We Do, We Don't, We Do

We thought we had a program.  Then we didn't.  Now we do.  Technically, RJC has a program.  I just think of it as "ours."

I had visited program A twice.  Once by myself, the second time with my husband.  We specifically asked if there was room in the program for her or if there was a waiting list.  It wasn't an issue.  After seeing a bunch of other programs (won't even comment of some of the things we saw) we decided to go with program A.  Program A went to the school to observe RJC.  Seemed like it was a "go" but then we started to hear rumblings that maybe this was not a done deal.  Called Program A.  I was told that the state budget was a concern and they were not sure they were taking new clients.  I said something like, "Aren't all of the programs going to have this problem?" but never really got an answer.  Waited for them to call me back with a more definite answer.  And waited.  And waited.  Still waiting.  They never called me but my hero Caseworker got in touch with them (they had asked him for her budget) and all of a sudden...we had no program.

My husband had left town for 12 days.  This happened the day after he left and here we were at the end of April with no program.  My Caseworker asked "What's your second choice?"  Um...yeah...not so much a second choice.  I was back to square one, spouse out of town, and things needed to move quickly.  I called the school and decided to visit a program that I was scheduled to see earlier in the year - twice - but both of my visits were cancelled due to snow.  Program B was very accommodating so I was able to visit within two days.

This was where I could picture RJC.  Program B went to her school to observe, then came to our annual PPT (Planning and Placement Team).  This agency has various programs and I could envision her being successful in two of them.  They are a flexible enough program to accommodate that - and she will start off splitting her time between a work program and a more recreational program.  My plan with RJC is always about being flexible so we'll see what works and what doesn't. Program B is willing to do the same.

I'm trying not to get too excited.  There are huge state budget issues that are very precarious.  We have to talk about a start date.  RJC will be visiting soon, spending some days there with somebody from her current school.  We have a really really really good possibility.  I am hopeful that our state will do the right thing with the budget.  I am hopeful that transportation will work out.  I am hopeful that aftercare will work out since she will only be in a program for six hours per day.  I am hopeful that the zillion pieces that need to fit together will come together quickly.

There is some sense of relief even if there are still issues up in the air.  RJC has absolutely no comprehension of her graduation.  We will soon be sharing ideas of how to best help her make this transition.   Once we figure that out, we will need to share ideas of how to help me best make this transition...but that's for another post. 

For now...we have a program.  Phew.