Companion Guide to the Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment
Welcome to Vstreet – a comprehensive (and fun!) life skills training and support website for teens. Vstreet is a dynamic tool that uses visual learning to teach essential life and social skills, develop personal organization, and encourage self expression. The following pages outline how Vstreet features and curriculums apply to each domain of the Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment. Use this guide to create an individualized learning plan for students, or review how all the Vstreet curriculums will fit into your training goals. Training topics do not have to be followed in any particular order but can be accessed as needed. Keep in mind many curriculums may apply to several domains. Contents are presented in the following format: 1. ACLSA Domain 2. Titles of Vstreet curriculums and features 3. Main points taught in each curriculum as they relate to the domain. For additional help using Vstreet, please contact the Vstreet administrator in your agency, or email Vstreet help staff at comment@Vstreet.com or call 800-777-6636.
Housing & Money Management:
Apartment Hunt
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Learn ways to search for housing. Understand classified ads. Compare housing choices based on security, cleanliness, affordability and convenience to groceries, work, etc. Understand how to calculate start up costs. Understand lease and rental agreement. Develop monthly budget. Know how to fill out a rental application form, including personal information and references. Know what is included in a lease or rental contract, and what your responsibilities are to keep the contract in place. Know your legal rights as a renter. Keep a record of bills paid. Know the two best methods for paying bills on time. Understand the responsible use of credit cards and the potential problems they can cause if used improperly. Know the importance of saving money. Know how to complete a money order and write a check. Pay bills when you get your paycheck, not weeks later. Budget so everyone gets their “piece” of what you owe. Set money aside for saving or for fun after paying all your bills. Know how to buy an item for the best price available, (unit pricing). Know how to evaluate and improve your credit rating. Know about credit counseling, and how to work out a payment plan. Be responsible! Especially if others are rely on you to manage your finances properly. Set healthy goals for yourself to improve your life and education. Know what is included in an agreement before you sign a contract. Know how much money you spend on extras you don’t need. Know the alternatives to driving a car. Know biking will help to keep you healthy and fit, and benefits the environment. Recognize biking as an inexpensive form of transportation. Realize a used care could cost more to maintain that you think, also remember the cost of insurance, legal registration, license plate stickers, towing if there’s an emergency, gasoline, oil changes, and additional required maintenance to keep the car running. Understand it takes a long time to save the money to buy and maintain a car and to get the money saved you may have to work jobs you don’t like. Maintain your vehicle as recommended in your car model manual.
Communication / “Evicted”, Getting Ready
Household Management / “Life in the Real World” and “Pay Your Bills”, Getting Ready Money, Getting Ready
Consumer Awareness, Getting Ready
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Financial Choices, Getting Ready
Personal Care / “Bicycle Way of Life”, Getting Ready Vol. 1.8
Transportation, Getting Ready Vol. 1.9
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Daily Living / Home Life:
Apartment Hunt
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Understand the consequences of breaking a lease or rental agreement. Understand the difference between a need and a want. Organize important personal information. Have important information memorized, like your Social Security Number. Keep in mind it takes time to build a household. Know where to find inexpensive deals on household items. Keep all financial and personal papers together, in order, and convenient to access especially when you move. Understand the necessary steps to get a driver’s license or picture ID card. Know what’s required to bring with me as proof of my identity when applying for a driver’s license or picture ID card. Know how to clean & keep the house germ free. Read and follow directions on cleaning products. Pick up after yourself regularly, to reduce workload on deep cleaning days. Know how to clean floors thoroughly. Understand the importance of proper cleaning and household maintenance. Know ways to prevent grime build-up and to cut down on regular cleaning. Keep cleaning supplies separated by job/duty. Know how to prevent germs from spreading. Keep food stored securely to keep it fresh and keep out pests. Clean spills up right away. Know what to look for when buying a used car. Take a road test before buying. Learn what kind of insurance is the best for you. Understand how to fill out a car title. Learn how to properly care of your clothing. Understand the habits of a healthy diet, and the importance of eating breakfast. Learn about specialized diets, based on life style choices, like veganism. 1 Recipe, with shopping list and cooking instructions. Learn about your legal rights. Learn what rights the police have regarding you, your possessions, pending investigations or if you are under suspicion of a crime.
