Experience Learning Project (ELP) | South Sound/Tacoma


ELP South Sound/Tacoma is FEAT of Washington's model service learning program targeted towards teens with high functioning autism (HFA) or Asperger's Syndrome.


Goals and Intervention Areas within ELP

ELP works with teens to improve their self-management and social problem solving skills within a service learning context. In this program, we work with teens to improve social thinking, social problem solving, and knowledge of the concept of service and service provision.

Teens works towards the following goals while improving social thinking skills:
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Improved empathy
Improved self-control
Improved ability to understand the perspectives of others
Improved ability to predict the social and emotional outcomes on other of their behavior
Improved ability to recognize feelings in self and others

Teens works towards the following goals while improving social problem solving skills:
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Improved impulse control
Improved social communication skills
Improved ability to identify and ameliorate sources of personal stress Improved decision making in social situations
Improved anger management


Why Service Learning?

Service learning aims to build knowledge, character, and civic skills in young people by combining service to the community with learning in other key areas. By directly linking service to these other key areas, service-learning creates a place for service that is integrated into a program's main goal: clinical intervention. 
 
A good service learning program reinforces specific educational and clinical objectives - such as developing students’ social thinking skills, teaching them how to communicate more effectively, or improving students' social problem solving skills - while also engaging students in meaningful and structured community service.
 
Service learning offers a unique opportunity for young people to get involved with their communities in a tangible way by integrating service projects with learning. Service learning engages students in the process, using what they learn in educational or clinical settings to solve real-life problems. Students become actively contributing citizens and community members through the service they perform.


Program Schedule and Calendar

ELP South Sound runs September through June, meeting two Fridays & Saturdays per month. 

            Friday location: Mt. Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church (892 40th 
            Street W, University Place, WA 98466) from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM.

            Saturday location: local community site, including the YMCA, 
            Pierce County Library, and Tacoma Rescue Mission.

Dates:
2011
September: 16 & 17, 23 & 24
October: 14 & 15, 28 & 29
November: 11 & 12 (this may change due to holiday), 18 & 19
December: 2 & 3, 9 & 10
2012
January: 6 & 7, 20 & 21
February: 3 & 4, 10 & 11
March: 2 & 3, 26 & 17
April: 13 & 14, 27 & 28
May: 4 & 5, 11 & 12
June: 1 & 2, 8 & 9


Funding Options

FEAT of Washington accepts funding from individual families as well as health insurance, school funding and Washington's Division of Developmental Disabilities. FEAT subsidizes the monthly tuition for families paying privately. 




Clinical Service Director:
Michael Fabrizio

Program Director:
Nohea Alapai

South Sound ELP Coordinator:
Ruth Burks | Email

Quick Links

Request More Information

2011-2012 ELP (SS) Calendar

2011-2012 Openings

Rolling Admissions

Monthly Rate

ELP: $150

Please contact our office for DDD or School Funding rates.
Interested in enrolling your teen in ELP? Click here to request more information.