FAQ
You can choose to dis-enroll your child from the public school and enroll your child into Lexingtons autism high school program, VEST program, or HELP program depending on their educational track. You will have to meet with our tuition specialist to ensure your child meets the qualifications for the empowerment scholarship program (ESA) prior to acceptance into the program.
Unfortunately, once your child has graduated from an Arizona public school/or Charter they have graduated and their secondary educational journey ends. However, we do have an adult day program (DTA) that can accept any adult with special needs through ALTCS and DDD.
Unfortunately they will no longer qualify for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program through the AZ department of education.
The goal of the VEST program is to teach your child to be as independent as possible. We cannot guarantee competitive employment, but our overall aim is to solely focus on vocational education and supported job training. This includes career exploration, job shadowing and work experiences both on campus and in the community, leading to competitive employment.
Yes, your child will need to be assessed to ensure that the VEST program is a good fit for their educational and vocational development. Remember competitive employment is the goal of the program. We do not separate the program by functioning level of student, however we do take into consideration behaviors, and other factors that could be difficult for potential employers to overcome when seeking competitive employment.
This is possible, and depending on the student, and where they are when they come to us is highly encouraged but not required. Details such as this, and determining the right track for your child’s development is an area we can discuss at intake. Remember, within the first 45 days of enrollment we review and/or revise the IEP.
Lexington Education Foundation accepts donations throughout the year. Donations must be made prior to filing your taxes. For donations made between January 1 and April 15, you may choose whether to claim the tax credit for the previous or current tax year. In order to have the option to choose which year you claim the credit in, your donations must be postmarked or received online before midnight on April 15th.
We have our traditional high school program that has a focus on academics. Yes, there are transition components to the program that prepare children for post secondary life.
You can choose to dis-enroll your child from the public school and enroll your child into Lexingtons autism high school program, VEST program, or HELP program depending on their educational track. You will have to meet with our tuition specialist to ensure your child meets the qualifications for the empowerment scholarship program (ESA) prior to acceptance into the program.
Unfortunately, once your child has graduated from an Arizona public school/or Charter they have graduated and their secondary educational journey ends. However, we do have an adult day program (DTA) that can accept any adult with special needs through Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) and DDD.
Unfortunately they will no longer qualify for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program through the AZ department of education.
Unfortunately, the HELP program will not lead to competitive employment, that would be the VEST program. Please think of the HELP program as a program for students that will transition into an adult day program or as a stepping stool to getting into the VEST program. Some students may need both programs prior to obtaining competitive employment.
No your child does not need to take an assessment to enter the program. The only requisite is that students be in high school or beyond and who have not graduated from an Arizona public school, or public charter school.
We have the ability to tailor the HELP program to your child’s needs. So essentially, all students would “fit” into our program.
This is possible, and depending on the student, and where they are when they come to us is highly encouraged but not required. Details such as this, and determining the right track for your child’s development is an area we can discuss at intake. Remember, within the first 45 days of enrollment we review and/or revise the IEP.
We have our traditional high school program that has a focus on academics. Yes, there are transition components to the program that prepare children for post secondary life.
The morning typically involves an opening gathering time, followed by reader’s workshop, writer’s workshop, and then math. After lunch and recess, most classrooms schedule science, social studies, and developmental play activities.
Our LEEAP curriculum supports children as they grow socially, behaviorally, and academically. Our LEEAP curriculum is a standards based curriculum that incorporates learning through play.
The LEEAP program is a transitional Kinder program that accepts students 4 to 6 years of age depending on your child’s development.
LEEAP is a center based learning program. Students transition between a multitude of centers that help structure and segment their days. Our center based themes are driven by picture schedules and can incorporate reading, writing, math etc. below is a list of some of the centers we have in our LEEAP classrooms.
Typically students receive a school aged diagnosis by the time they reach Kindergarten; if not these diagnoses typically come within the kinder school year. Your child will change from PSD or DD to autism, if the MET determines this. If your child does not have an autism diagnosis by the end of the Kinder year they will not be able to continue further into 1st grade with Lexington.
The district of residence is responsible. Whatever school district you live in, they will be responsible for conducting the evaluation/re-evaluation. Please let your child’s principal know if you are running into challenges obtaining this meeting. We work with many districts, and often allow them to come in and assess your child during their kindergarten year for this purpose only.
Yes, our after school explorers program and summer adventure camp are for children with disabilities. The main requirement to attend is that they have been accepted into Arizona’s Long Term Care System better known as ALTCS. We do have private pay options available which vary by location. Please contact the specific location of interest for more information.
Yes, Lexington’s transportation team is able to pick your child up from another school or program in order to attend our after school program. For instance, if your child’s school gets out at 2:30 pm our drivers will wait in the lineup to pick your child up and bring them to our program. We also provide transportation home from our after school program as well. All this is done through a transportation authorization through your DDD case manager.
Unfortunately, the afterschool program is not able to provide this level of support. We are required by DDD to work on DTT(S) goals listed on the 90 day review (ISP). Our after school explorers program is geared around fun, games, arts, crafts, and project based activities that help develop social and developmental skills.
The hours vary by location. Please inquire with location of interest to gain more information.
Please contact the location of interest and schedule a time to tour the campus or center. Once you arrive for the tour, our coordinator will give you an intake packet explaining the necessary paperwork needed as well as detailed information regarding the program specifics and availability.
Apply to Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD
Applying to the Division of Developmental Disabilities is the first step in receiving services. In order to be eligible for DDD, you must:
Be a resident of ArizonaBe at risk of having a developmental disability (before the age of 6); after the age of 6, you must have a diagnosis of: epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, or cognitive disability
Must be diagnosed before the age of 18
Must have functional limitations in 3 of 7 major life areas: Self care. receptive/expressive language, learning, mobility, independent living, self-direction, or economic self-sufficiency
Next, Apply to ALTCS – the Medicaid funding source for DDD
ALTCS (Arizona Long Term Care System) is the Federal Medicaid funding source to pay for the services that DDD coordinates. ALTCS must process your application within 45 days. There are two steps to applying for ALTCS: Financial Interview – this is a phone interview with a series of questions to make sure your child does not have more than $2,000 in their name PAS Interview – this is done in person in your home with a series of questions about your child and their development. You must have 40 points in order to qualify.
Once you have been approved for ALTCS, you will be asked to select a health plan through Arizona’s Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Currently, there are three choices. This will then become your secondary insurance if you have Primary Care Insurance. You have 30 days from being approved to pick which plan you want and have the opportunity to switch once per year. Be sure to read the new member handbook and check for your current Doctors you use in each plan before you choose one.
Lexington Life Academy prides itself on supporting working parents. We offer before-school care from 7:00-8:30 a.m. (varies by location)There is an after-school program for Lexington Life Academy from 2:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. daily (varies by location). These programs are services through DDD. Before school program can be obtained through respite or private pay options. Our after school program is through DDD as well and is known as DTS, which would also include transferring DTS hours over to Lexington LLC through your DDD case manager. Both programs are staffed by trained Lexington staff with the intent to provide the best services for our members who attend.
Yes we do! This program is called Summer Explorers Adventure Camp. This program is through DDD at each of our locations. You would need to have your DDD case manager transfer DTS hours over to Lexington LLC. The seats in this program fill up fast so when registration begins it is best to sign up so that your child has a reserved seat. As always we go on a first come first serve basis and this program is open for students currently attending our schools as well as to the general public. As you can imagine we receive interest and student participation from families all over the valley and our “North Country” areas.
Lexington Life Academy provides before and after school care for families who do not have DDD services. The cost is $13.00 per hour and must be paid a week in advance.