Communication / “Celine Looks for a Deal”, Getting Ready Communication / “Packing Up, Moving Out!”, Getting Ready
Household Management, Getting Ready
Clean Living / “Not My Dishes”, Getting Ready Car Dreams
Personal Care, Getting Ready Health, Getting Ready All Getting Ready Issues Include: Legal Rights, Getting Ready
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Social Relationships / Communication:
Apartment Hunt
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Communicate effectively with landlords. Ask the landlord lots of questions. Know what is and isn’t included in the rent. Respect your neighbors. Understand the “invitations” that make you angry. Recognize your early warning signs, both emotional and physical signs. Understand that anger is a loss of power or control. Know your “I” statements and other techniques to help you calm down to prevent reactions to “invitations”. Share your thoughts on how Kim could improve her roommate situation and communicate more effectively with Raina. Follow through on paying bills on time. Be respectful of your roommate’s space and possessions. Keep central living spaces clean and accessible to everyone. Work to keep communication open. If you’re uncomfortable asking questions of someone, you probably shouldn’t live with them. Before you move in with a roommate you’ve just met, be sure to spend some time to get to know them. Also, check with others about their reputation, like neighbors, classmates, co-workers or friends. Choose roommates you can communicate with. Discuss house rules first Divide up cleaning duties. Decide who will be responsible for making sure all bills are paid. Know what your personal needs are for you to live comfortably; Establish who’s responsible for each chore, and how often each chore should be done. Share the workload. Learn how to stand up for yourself and avoid peer pressure. Don’t feel pressured to be “like everyone else”. Think for yourself. Be a positive influence to others. Learn to calm down and take time before reacting to an invitation to anger. Writing in a journal is a good way to express feelings and work issues out. Understand deep breathing can be a good way to relax and relieve stress. Learn smart techniques for dealing with the police. Be respectful. Be a good listener. Learn techniques for avoiding a communication breakdown.
Options to Anger
“On Vstreet” Soaps, Episodes 1-7. Housing / “Roommate from Hell” and “Roommate Decisions”, Getting Ready
Consumer Awareness / “Ted Finds a Pad”, Getting Ready Clean Living / “Not My Dishes” and “Saying No”, Getting Ready
Legal Rights / “Jon & the Subnormals” and “Thinking for Yourself”, Getting Ready Anger Management, Getting Ready
Communication/ “Communication Breakdown”, Getting Ready
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Self Care:
Private Lives
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Learn facts about STIs. Know about methods of protection against STIs and unplanned pregnancy. Understand the proper use of protection options. Learn to recognize the symptoms (or lack there of) of STIs and know the importance of getting regular STI tests if you’re sexually active. Understand having a child will put your life’s goals on hold. Know abstinence is the best way to prevent unplanned pregnancy. Understand having a family is a life-long commitment. Know it’s important to get regular medical check-ups while you are pregnant to keep you and your baby healthy and prevent complications. Learn tips to dress for success and good grooming habits. Recognize symptoms that tell you it’s time to go to the doctor/seek medical help. Know how to reduce stress and prevent stressful situations. Learn how to avoid getting sick and how to maintain a healthy immune system. Learn creative techniques for saving money and having a healthier diet. Recognize true friends are supportive no matter what choices you make in life. Learn what it takes to meet the challenges of working and being a teen parent. Sometimes a short time pleasure can turn into a life-long commitment, especially when the result is pregnancy. Be yourself. Don’t conform to what you think others want you to be. Be a positive influence to your peer group, rather than a negative one. Learn to turn your bad habits into positive choices and new habits. Know about the benefits of volunteering in your community.
Teen Parenting, Getting Ready
Personal Care, Getting Ready Health, Getting Ready Self Improvement, Getting Ready Clean Living, Getting Ready
Legal Rights, Getting Ready Doing Right, Getting Ready
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Work & Study Skills / Work Life / Career Planning:
Career Spins
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Learn about career options based on your personality and interests. Answer questions to discover more about what careers you may be good at. Share your thoughts on why Kim was fired, and how to improve her work and interpersonal skills. Learn techniques and skills needed for getting and retaining a good job. Know at least 3 ways to search for a job. Be professional. Honesty pays off in a job interview. Be direct and honest about your skills. Networking and word of mouth can be your ticket to a good job. Prepare answers in advance for questions you expect in a job interview. Show enthusiasm in an interview and ask lots of questions. Learn tips for great interviewing skills and more. Understand employer’s likes and dislikes. It takes time, dedication and hard good to succeed in school. Organize a daily schedule to keep up with school demands. Learn about some “non-traditional” career paths for women. Establish an action plan to achieve your goals. Then carry out the plan. Prepare for your future. Work towards what you want to accomplish. Learn useful study tips to keep you engaged and motivated. Learn tips to dress for success in the workplace. In a job you may have to start at the bottom and work your way up. Work to save money for the things you really want, like a car. Understand there are job opportunities for people without experience. They may be low paying jobs, but we all have to start somewhere. Understand the “dos” and “don’ts” of quitting a job. Learn some tips for career success. Job Corps, or other vocational training, may be a good opportunity to increase your marketable skills and receive on-the-job training. A hobby can be a good way to develop additional job skills and could lead to potential job offers or pocket money. Be active when searching for a job. Don’t expect it to come to you. It can take a while to find a job, but be persistent and don’t give up.
“On Vstreet” Soaps, Episodes 1-7. Take This Job & Keep It! Also, Find a Job, Getting Ready & Keep a Job, Getting Ready
Education, Getting Ready
Personal Care / “Dress for Success”, Getting Ready Transportation / “Dirty Dish Dog”, Getting Ready
Doing Right, Getting Ready
Self Improvement, Getting Ready
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