Four-year transition and post secondary, nondegree program, educating students with
Intellectual and developmental disabilities and
Supportive apprenticeship for students who are majoring in human service studies which provides practical experience learning from, and working with, individuals with disabilities








Academic
Program
College of Education and Human Development
Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities 
Mason LIFE Program
Director
Research Program
Exploration
Program
Residential
Program
Employment
Program


To be a model in postsecondary programs that focuses on research, academic progress, campus integration through catalog classes, employment opportunities, and the development of independent living skills.

 First Years-13
 Second Years-13
 Third Years- 12
 Fourth Years-14
Diversity Statistics
African American-14%
Asian-5%
Caucasian-67%
Hispanic-7%
Biracial-2%
Middle Eastern-5%
Interns - 3

Caroline Foster
Sophie Johnson



Suri Raut
Molly Gorden


 Robin Moyher is the new Assistant Director
 2 and 3 year PCP
 Behavioral plans
 Student Health Services
 DARS Funding and challenges

Red Flag Items

 Item 1 – I expect to know everything my student does at the university.
***
 Item 2 – I expect one-one support all day.
***
 Item 9 – I trust my student’s judgement.
 Item 15 – Often I am in contact with my students more than 3 times a day.
***
 Item 19 – I believe I know what is best for my student.


 QRI-5  better/more accurate placement for Lit. class
 Track progress over the four years in program – Dr. Berkley,
Ms. Gorden and Jason Sutton
 FRAME – graphic organizer – EBS – T/TAC – Dr. Fontana and doc student
 Reading program – Read Naturally – Anna Menditto, doc student
 S.M.A.R.T. – will be mandatory (3-4 pm)
 Lunch will be shortened 11:30 am- 12pm (noon)
 Lunch clubs: 12pm (noon)-12:30pm

Fall 2015
 Math-Applied Math
 Literature-Romance
 Writing-Scary Poetry
 Banking- 1 st year
 Banking and Budgeting
 Yearbook
 Mason Exploration
 Human Sexuality
 Public Speaking
 Employment Skills– 1 st year
 Current Events
 Res. Housing
 Community Access- Travel Training
 Ind. Living –No-cook meals
 Self-Regulation
 Mindfulness
 Drama
 Biology
 Horticulture
 Fitness-Water Aerobics


Mason LIFE Classes Schedule Fall 2015
*Offered, Not Required 5/4
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9:00-10:15
Literature:
Romance
Krug 14
9:00-10:15
Applied Math
Krug 102/AT Lab
10:30-11:20
Basic of
Banking
Krug 14
11:30-12:00
LUNCH
LUNCH CLUB
12:00-12:30
12:30-1:20
Mason
Exploration
Krug 15
1:30-2:45
Human Sexuality and Relationship
Fundamentals
Krug 15
2:50
– 3:00
Wrap Up
3:00-4:00
S.M.A.R.T.
10:30-11:20
Writing: Poetry
Krug 15
11:30-12:00
LUNCH
LUNCH CLUB
12:00-12:30
12:30-1:20
Human Sexuality and Relationship
Fundamentals
Krug 15
1:30-2:45
Employment
Skills
Krug 15
2:50
– 3:00
Wrap Up
3:00-4:00
S.M.A.R.T.
4:30-5:30*
Fitness Club
4:00-5:30*
Fitness Club
9:00-10:15
Literature:
Romance
Krug 14 
Residential
Housing
Krug 15
2:50
– 3:00
Wrap Up
3:00-4:00
S.M.A.R.T.
4:00-5:30*
Book Club
9:00-10:15
Applied Math
Krug 102/AT Lab
10:30-11:20
Writing: Poetry
Krug 15
11:30-12:00
LUNCH
LUNCH CLUB
12:00-12:30
12:30-2:45
Independent
Living:
No-Cook Meals
Whitetop
2:50
– 3:00
Wrap Up
3:00-4:00
S.M.A.R.T.
4:30-6:00*
ArtStream
9:00-10:15
Literature:
Romance
Krug 14
10:30-11:20
Self-Regulation
Krug 15
11:30-12:00
LUNCH
LUNCH CLUB
12:00-12:30
12:30-2:45
Fitness: Water
Aerobics
The RAC
3:00-4:00
S.M.A.R.T.
No Program

Kudy Giwa Lawal
Stephanie Boscovitch

Academic and Career
Catalog, Audit, and
Special Topics
Fitness and Wellness
Courses
Sports and Recreation

