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Show a model cities project Pilot Program Appears Successful in Community limitations of the students are changed, the emotional lack of and the feeling of - problems, depression, self-respe- ct d 1' .tvsssa. i rejection is slowly erased. Their own self image becomes more I,--, P .fcK esirable. Mrs. Noland said that in correcting the retarded young person's problems, the public must also be made aware of their potential. The retarded person knows he is retarded, she said, and when faced by a doubting public the desired life style of the retarded person is harder to achieve. Mrs. Elggren said that they want to educate the public, show the community that retarded citizens can learn and become Girl's group home provides family living experience for retarded young adults. dependable, respectable Some eight girls and seven boys, all mentally retarded, are living in two group homes in Salt Lake, cooking for themselves, dating each other and learning the skills of living found only in a home environment. The Utah State Training School for retarded children has developed this pilot program, the only one of its kind in the nation, said Mrs. Carolyn Noland, a house parent at the girl's group home. Carolyn and her husband, Jim, live permanently at the home with the eight girls. Debby and Milton Beck are the house parents of the boy's group home. Steve Littlefield, recreational director for the program, says that the concept of the homes is to provide a means and environment for "normalizing" the life of mentally retarded citizens. Mrs. Irene Elggren is the director of Community Services for the Training School. The program is designed to enable the retarded young adult the means to use his or her own capabilities in being vocationally proficient. They must personal achievement and self image improvement. Mrs. Noland said her girls cook, prepare the menu, do their life, by Kirk Terry take care of themselves, learn dependability, and even do their own laundry, she said. Social worker for the project, Terry Curtis, said that the home parents are the key to the program. They live with the retarded young people, making sure they go to school, dress properly, conduct themselves properly, and take them out to eat once a week, he said. "We try to establish an atmosphere of trust," said Mrs. Noland. We want the young people "to be more fulfilled, to belong and feel like people. The homes provide the work neccessary in maintaining home laundry and learn make-u- p techniques. On Saturdays the git Is are taken on dates by the boys in the other group home, and go to movies, restaurants and dances in chaperoned groups. Curtis said that the homes are a stepping stone in the development of these retarded young people. Some will become parents, he said, or some may never be able to live on their own. eventually individuals. The staff of the group homes said that they encourage public concern and awareness of what this pilot project is attempting to do. The results are extremely encouraging, they said and the public is invited to go in and observe the group homes. Mrs. Elggren said that the $20,000 given to the Group Homes by Model Cities is the type of effort sorely needed by the project. There are 7 group homes in the program and funding for the project is limited. Steven Littlefield serves as recreational therapist for program. Photos by Roger Taylor. Some of the retarded students have jobs in gas stations and laundries. Littlefield said that four areas of study and individual growth are emphasized. By working in the areas of academic, physical, social and emotional problems, said Littlefield, the retarded person can become ''normalized hold those jobs, and lead a respectable life. Basic studies into the four general problem areas takes the form of enjoyable activities for Terry Curtis is sociologist 'for the Training School program. the retarded student. Social problems are confronted by taking the students to restaurants, 0 teaching etiquette, personal dignity and Academic problems are dealt with in a community school. The students Ie3rn to read, write, tell time and learn to count. self-respec- t. Physical limitations are controlled by exercises and one case a young boy with an in uncontrollable arm carried around a bowling ball as his theraputic exercise. Littlefield said the boy loves to bowl and Mrs. Irene Elggren, director of Utah State Training School Division in S. L. C. is pleased with results of the group home project. is regaining the use of his arm. Emotional problems are usually confronted while the other problem areas are worked on. Littlefield said that as the social, physical and academic ' ' " ' I" |