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IQs and academic scores rate high at the college level,
but in Rankin County at Phase 2 Transition Program,
another name for the “college” for students with
intellectual disabilities, there’s a different criteria.
Each year twelve students, age 18-21, who
have exited from high school are selected
from their applications to Phase 2 because
of their hard work ethic, self-motivation, and
strong desire to join a productive work force.
They recognize their intellectual limitations,
but that only motivates them to learn
the skills they must have for employment and
independent living.
Their professors/instructors are Tricia
Jacobsen and her assistant, Jasmine Lee.
Jane Smith, the third person in the Phase 2
staff, wrote the grant for the program nine
years ago, which has expired, but the program
continues to be funded by sales from the
student-made crafts and pottery.
Learning basic living, social, and work
skills is the daily agenda for the students.
The results have been remarkable. One
example is Rashod who came into the
program extremely shy and antisocial. Within
three weeks he was communicating with
other classmates, learning skills, and walking
to the cafeteria without assistance.
Jacobsen says, “The more independent
and confident they become, the harder they
work, and they’re very detailed.” Jacobsen
shared how the students are taught to make
grocery lists and stick to a budget. The students,
along with their instructors, ride in a minivan
to Walmart where the students are divided
into pairs with one walkie talkie per pair. The
instructors use walkie talkies to monitor their
shoppers while allowing them space to fill
their lists and ask questions via the walkie
talkies. And the training works! Jacobsen
laughed, “Everyone thinks I work at Wal-Mart.”
The students also learn how to follow
basic recipes to prepare meals at the school.
“So often parents or guardians are reluctant to
let these kids do kitchen duties at home, but
we show them they are fully capable when
given instructions. One of the twelve in this
year’s program hopes to join her mother
who works in a Florence school in food and
nutrition,” Jacobsen reported with pride.
The program’s goal is to get employment
for the students beyond Brandon city limits
and to have a revolving door of students
coming and leaving, equipped for full time
employment. The instructors are especially
grateful to businesses who see the potential
in the students’ great work ethic. The staff
agrees, “If you give them a chance, they make
the best employees because they’re so eager
to please.”
Mazzio’s hires the students to fold pizza
boxes, McAlister’s offers them work cleaning
the restaurant before it opens, and Brown
Bottling Company taught them assembly line
production when the Phase 2 students packed
swag bags for the company.
All the students help make the pottery
which they sell in Gathering Grounds, a
coffee shop operated by 10th-12th graders in
special ed from Rankin County School District.
Other funding comes through business
donations and bulk pottery orders. Before the
Christmas holidays, the group takes their
pottery on travel shows to the schools so
teachers can shop for Christmas presents.
Jacobsen said, “Everything is job related.
We treat them like they’re our employees.
That means teaching them to give high fives
or fist bumps instead of hugs. You can’t hug
at work!”
After a year of hands-on training, most
students are ready for employment and
independent living. Smith is responsible for
connecting students with employees and,
when necessary, securing independent
living quarters.
“We’re like family,” Jacobsen said as she
examined the pottery a student was cleaning.
“My daughters, Ella Claire and Maggie, ride
the elementary school bus here after school,
and they don’t see any difference in our
students. Maggie loves reading to them.”
Jacobsen paused, and with an obvious
love for her work and students said, “They
just want to be treated like normal humans.”
Phase 2 training and willing employers are
making that happen. l
Hometown Brandon • 37