 Acting I
 Beginning Modern Dance
 Introduction to Cultural
Anthropology
 Drawing I
 Drawing II
 Introduction to Digital
Photography
 Environmental Science
 Introduction to Events
Management
 Fundamental of Atmospheric
Science
 Introduction to Sports
Management
 Introductory Geology
 Global Warming: Weather,
Climate, and Society

 History of Computer Game Design
 Interpersonal & Group Interaction
 Introduction to Criminal Justice
 Introduction to Yoga
 Intermediate Yoga
 Music - Piano and Viola
 Newspaper Workshop
 Popular Music in America
 Public Speaking
 Radio Workshop I
 Theatrical Medium 17


Comprehensive Concentration in Visual Arts
Comprehensive Concentration in Ecology and
Environmental Science

Andrew Hahn
Joanna Santiago








 Federal Communications Commission- International
Bureau
 Smithsonian Postal Museum
 Green Springs Village Continuing Care Retirement
Community
 University Switchboard
 Capitol Hill Compliance Office


Sports Management
Public Works
Customer Service
Office/Clerical
Community Outreach
Child Development
Mail Services
Library Services
Data Entry



Permon Mitchell
Kenneth Johnson


Fall Activities Fall Class Topics
 Welcome Week Comedy Show
 Fair Oaks Mall Trip
 Labor Day Cookout
 Air & Space Museum
 The National Zoo
 Bowling
 Movie Trip
 GMU Fashion and Talent Shows
 GMU Basketball/Sporting Events
 Special Olympics
 Halloween Costume Party
 Celebrating of Birthdays
 Girls Night
 Brown Bag Sunday Service Project
 Thanksgiving Dinner Party
 Personal Hygiene
 Laundry and Sorting
 Recreation
 Relationships Building and Boundaries
 Domestic and Cleaning
 Home/Fire Safety
 Wellness and Nutrition
 Budgeting
 Recipes
 Meal Planning and Preparation
 Shopping
 Cooking
 Fellowship


 Developing independent living skills
 Reading and developing recipes
 Creating an inventory of items
 Creating a shopping list for those particular items
 Budgeting and shopping for those particular items
 Preparing the meal
 Increase weekend activities
 Increase educational activities
 Welcome commute students to weekend activities

Residential Housing Staff Responsibilities
 Assist with cooking, shopping, cleaning, and other activities.

 Encourage participation and campus integration.
 May remind about medication but not administer medication.
 May remind about hygiene but not physically assist with hygiene.
 Mason students who are learning and growing along side of our
Mason LIFE students.

The student must call Mrs. Atkins at 703-993-3905 to let her know.
The parent(s)/guardian(s) will be called and informed of the student’s sickness.
The student will be allowed to rest until 11am.
The student and the parent(s)/guardian(s) must decide whether the student is well enough go to class, go seek treatment, or go home.
By noon, if the student is not well enough to go to class, the student will be escorted to
Student Health Services or to Urgent Care.

Mason LIFE Sick Policy
The Mason LIFE staff will follow the recommendations of Student Health
Services or the Urgent Care Staff to determine if the student needs to go back to on/off campus housing, home or to the Emergency Room.
If the student is allowed to return to on/off campus housing, the student will be alone between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. It then becomes the families responsibility to either let them remain alone or to come pick them up and take them home.
There is no Support Staff on duty between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
George Mason University is not equipped with a Sick Bay
In case of emergency, 911 will be called.

Off-campus Authorization Form for Residential Housing
Students in Mason LIFE
Fall 2015
Student Name:
_________________________________
I have permission to travel off- campus independently to the following places:
________________________
All other activities fall within Mason LIFE Residential Program and will be accompanied by the Support Staff or a student. Permission will be sought on an as needed basis.
Student Signature:
_____________________________________
All other activities:
Parent Signature:
_________________________________
Date:
________________________________

Fall 2015

 http://masonid.gmu.edu/mealplans/index.html
 Voluntary Minimum Plan
PLAN
SUPER PATRIOT
PATRIOT
GREEN & GOLD
AMOUNT
$690
$480
$250
DESCRIPTION
75 Meals
50 Meals
25 Meals


 Must stay for a 2 hour period by self
 Be able to prepare no cook meals
 Have some knowledge of sorting laundry

The units are owned and maintained by Landlord or
Mason. The units are operated by the Mason LIFE Program, with final decisions on room placements.
All units are “dry” meaning NO alcohol on the premises regardless of age.
Unit and room assignments are typically completed by April for the upcoming academic year.




