CP CENTER CLASSES
Below is a list of classes that are available to the CP Center's participants during a typical week. These classes are constantly changing and adapting as we seek new ways of providing our participants with the tools they need, both physical and intellectual, to gain a maximum level of self-determination and independence.
Acupressure
Offered on a one-to-one basis with a certified therapist, gentle finger pressure is applied to specific points on the body to promote relaxation and ease tension.
Advocacy
Class content is designed to prepare participants to function independently and productively as family members, citizens, and co-workers. Participants increase their opportunities to enjoy fulfilling personal lives through enhanced self-awareness, self-confidence, socially responsible behavior, and strong interpersonal decision-making and communication skills.
Artistic and Educational Activities
This class is divided into two groups. The first group takes concepts in art and explores them, through discussion as well as hands-on creative processes. The second group learns number/letter recognition, spelling, vocabulary and math
skills using educational games.
Augmentative Communication Skills
This class teaches participants with little or no speech how to communicate with the use of computerized speech generating devices.
Basic Life Skills
Fundamental learning and basic skills are taught as the foundation for further knowledge acquisition in a positive and interactive learning format. Class curriculum is focused on the development of proficiencies needed for individuals to function independently in their every day lives. Skills covered include: telling time, reading calendars, monetary value recognition and use, environmental and safety signs, and problem solving.
Basic Science
Participants will explore fundamental science concepts such as: temperature, weight, gravity, the solar system, the weather, and speed, with simple experiments.
Computer Literacy
Taught in our state-of-the-art Computer Learning Center, this popular class offers instruction in the use of computers, Microsoft products, the Internet, e-mail, and adaptive hardware and software. With staff assistance, participants undertake individual study for educational learning, personal use, increasing communication, alphanumeric literacy, computer art or distance learning. Assistive technology and hardware and software are used to adapt computers to increase access for participants with physical disabilities.
Creative Expression/Ceramics
Participants will expand their creativeness by using different media of their choice to create poems, stories, plays, and artwork. They will work both individually or as a group. Also, once a month the class will work on creating ceramics.
Current Events
This is a participant driven approach in keeping up-to-date with events, news, and problems in the world today through reading and expressive communication.
Device Users
Speech Generating Device (SGD) users receive thematic group instruction that develops individual expressive and interactive communication to enhance social and independent living skills through the ability to communicate.
Disability History and Advocacy
Participants learn the history of how disability has been viewed in various cultures around the world. It is through this lens that the disability advocacy movement in the United Stated is studied. News articles, documentaries, and other media are read and used in studying disability from cultural, social, and anthropological standpoints. Participants bring their own experiences and feelings to the table in discussions that range from public perception of disability to the medical model of disability.
Educational Games
This class will focus on teaching basic concepts through educational games. The class covers counting money, making
change, spelling, vocabulary, and math skills. The participants will have the opportunity to work in teams or individually,
depending on the activity for that day. Device use will be encouraged during each game.
Feldenkrais
Hands-on manipulation and directed physical movements are used in individual or group instruction. This method is a basis for expanding and refining individual use of the body through a greater awareness of how the body functions.
Fundamental Reading
Participants will work on various reading concepts: oral language and listening skills, letter sounds, pronunciation of words, sounding out words. Participants will also work on more advanced concepts such as reading comprehension. Character identification and parts of a story will be discussed. Peer mentoring is encouraged.
Fundamental Skills
Participants will learn to understand cause and effect concepts, identifying, matching and sorting of colors, pictures, symbols, letters, numbers, signs, and sounds.
Global Ecology I
This class will focus on helping participants learn about the world around them. They will study different animals and their environments, global changes, how nature is affected by the actions of humans and by natural events such as droughts. The class will discuss ways that humans can positively affect the environment. Participants will be encouraged to bring articles that they would like to discuss in class, as well as to suggest topics of interest. This class will be geared to encourage discussion and the ability to answer comprehension questions about the class topic.
Global Ecology II
Participants choose eco-systems to explore, including their climates, life forms, and topographies. While learning about the unique circumstances under which these places
exist, they also study how these places are constantly changing.
Health Topics
This class teaches participants the affects and benefits of healthy life style choices and how to manage their own personal health. Topics covered include: who to contact in case of personal emergencies, how to communicate that you are in pain or uncomfortable, what to expect and what questions to ask at medical and dental appointments, symptoms of common illnesses, and how to best care for yourself. This is done through expressive communication and self-advocacy. Receiving personal assistance with hygiene and other personal care is also discussed.
Health and Fitness
Expands student's awareness of their health through exercise, learning about muscles that they use for movement, and identifying healthy foods.
Healthful Cooking
Participants will learn about the joy of food preparation and to make choices based on their body's needs and also satisfy the cravings of their palates. Emphasis is placed on the social aspects of eating with others, eating seasonally, preparing nutritious foods, and trying new foods.
Horticulture
Participants will learn the science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants.
Independent Living Skills
Through the enhancement of self-awareness, participants learn to lead a more independent, self directed, and personally fulfilling life. Focus is to enhance skills in the areas of: finances, household management, personal needs, family responsibilities, food preparation, citizenship responsibilities, and leisure activities. Participants will also
develop mechanisms for managing everyday situations that are a direct result of having a disability, and ways to build a
positive self-image.
Literacy and Phonics
This is a basic class in beginning reading concepts and skills. Participants study the alphabet by learning letter
recognition with the corresponding sounds, practice written letter formation/finding letters on electronic devices, and answer reading comprehension questions to stories read aloud.
