help her work on this, a counselor or psychologist could be beneficial.
ReplyDeleteSierra should go to Job Corps because it has a more certain future for her. If she was to go Mexico, there is no guarantee that she could receive the social supports that she is currently receiving. Also, there is no certainty that she could find a job or a way to support herself in Mexico, where she is not fluent in the language. While it would be good for her to reconnect with her mother, there is no certainty that she will find work or a steady future. If she is to go to Job Corps, she will receive the necessary supports she needs both educationally and vocationally. She also will be able to be near her foster family, with whom she is close. Being close to her family will enable her to experience the job and education on her own, but still be able to feel comfortable in doing so.
ReplyDeleteQuestions from Group 3:
ReplyDelete1. Do you think having both her birth mother and foster parents in her life is a cause of Sierra's depression?
2. Does Sierra feel torn about making both of her mothers proud/satisfied since they both have different expectations of her?
Questions from Group 6:
ReplyDelete1. Do Sierra's foster parents see that she is still struggling with feelings of depression and do they acknowledge them and try to encourage her if they do?
2. Does Sierra feel support from both her families no matter what decisions she makes about staying or leaving or is her decision being affected by others' feelings not her own?