Each public school child who receives special education services must have an Individual Education Plan (IEP).  This legal document is an education plan that addresses the specific needs of each student with multiple disabilities.  One aspect of the IEP is community experience/education. A collaboration was formed by the Boone County Cooperative Extension Service with the Walton Verona School District and the Boone County School District to provide classes for the community experience.  Six high school classes, two middle school classes and three elementary school classes attended monthly sessions.  

Students came to the Boone County Cooperative Extension Office.  The facility has a large 4-H activity room and demonstration/teaching kitchen allowing for a broad range of activities that would be difficult in the school classroom.  Basic life skills were presented which included: dental health, nutrition, food safety, personal hygiene, and physical fitness.  The agent and teachers coordinated other aspects of the IEP for their students.  Activities promoted fine and gross motor skills, math and social skills.  One class concentrated on independent living skills as the students practice basic food preparation, reading comprehension, math skills, and food and kitchen safety.  Extension educational materials were sent home to the parents. 

At the conclusion of the school year the teachers and para-educators were surveyed.  In addition to progressing toward their individual academic goals, students were more active, improved social behavior and personal hygiene.  Numerous teachers stated the program enhanced what they were doing in their classroom.  Throughout the past 15 years over 950 students have gone through the program.