Logical Thinking
Combining concepts of advocacy, math, and social skills, participants will enhance their understanding of real life situations and improve their problem solving skills. Role playing will be used as a guide to mimic real life situations and how to resolve them.
Math - Advanced
Participants will demonstrate their knowledge by performing mathematical equations of three or more digits. They will work on percentages, fractions, averages, and probability. The concepts of multiplication and division will also be introduced.
Math - Basic
Participants will strengthen basic addition, subtraction, and problem solving skills. They will learn the basics of keyboarding and data entry on computers and other electronic devices. Participants will also learn the basic concepts of money, time, temperature, number value, and order. We also work on identifying numbers up to 100.
Massage Therapy
On an individual, not regularly scheduled basis, participants have the opportunity to receive therapeutic massage from a licensed massage therapist. Massage improves overall well-being by alleviating cramps and spasms, releasing general muscle tension, and decreasing uncontrolled movement
Men's Group
The primary focus of this all male discussion group is for participants to master skills in interpersonal relationship
building with friends, family members, and co-workers. Participants are guided in how to successfully deal with issues of a personal nature, and develop more effective coping mechanisms for everyday situations.
Music
This class will help participants explore and understand new and familiar music. Class discussions will be focused on these different types of music and instrumentation. Music will be composed using adaptive technology and electro-acoustic instruments.
Nutrition
The importance of eating nutritious foods and well-balanced meals is taught in a fun class that also involves skills such as: proper methods of handling food, proper methods of cleaning up after cooking and eating, and how to properly set a
table. Basic culinary skills are practiced including: selecting a recipe, identifying ingredients, measuring, and preparing
ingredients.
Self-Selected Reading (Advanced)
Participants choose a wide range of books and/or news articles of interest to read in class, followed by a group discussion. Key points of the story are addressed, main characters identified. The point of the class is to expand reading skills with a stress on comprehension.
Social Activities
Class features activities in a relaxed atmosphere, with an emphasis on socializing. The choices of activities includes: jigsaw puzzles, word puzzles, free-form or pre-printed artwork, beading, and computerized games led by an instructor.
Sports
Covers any and all aspects of sports: the rules of games, the importance of sports in society, the business of sports, and current events in sports.
Micro-Enterprise/Self-Employment
The CP Center has a Small Business Development Center which provides a unique, self-employment training program
vendored by the State of California for people with developmental disabilities. This unique, cutting-edge program, called Cornerstone, guides its participants in creating a learning plan and developing a business tailored to their individual interests and goals. Operated as a small business incubator, Cornerstone provides a roadmap with measurable benchmarks for participants as they go through the four phases of business development: Discovery, Feasibility & Business
Planning, Launch, and Ongoing Support. The participants gain hands-on business experience in learning how to start, structure, and run their own business, and receive ongoing support to sustain the entrepreneurial experience.
Vending Machine Training Program
As part of Cornerstone, this series of classes provides instruction on how to own and operate a vending machine
business. Participants receive hands-on training and gain real life experience running vending machines located at sites in
the community. Successful graduates launch their own vending machine businesses.
Vending 101
Prospective vending machine operators are taught the basic skills and concepts necessary to run a vending machine
business. Participants at this level participate in site visits, enter sales data in Windows Vending Software, stock machines, and order inventory online.
Vending 102
Includes components of Vending 101, with the following addition of advanced vending operational skills, including: restocking/data entry of vending machine inventory, order processing of delivered inventory, and preparation for the subsequent days/weeks activities.
Vending 103
Includes components of Vending 101 and 102, with the following additions and/or variations:
conduct full inventory of and prepare order of needed items, count machine's cash and prepare bank deposits. Successful graduates launch their own vending machine business.
Money Management for Business
As a part of the Vending Machine Training Program, participants study money management and record keeping, pricing to optimize sales, budgeting revenues and expenses, cost control options, and how to monitor profit and loss.
Work Readiness/Job Exploration
Participants will build the skills necessary to find employment, such as: interviewing/mock interviews, role playing, job search skills, rights of an employee, etc. Participants will also investigate and discuss the specific job functions and duties associated with a variety of jobs, and how those job functions could be modified to meet an ADA accommodation.
Work and Society
Explores the role work plays in society, family, and individual lives. Participants will also learn about the difficulties a
person with disabilities may face when searching for employment.
Women's Group
Led by a trained counselor, the primary focus of this all female discussion group is for participants to master skills
in interpersonal relationship building with friends, family members, and co-workers. Participants are guided in how to successfully deal with issues of a personal nature and develop more effective coping mechanisms for everyday situations.
World Cultures
Participants learn about countries around the world and compare them to the USA, most particularly, California. The emphasis is on studying culture, demographics, topography, and the history of peoples, to understand how the melting pot that is California impacts who we have become. Many of the countries studied are ones that the participants' families have come from, giving them an opportunity to share their culture with the group. In addition, many participants research aspects of these chosen countries to share in class.
Yoga/ Adaptive Yoga
As a part of the CP Center's Wellness and Aging Program, this Adaptive Yoga Class involves moves and poses that help relax muscles, ease tension, and reduce stress. Participants learn ways to better control movement and gain greater, more purposeful use of their bodies.
Yoga for Wheelchairs
The same stress reduction course is adapted for people to use while they remain in their wheelchair.
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