The NPYA Approach
A past participant humorously described NPYA as a 'non-program' type of program, which aligns with the founders' intent to establish a nurturing environment that blends various support levels with the experience of a normal life. The program's community focus is designed to reduce obstacles and provide students with chances to engage in authentic real-world experiences. NPYA's personalized coaching through one-on-one and social interactions is crafted to help students develop repeatable skills that lay the foundation for lasting self-reliance. The NPYA staff engages with students daily, fostering connections, coaching, motivation, accountability, and offering clinical support.
Weekly sessions with the lead coach are pivotal, allowing students to reflect on their schedules, set objectives, evaluate the past week's experiences, and adjust their support levels as needed. This review process heightens each student's self-awareness regarding their reactions to interactions and routines. It also enables our team to assess their energy levels, identify which activities may be draining, determine the need for breaks, and decide how they should spend their downtime to rejuvenate effectively every day. Through this tailored approach, our students gradually build up their drive, momentum, and resilience, aiming for the ultimate achievement: sustainable self-sufficiency.
Every NPYA student has unique needs, ambitions, and timetables. Upon choosing NPYA, our team tailors a schedule to start integrating opportunities into their everyday life. When students arrive, they collaborate with their case manager and lead coach to customize their daily agenda.
The structure of the program mirrors a typical workweek and weekend, balancing time for productive activities (like appointments, socializing, self-care, exercise, hobbies, work, and education) with periods for relaxation and rest. Our goal is to help students replicate scheduling skills while addressing the underlying issues that may have caused or could cause obstacles in their daily lives.
Through daily chances to practice in the moment via active participation in real-world scenarios, students learn to establish consistent skills and routines. With the backing of a mentor, coach, or therapist in a tangible setting, they gain greater self-awareness and confidence, ultimately fostering a sense of pride in their ability to independently manage their lives.
