The Arc of Katy, a nonprofit which has served individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 34 years, will host the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills, or PEERS, at its Jordan Ranch Road location.
The new program, dubbed PEERS of Katy, will expand the nonprofit's inclusive offerings as it works to meet the rising demand for post-graduation resources for participants seeking community, building on existing programs such as its adult day camp serving over 85 participants.
“It’s about finding community,” Executive Director Cherie Duddridge said. “We make sure that whatever they’re comfortable with, they’re getting that support, whether through role-playing, peer interaction or coaching from professionals and other parents.”
The gist
The PEERS program was developed at the University of California, Los Angeles Semel Institute to help neurodivergent young adults—including those with autism and other developmental differences—navigate social interactions with greater ease and authenticity, Duddridge said.
Adjusting the national curriculum for local needs, Lourdes M. Valdés, co-program lead and clinical psychologist, said the practical modules will include:
- In-person and online conversations
- Friendship building
- Humor
- Social events
- Dating
- Conflict resolution
- Bullying
Parents or guardians participate in separate sessions to receive coaching on how to support their loved ones in applying the new skills through weekly “homework” assignments, Valdés said.
The details
The program will be led by Valdés, who specializes in confidence-building with adults and children on the spectrum and special educator Tory Langford-Windslow, who is a professor at Houston Community College’s Vocational Advancement and Skills Training Academy for students with IDD, Duddridge said.
The cost for the full 14-week course is $2,000 per participant, which includes all materials and guided sessions. While she said the cost is comparable to or lower than similar offerings across the country, Dudridge said The Arc is actively exploring scholarship opportunities to support families with financial need.
Get involved
Enrollment for PEERS of Katy is currently open, with hopes to launch the program as early as October depending on filling a minimum cohort of six to eight participants, Duddridge said. Interested individuals or families can contact the program at [email protected] or call 832-754-9802 for more information.
Moving forward
In addition to the PEERS program, long-term goals include expanding services for participants with physical disabilities, which would require facility upgrades and specialized transportation, as well as increasing daily capacity and community outreach, Duddridge said.
The Arc of Katy President Sandy August said community members can help by spreading awareness about the program and considering donations to help sustain their impactful programs for teens and adults with IDD.
“All people deserve to have opportunities for connection, growth and purpose, and that's what our programs are accomplishing,” she said. “Truly every dollar we raise makes a difference.”
