Project 10 STING RAY

Project 10 STING RAY (Students Transitioning Into the Next Generation, Recognizing Alternatives  for Youth) is a partnership of the Pinellas County School District, Project 10, the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, the Florida Department of Education, and the Florida Governor’s Commission on Disabilities. It offers young adults with significant cognitive disabilities, ages 18 to 22, an opportunity to experience life on a college campus while developing self-determination, independent living, and employability skills.

STING RAY’s mission is to provide an innovative and transformational postsecondary learning experience that will empower young adults with significant cognitive disabilities to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to become independent and productive citizens.

Located on the University of South Florida (USF) St. Petersburg campus, the innovative STING RAY program emphasizes

• development of self-determination skills,
• independent living in the community,
• employment preparation,
• community-based work experience,
• on-the-job training,
• placement in competitive integrated employment,
• preparation for continuing higher education, and
• establishment and maintenance of positive social and work relationships.

The STING RAY curriculum is individualized, person-centered, and adaptive, and is based on the student’s individual needs, strengths, and interests. Instruction is provided in the following areas:

• Domain 1: Self-Determination
• Domain 2: Functional Academics
• Domain 3: Financial Planning and Money Management
• Domain 4: Socialization, Relationships, Self-Esteem
• Domain 5: Employment
• Domain 6: Travel and Mobility
• Domain 7: Community Living
• Domain 8: Home Living
• Domain 9: Personal Care
• Domain 10: Health and Safety
• USF Electives, Campus Life, and Activities Participation

For more information, download the STING RAY brochure here:
http://www.project10.info/files/STINGRAYbrochureL.pdf
Accessible RTF: http://www.project10.info/files/STINGRAYBrochuretext.rtf

Read The STING RAY Current, a newsletter developed by the students and published through Microsoft Publisher! The Current was intended to update the STING RAY Advisory committee on the students' activities during their on-campus orientation in the spring of 2010. Additional issues will be posted as they are published:

The STING RAY Current - June 2012
http://www.project10.info/files/STING_RAY_Current_Vol_3_Iss_1_June_2012_L.pdf
Accessible RTF coming soon!

The STING RAY Current - December 2011
http://www.project10.info/files/STINGRAYCurrentV2I3_Dec2011L.pdf
Accessible RTF coming soon!

The STING RAY Current - June 2011http://www.project10.info/files/CurrentV2I2June_11L_1.pdf 
Accessible RTF: http://www.project10.info/files/STINGRAYCurrentV2Iss2_1.rtf

The STING RAY Current - January 2011
http://www.project10.info/files/STING_RAY_Current_Vol_2_Iss1L.pdf
Accessible RTF:http://www.project10.info/files/STING_RAYCurrentV2Iss1.rtf

The STING RAY Current - June 2010
http://www.project10.info/files/STINGRAYCurrent1L.pdf
Accessible RTF: http://www.project10.info/files/STINGRAYCurrentV1Iss1.rtf

If you have questions or would like to participate in STING RAY, please contact:

Michael Shaffer, STING RAY Project Coordinator
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
(727) 873-4661 or mpshaffe@mail.usf.edu

USFSP FACULTY, STUDENTS & CAMPUS EMPLOYERS! Want to be a “Bull Buddy” to a STING RAY student?  We need some special people to mentor STING RAY students:  Faculty Mentors help STING RAY students transition to college by  providing enhanced learning experiences, a sense of belonging, and a better  understanding of academic expectations.  Student Mentors serve as valuable role models and assist STING RAY  students with understanding and participating in college life and campus  activities.  Employer Mentors provide opportunities for STING RAY students to  participate in job shadowing, on-the-job training, paid or unpaid work  experiences, and link students with on-the-job mentors who can provide  natural workplace supports.  For more information on becoming a Bull Buddy, contact Michael Shaffer,  STING RAY Project Coordinator, at (727) 873-4661 or  mpshaffe@mail.usf.edu.