Practicum for Independent Living (South) - T44034

This class is an independent living simulation “real life” which takes the independent living skills learned previously in prerequisite course material and put them into action.  Students are assigned a roommate and learn the advantages and disadvantages.  Curriculum covered during the this course include: apartment/independent living application processes, damage deposits, move in check list, signing a lease, ending a lease early and cost involved with moving.  Student’s grocery shop and prepare meal plans from a prerequisite class working within a daily budget.  Students demonstrate the skills needed and complete basic housekeeping and maintenance skills that are completed daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.  Students also learn how to respond to emergency situations.

Home Living Skills - T44014

Held at the VECTOR apartment and  in the community, this course focuses on applying the skills of meal planning, grocery shopping, food preparation, food storage and cleanup. Students use resources to locate a recipe, prepare a shopping list, purchase groceries while attending to ‘Sell by and Expiration Dates’ as well as best buy.  Students prepare and consume a variety of dishes based on individual tastes and skill level. Students learn cleaning, basic home maintenance, and  laundry skills.

Select and Manage an Apartment - T44004 (Updated 1/2021)

Course Description: (Prerequisite to Practicum for Independent Living) This course uses resources developed by the University of Wisconsin Division of Extension- Rent Smart.  Rent Smart focuses on the knowledge and skills essential for a successful renting experience.  It challenges participants to know and understand their rights and responsibilities as a tenant, as well as know and understand the rights and responsibilities of their landlord. Emphasis is on forming a strong partnership between the tenant and landlord. Establishing a positive rental history is much like having a positive credit report and Rent Smart starts participants on the right path for success.  (https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/rentsmart/)

Course Goals and Objectives: 

  • Learn new skills to build positive relationships with landlords and neighbors.

  • Gain confidence in their ability to find and maintain affordable housing.

  • Understand the application and screening processes used by landlords.

  • Learn the responsibilities and rights of tenants and landlords.


Intro to Meal Planning & Preparation - T41014

(Prerequisite to Practicum for Independent Living)  Students gain understanding of mypyramid, serving sizes, six essential nutrients, reading food labels, food diaries, and disease prevention.  From this information students develop 6 meals; breakfast (2), lunch (2), and dinner (2) with and without recipes.  Students then analyze cost of the meals ensuring that they are within a $45 budget.

Intro to Meal Planning & Preparation (North) - T41014

(Prerequisite to Skills for Home Living) Students are introduced to the basic knowledge needed before entering the hands-on environment of the apartment. Topics taught include: safety and sanitation, identification and use of equipment, appliances, and utensils, meal planning, abbreviations, developing a shopping list, assembling ingredients, following a recipe, food storage and cleanup.

Health & First Aid (South Only) - T60004

Students will gain knowledge in the areas of preventative health care practices, health care providers, basic first aid, reading prescription labels and the importance of taking medications as directed.  

Nutrition, Health & First Aid (North Only) - T60004

Students learn about the food pyramid, serving sizes, six essential nutrients, planning a well -balanced meal, reading food labels, and disease prevention through proper sanitation.  They will gain knowledge in the areas of preventative health care practices, health care providers, basic first aid, reading prescription labels and the importance of taking medications as directed.