{"id":31462,"date":"2020-01-24T10:33:40","date_gmt":"2020-01-24T15:33:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/healthsciences\/?page_id=31462"},"modified":"2026-04-13T13:17:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T17:17:35","slug":"heelsprep","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/healthsciences\/outreach\/heels2transition\/heelsprep\/","title":{"rendered":"HEELS Prep"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The HEELS Prep program addresses key skill-building areas for the transition to adulthood, including self-management, life skills, career development, mental health, and community safety. Through interactive group instruction and 1:1 coaching, participants gain understanding of adult roles, rights, and responsibilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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HEELS Prep Participant, Max Van Name, engaged in an online 1:1 coaching session<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Program Details<\/h2>\n

Dates:<\/b> June 15-July 10, 2026, Orientation June 6<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Format of Delivery: <\/b>Hybrid format for Summer 2026 – classes on campus Monday, Wednesday, Friday; classes online Tuesday and Thursday<\/p>\n

Daily group lessons, 1:1 coaching, and on-campus and virtual social events<\/p>\n

Eligibility: <\/b>Must be 18-26 y\/o and have documentation indicating an intellectual disability or cognitive impairment. HEELS Prep applicants should be interested in setting goals and building skills for the transition to adulthood. Although 1:1 coaching is provided during designated coaching times, the program is not designed to provide 1:1 support for participants throughout all on-campus program components.<\/span>The program will admit 10-12 participants for the Summer 2026 Cohort.<\/p>\n

Apply:\u00a0<\/strong> Applications must be submitted by April 27, 2026, at 11:59pm to be considered. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and earlier submissions are encouraged. Apply now!<\/a><\/p>\n

Cost: <\/b>We are pleased to announce that there is no cost or fee for our 2026 HEELS Prep program as it is being funded through a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number #90DPCP0013).<\/p>\n

UNC and Community Staffing: <\/b>Group sessions will be led by experienced professionals in the fields of occupational therapy, developmental disability supports and services, safety training, and clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling. In addition, each participant will be paired with a coach for bi-weekly coaching sessions as an opportunity for further application and individualization.<\/span><\/p>\n

UNC Student Coaching\/Volunteer Opportunity: <\/b>UNC Students interested in supporting the HEELS Prep program as a coach or volunteer should fill out the interest survey.<\/a><\/p>\n

Attendance Policy: <\/b>We ask that participants commit to attending the full duration of the program. Our attendance policy allows for no more than two full-day absences (or a total of four classes) from each participant. Additionally, parent involvement is critical to support participants\u2019 virtual learning and transfer of strategies to daily habits and routines. For this reason, we ask that parents commit to providing support as needed throughout the program for technology use, home assignments, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

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HEELS Prep participants and coaches are standing in a group, smiling, in front of a tree on UNC’s campus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Our Purpose<\/h2>\n

To provide young adults with opportunities to explore personal interests, discover <\/span>strengths, make choices, and set goals for a self-empowered adult future.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our Goals<\/h2>\n