September 2022 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

from September 2022 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

by The Special Needs Living Magazine

September 2022 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

Sponsor Spotlight

By Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith

Empowering Students To Participate In Their Community! Red Line Advocacy

Red Line Advocacy LLC is a nonchartered, non-tax school for students with different abilities in grades three through 12. Students are either placed with Red Line Advocacy by a district due to their needs or attend the program on an Autism Scholarship. RLA is a year-round school specializing in vocational training and behavior. Students in the high school program spend a half day in regular academics and the other half of their day out in the community working at a job site. The goal is to ensure the students have coping skills and meaningful employment once they graduate.

“Since starting RLA, Drew has thrived. He loves going to school! I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing Drew is not only getting a great learning experience but is also gaining life experiences. Each employee has exemplified professionalism along with a genuine personal connection,” said Shannon, parent of a current student. Red Line Advocacy Director, Brandie Hazelett, has been teaching for eight years, mostly in alternative education. She started RLA a year and a half ago when the owner of her last place of employment had a mental health crisis, leaving all its employees and students with nowhere to go. She contacted all the districts being served by her former place of employment, formed her own company, and hired all the employees to continue serving the students.

“Red Line is an amazing school that is understanding, accepting, and makes everyone feel welcome. Red Line feels like a second home,” stated Isaiah, a current student at RLA.

In addition to participating in academics, students take field trips and community outings. Some examples include grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking, cleaning at a hotel, filing and cleaning at a library, and working at a pet store. Students work on social skills, independent living skills, and regulating behavior and emotions.

“Brandie and her team worked with my son, Ben. She was caring but firm and was able to help him gain social, vocational, and organizational skills. Her team helped Ben gain skills that his district was unable to. My son enjoyed his time working with Miss Brandie. As a parent, I was happy with the progress my son made during his time working with Brandie and her team”, Sean B., a former parent exclaimed.

“Always believe your student can do something, and they almost always will,” said Hazelett. “When we show students we believe in their abilities, they always exceed our original expectations. As long as you continue to show up each day, show your students you love them and respect them and hold high expectations, both you and your students will grow.”

Hazelett graduated from Akron Early College High School, got her bachelor’s degree from The University of Akron, and holds a master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis from The University of Cincinnati.