The Arc of Anchorage :: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center

Student Living Center

The Student Living Center provides residential services and daily support to students from rural areas of Alaska while they are attending the Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (ASSDHH or State Deaf School). The program also provides residential services to students from Anchorage, as space permits, with priority given to rural students.

The Student Living Center is designed to meet the individual needs of each student in a family-style environment. Services are designed to promote the development of students' daily living skills, social skills, and other life skills and knowledge needed to achieve their personal goals. Students are supported and assisted in attending local cultural events and other activities of interest to them. Maintaining family contact is promoted through three paid trips home per year and the use of a videophone.

The Student Living Center works closely with the State Deaf School to ensure each student obtains the highest quality education. The Student Living Center provides or locates any resources available to support the implementation of each student's Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Student Living Center Services

A clean, safe, comfortable environment with 24-hour adult supervision
Three nutritious meals a day and between meal snacks (including preparation of special diets as ordered by student's physician)
Clean linens, a place for personal possessions, and individual furniture
Access to laundry facilities
Assistance with shopping for personal items (clothing, hygiene materials, etc.)
Assistance in locating and attending cultural events (Native youth groups, church, etc.)
Training in independent living skills (cooking, budgeting, use of public transportation, etc.)
Bi-monthly workshops on various topics (fire preparedness, etc.)
Transportation to medical, social, recreational or educational events or appointments
Payment for three trips a year: arrival and departure for the school year, Christmas vacation, and spring break. Dates are determined by the State Deaf School. We provide escorts if required.
An allowance (dependent on budget) for assisting with chores within the home
Active participation in the IEP process and school activities
Maintenance of accurate student records
Provide or locate any resources available to reinforce items listed in the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Compliance with identified medical needs, including scheduling and participating in medical appointments and following medication protocols as ordered by a physician.

Eligibility and Application Information

To become a member of the Student Living Center family, the child must be referred to The Arc by the Alaska State School for the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing. Parents must first enroll their child with the State Deaf School. During the enrollment process, parents will have the opportunity to express their interest in the Student Living Center program. The State Deaf School will send The Arc a referral packet. After reviewing that packet, the Student Living Center will contact the family and the State Deaf School to inform them whether we are able to meet the needs of the child and family.

If we are able to provide services to the child, we will send out our own packet containing waiver forms and questionnaires to help us gather information to better meet the child's needs. This packet must be completed prior to the student's arrival at the Student Living Center.

To contact the Alaska State School for the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing:
Lee Waters
Supervisor
Alaska State School for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing
waters_lee@asdk12.org
Phone/TTY: 742-4243
Fax: 742-4299

For more information about the Student Living Center, please contact:
Pam Pearson
Case Manager
ppearson@arc-anchorage.org
Phone: 777-0304
Fax: 279-0341