License and Certification
CERTIFIED AND LICENSED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
The Life Experience School was awarded a two-year license and certification from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) on March 14, 2022, which was the 50th year of full certification by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Licensing rating: 98 Certification rating: 96.
NARRATIVE FROM DDS REPORTS: Survey and Scope of Findings by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services
The Life Experience School (LES) was founded in 1972 and is currently located in a historic building adjacent to the center of Millis, MA. Lewis and Meg Randa, directors of the organization, along with two long-term staff, provide services to a total of ten individuals. This Licensing and Certification review evaluated the LES Community Based Day Support (CBDS) services contracted by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), via two audits.
The Life Experience School is a unique organization that was founded on the principles of peace and social justice activism. An underlying goal since its inception has been to empower people with disabilities to promote peace. Individuals and families affiliated with the organization have consciously embraced the humanitarian and social justice objectives promoted by LES. In keeping with this social justice perspective, the organization is deliberately non-hierarchal; individuals and staff have equal input on the decisions made at LES.
The size and structure of LES lend themselves very well to a flexible, person-centered approach to individualized services. Each person was fully involved in deciding what they wanted to work on and spend their time doing while at LES. Several people had started their own businesses (edible treats for horses, silver polishing service), several had been supported to find part-time jobs at local businesses, and a majority engaged in local volunteer work. Educational and leisure interests were also accommodated. People were encouraged to try new things and felt empowered to make changes in their activities as their personal interests changed.
Individuals at LES were actively engaged in their local community, with ample opportunity to refine social skills and build meaningful relationships. In addition to the above-referenced individualized endeavors, in which people were engaged, many were also involved with an affiliated organization known as The Peace Abbey, located in Sherborn, MA. Social justice projects such as the Stonewalk and the Courage of Conscience Awards have earned international recognition for the humanitarian work promoted by LES and The Peace Abbey.
The Life Experience School promotes a variety of daily experiences that meaningfully engage individuals with others in the community, affording people positive opportunities to learn and exhibit appropriate work-related interpersonal skills. Helping people understand social boundaries, appropriate topics of conversation, and how to positively engage with others were skills that clearly had been addressed and promoted, with very positive results. The Life Experience School promotes a variety of daily experiences that meaningfully engage individuals with others in the community, affording people positive opportunities to learn and exhibit appropriate work-related interpersonal skills. Helping people understand social boundaries, appropriate topics of conversation, and how to positively engage with others were skills that clearly had been addressed and promoted, with very positive results.
The Life Experience School currently supports 13 individuals. Each individual was engaged in a variety of interests and activities that they had agreed to and/or helped formulate. Some activities were unique to the individual, i.e. part-time employment. Other pursuits had been agreed upon by several individuals, i.e. two people had started a small business making and selling edible treats for horses. Individuals also had the option to be involved in large group projects, often in affiliation with the Peace Abbey, which is a separate organization closely affiliated with the Life Experience School.
A person-centered planning approach is embraced at the Life Experience School. Individuals were confident in explaining their involvement in decision-making, particularly with regard to what activities and pursuits they were engaged in spending their time on. Several individuals were also very active in local volunteer services and engaged in activities such as delivering bread to nearby homeless shelters.
Fostering relationships is a fundamental focus at the Life Experience School, which views itself as an extended family. Given the small size of the organization (15 individuals, four staff), the longevity of some of the relationships (50 years), and the humanitarian work everyone is engaged in, the centrality of forging enduring and meaningful relationships was evident. The organization has in fact, extended support to individuals and their families in multiple circumstances that go well beyond the expectation of the contracted CBDS services.