INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM
It is the mission of Waterfall Canyon Academy's Independent Living Program to prepare young men to live happy, healthy, productive, and independent lives. In order to complete this mission we constantly strive to provide the highest quality therapeutic services, daily and independent living skills as well as individual attention and support.
Creating a Plan for Success
At WCA, our "Plan for Success" serves as the road-map for the goals the student wishes to achieve while in Independent Living. Addressed in this plan are goals regarding education, vocation, employment, finances, transportation, and future living arrangements. This plan will be reviewed every two weeks by our student, his Community Advisor, and our Program Supervisor at Independent Living to ensure progress toward achieving the goals that have been set and to determine if modifications may be necessary.
The entire treatment team is involved in helping our students formulate their goals and they are also the support system for successful completion of the plan. It is imperative that each student takes ownership of their Plan for Success once they have one established. A reasonable amount of time is offered to each of our students in order for them to carefully and thoughtfully create an individual Plan for Success. WCA will assist in exploring every option that our students wish to pursue!
Time Management/Structure
Creating a daily schedule and time management are extremely important skills to learn on the pathway to independence. WCA will help each student learn to manage their time to make sure responsibilities are being met, which can be challenging to most young adults. With today's technology it is easy to "escape" responsibilities, social interactions and other aspects of reality that healthy adults must manage.
A WCA Community Advisor will help each student create and plan their schedule through the use of our "Weekly Planner". Responsibilities such as academics, working, grocery shopping, apartment cleaning, etc. will be included in the schedule. Recreational activities and the use of electronics will also be incorporated into each students schedule based on the individual needs for that student.
Personal Finances
One of our main goals is to help each young adult learn to manage their finances as they will soon be responsible to pay for their own living expenses. Students can earn up to $30.00 on the 15th and 30th of each month by completing their daily responsibilities. This money is to be used for buying personal hygiene items and any leftover may be discretionary spending money. Community Advisors will assist each student with their money management skills.
Advanced Budgeting: Once students demonstrate the ability to consistently keep their apartment clean, waking up on time, manage their food budget, and keep a productive schedule, they will be given the opportunity to move on to Advanced Budgeting. This is set up to help the students learn to manage their money with less oversight.
Recreational Activities
An important part of being a happy adult is engaging in healthy recreational activities. Students have the opportunity to enjoy many outdoor activities that Utah has to offer (hiking, boating, ice fishing, camping, skiing, snow-boarding, etc.) within a short distance to our Independent Living Program. Ogden is home to a high adventure recreation center located 3 blocks from our program and offers indoor surfing, rock climbing, simulated skydiving in a wind tunnel, and many other activities. Within 3 miles there are several magnificent trail heads that tour various nature areas through Ogden's beautiful mountains.
WCA is home to many Weber State University Alumni who often attend college basketball, football, and volleyball games with the students. Ogden is home to the Ogden Raptors Professional Baseball Club at nearby Lindquist Field in downtown Ogden. The Raptors are the Pioneer League affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Utah is also host to the NBA Jazz team and staff and students alike enjoy games when occasion permits. Another important aspect of WCA Independent Living is that we form an annual bowling team and compete annually in softball games and tournaments with students and staff from our other WCA programs. Our students also participate in several charity and competitive running events. Whether for competition or leisure, our students have many opportunities to enhance their physical well-being by participating in these great activities Independent Living has to offer.
Community/Cultural Activities
Ogden and the surrounding areas offer many cultural activities. Weber State University, Utah State University, Brigham Young University, and University of Utah have acclaimed fine arts and performing arts departments. There are local museums, theatres, art galleries, planetariums, and many other local areas of interest that are available to our students. Our Independent Living Program is only 3 blocks from Ogden's Historic 25th Street District, home to small and unique businesses with a community amphitheatre featuring outdoor movies, music concerts, farmers and art markets, and other community events throughout the year. We believe enhancing social relationships and networks is vital to living a satisfying life and WCA's Independent Living Program will help provide many avenues of healthy discovery. | 
