Our Board’s initial focus was to find affordable property for this project while partnering with other organizations in this field, such as SOS Cares, Oak Tree Farms and Arizona First Place. However, it became abundantly clear that for individuals with physical and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities (P/I/DD) to move into independent housing, they need to learn independent living skills. Therefore, we shifted our focus. ​
This program, running four hours a day, four days a week, will train individuals 18 years or older with P/I/DD in the skills needed to live independently in their own residence. Measurable benchmarks will assess their mastery of each module’s skill.
Although our goal is to prepare future residents of Harmony to live as independently as possible, we know that all individuals should be prepared for the inevitable: a time when their parents can no longer care for them. For this reason, our modules and curriculum will be freely disseminated. Working with Columbia International University, we will train 12 students with two experienced independent living skills facilitators. They will also have an aide, along with community and college volunteers. These volunteers will follow the college’s regular semester schedule. HIA students will be empowered to reach benchmarks in daily living skills that create independence.
Our Steps Toward Accomplishment
Community partners will work closely with us to provide training for students in various daily living skills. Harvest Hope and SNAP education of the Department of Health and Human Services will provide training for students in a module on nutrition and healthy eating. Bank of America’s “Better Money Habits” module will also be used.
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The daily living skills module training will also be developed for social awareness and communication, safety, nutritional cooking skills, supported decision-making, benefits, resources (taught by SCThrives), personal hygiene, health and wellness, self-care, making/setting appointments, etc.
In addition to mastering skills, HIA will coach students in independent decision-making concerning their individual goals in life and skills to live in an interdependent world. This allows them to recognize their gifts, talents, struggles, and circumstances in which accommodations in daily living may be needed. The concept of working with others - who someday may be their housemates - and the interdependent quality of community and communication skills will be woven into the curriculum.
Learn more and register now
You're invited to join us at Harmony Independence Academy (HIA). We're committed to helping families craft housing options and providing independent living skills and resources for individuals with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities (P/I/DD). Our goal is to create a place where differently-abled individuals can live, work, and thrive!
Where can you get practical training in independent living skills that will cultivate a culture of confidence? Where each student has a plan for themselves to thrive as independently in an ever-growing interdependent world? Harmony Independence Academy may be the answer.
Located on Columbia International University (CIU) campus, 4 hours a day 4 days a week, following a college semester schedule, our experienced team of trainers, facilitators, and dedicated community partners, are committed to helping each student achieve their full potential.
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Student Qualifying Criteria
Although the desire for Harmony Christian Community (HCI) is to be as inclusive of a community as possible, it has become clear that we need to take baby steps in developing our capacity to serve those who seek to live independently. We will need to start small with the desire to grow and build capacity to serve all individuals. Step one of Harmony Independence Academy will be the development of the team and teaching strategies to support such a goal. For this reason, it is prudent to start with a high standard of eligibility to enter this program as we create tracks for success.
HIA participants will meet the following criteria:
-Age of 18 years or older and completion of high school, Learning Resource Program, or home school high school diploma or certificate.
-Diagnosis of autism and/or intellectual/developmental disability or physical disabilities.
-Completion of basic self-care needs including:
• Student is able to dress and bathe themselves without physical prompting or support.
• Student is able to complete personal hygiene tasks without physical prompting or support.
• Students can feed themselves without physical prompting or support.
• No current or chronic history of addiction or serious mental illness.
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-Completion of basic Independent Learning Skills including:
• Ability to participate and learn in small group settings.
• Ability to communicate wants, needs, discomfort, and or illness.
• There is no recent history within the past 12 months of severe aggression towards self/others or property including self-injurious behaviors.
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Thank you to our host, Columbia International University (CIU)
We are so thankful that CIU has allowed us to have our club on their campus. To honor and respect their community and culture, we require all students to read and abide by the handbook of CIU, 2023-2024-Student-Handbook.pdf (ciu.edu). (Note: none of the residence hall materials apply to our students.)
Some families have requested a shadow for their students.
Harmony Independence Academy understands that individual support may be needed for a special student to learn. Therefore, it will be acceptable for a student who requires a personal care provider/shadow/ABA therapist to accompany him/her. Note: this will be at the cost of the student/student's family. If you feel this is a good option for yourself or family members, please contact us. We will be happy to further discuss the student's needs and support individually.
By our policy, all volunteers who work directly with HIA students must pass a SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) background check to ensure the safety of all individuals/ students/ staff. ($8, cost of SLED check). We may need to limit the number of students with aides. Please note, due to our focus on independence, if parents desire to volunteer, we request they focus on students other than their family members. Please contact us with any questions or concerns regarding this policy, and we thank you for your understanding.
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Weekly Expectations of Students
To reduce expenses, we ask that all students be willing to be trained in the preparation and cooking of all lunches as well as the expense. Students will be given a list at the end of each week for the groceries needed for the following week, based on a preplanned lunch menu. Students are encouraged to use a little of their monthly SNAP benefit. This is not expected to exceed $10 in SNAP benefits for 2 days a week. Students may be asked to bring their actual laundry to be laundered during classroom time. Because of the mixed audience students are asked not to bring undergarments or lingerie. Please be advised this may be a two-day task.
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Session Schedule and Dues
Classes are held currently, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at CIU campus (Pointe House). (Monday, and Wednesday will be added when Tuesday, and Thursday are full.) Each summer session and the fall semester follow the schedule below.
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Currently, dues are $90 per week for 2 days- 8 hours and $155 for 4 days, for 16 hours of training. $360 or $620 respectively will be due the week before each four-weeks of training session. Payments will be due on the date listed in the right column below.). Payments may be made online. Four-week dues will hold your spot (only twelve students). To facilitate staff's ability to plan, students are asked to make a commitment for a full term or full semester. (Students may wish to take additional classes at Columbia International University outside of Academy hours (only during the fall and spring semester) and are encouraged to work directly with CIU for classes being audited or taken for academic credits. Fees for these classes are the responsibility of the student and family.)
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Please call WC Hoecke or Darcie Weiser at 803-849-1011 or email at Info@ourHarmony.org to apply.
