New Beginnings Center (NBC)

at the Michigan School for the Deaf

Mission Statement:

It is the mission of the Michigan School for the Deaf (MSD) to provide a comprehensive educational service to Deaf and hard of hearing students who are challenged by severe social and emotional difficulties.  The New Beginnings Center (NBC) was developed to fulfill this mission.  In the NBC, students will have the opportunity to learn new behaviors, build self-esteem, and maximize their individual potential in a structured, supportive and non-punitive environment.

Program Description:

Program components include academic classes, group meetings and structured activities developed to provide experiences which allow the student to learn and practice new behaviors; ongoing support and services to the family; individualized social work; skill building plans that identify student strengths, goals and coping strategies; meaningful rewards and logical consequences with rationales that may be clearly explained and understood by the students; and degrees of close supervision based on individual safety needs.  The services are individualized and in accordance with the goals of the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP).

To be effective, services are provided in the language of the student and with the understanding and respect for his culture.   Thus, American Sign Language (ASL) is the language used in the NBC.

The NBC follows MSD's school calendar.

Referrals to the NBC program are made by the resident district director of special education by contacting the MSD Principal or designee who initiates the NBC Intake Process.