Most of the clients in the Mary Davis Home are enrolled in school full-time. However, for clients who are not enrolled due to a number of reasons, the Life Skills program allows potential for learning outside of the school system.  Each Life Skill during the school year may include four to ten clients or more, with teaching done in an environment conducive to enjoyment and education.

 Through this program, different staff members are assigned days, Monday through Friday, to teach lessons to clients.  (Staff members are assigned days in advance, allowing enough time to prepare a lesson.)  These lessons take place in the morning, while other clients are in school.  Although most lessons do not last much into the afternoon, many do take up the entire morning session of school (9 to 10:30 AM).  During the summer months, all clients of the facility participate in Life Skills, regardless of whether they are in school.  Because this leaves the possibility for large numbers of clients in one group alone, the set-up of the program is divided to three sessions a day, with about ten to twelve clients per group, for seventy-five minutes apiece.

 Clients are asked to participate in lessons and give input related to each topic.  This creates a chance for learning and an opportunity for clients to share their perspective with others in a manner appropriate for discussion.  While clients are asked to involve themselves the most, staff members are also encouraged to partake in lessons.  Not only does staff participation fuel discussions, it also allows staff a chance to get to know the clients better and vise-versa.  This, in turn, aids in creating a rapport with clients, which is one of the most important aspects of a staff member’s job.

 Listed below are topics used for Life Skills.  They are presented in a variety of ways including, but not limited to: movies, handouts, quizzes, and open discussions.