Integration within the overall GMU community through participation in clubs, organizations, events, and activities.



Social Interest Inventory


“Wherever we are, it is our friends that make our world.”
~ Henry Drummond
Goal: To provide students with the opportunity to learn the social skills needed to make positive and active choices for their leisure time activities and to connect with others who have similar interests.


 Each housing unit will have two Social Captains to help plan and promote social & community integration group activities.
Commuter students will have their own Social Captains.
 Social Captains will switch on a semester basis. Pairs are matched to provide peer mentoring opportunities.
 Captains will plan at least one social event for their unit each week. They will meet with Ms. Johnson and Mr. LeSueur once a week to choose which activity they want to plan and will have the support of the residential staff to help with organizing and promoting their activity among their housemates and friends.
 They can choose a scheduled activity or plan something new!

Cost of Attending
Academic Tuition
 Fall 2015/Spring 2016 tuition rates:
In State: $19,800/year
Out-of-State:

Residency On-Campus
 9,760/year is the room fee, $11,000/year is the support fee for a total cost of $20,760 per year
Residency Off-Campus
 Residential Support Fee: $8,700/year = $4,350/semester and the cost of rent. This is about $950/month for a total cost of $20,100 per year
 Rent is paid directly to the Town House Owner.
http://masonlife.gmu.edu/financial_information_life/

Financial Assistance
 Mason LIFE Scholarships (about $1,500 per student each semester from private donations)

 Approximately $50,000 a year awarded
 Veteran’s benefits (pay full tuition, not housing/meals)
 Federal financial aid/Pell grant (based on federal criteria thru FAFSA http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ )
 Virginia Prepaid Education Program (VPEP)
 Pays only tuition portion of the Mason LIFE Program cost of attending
 DARS for VA Domicile


 Award runs over the academic year
 Can not guarantee when placed in account
 To avoid late fees, pay in full
 Overpayment will be by check or direct deposit


 Dr. Berkeley, QRI, Literature
 Dr. Fontana of TTAC with Graphic Organizers,
FRAME
 Human Growth and Sexuality-Dissertation Pilot
 Dr. Barthold– SASICSE Model-Goal Setting in the workplace
 Graff Parent Readiness Scale (Clemson, Utah State
University, and Kennesaw State University)

Director

Coordinators and Clinical Psychologist
Liaisons
Office Manager/HR Liaison
SPED Managers Overnight Support Staff
Senior Support Staff Senior Support Staff
Support Staff Support Staff

 Encourage student to ask for help

 Contact SPED Managers
 Promote resources such Coordinators or Liaisons for assistance
 Contact overnight support staff
 Promote resources such as RAP meetings
 For appointments, contact Mrs. Atkins
 Schedule yearly Person Centered Planning Meetings

 Tuesdays at 10 or Noon
 1 st years mandatory in beginning of fall
 4 th years mandatory in spring prior to graduation
 2 nd and 3 rd years in late fall and early spring


 Knowledge of self
 Knowledge of family
 Knowledge of the broader community
 Desire to continue learning
 Desire to be at George Mason University
 Desire (with support) to try new activities and join clubs or organizations


 Ability to transition from place to place independently (after being taught)
 Ability to use cell phone
 Beginning awareness of making purchases or handling small sums of money or ability to use debit card


 Applications will be posted November 6 th
 Applications due on January 15 th
 Interview February/ March
 Decision by April 15 th
 Commitment Letter and deposit on June 1st
 New Student Open House June 24th


November 12 and 13, 2015 http://kihd.gmu.edu/policy/conference



 Web: http://masonlife.gmu.edu
Phone (703) 993-3905
 Director: Heidi J. Graff hgraff@gmu.edu

 Assistant Director: Robin Moyher rmoyher1@gmu.edu
 Office Manger : Stephanie Atkins satkins5@gmu.edu
 University Coordinator: Kudy Giwa Lawal kgiwa@gmu.edu
 Academic Coordinator: Suri Raut sraut@gmu.edu
 Employment Coordinator: Andy Hahn ahahn@masonlive.gmu.edu
 Residential Housing Coordinator: Permon D. Mitchell pmitch7@gmu.edu