January 2023 Newsletter

To our Advance LA Community,

Happy New Year! We wish you a happy and healthy 2023. Each new year offers an exciting opportunity for a fresh start and new beginnings. No one is ever too old to set another goal or dream a new dream. So, let’s get started!

In this month’s blogpost, we discuss how a New Year is the perfect time to set a goal and to start taking the small steps toward achievement. Goal setting is empowering because it provides a focus and a true sense of accomplishment when the goal is met. Setting a realistic goal is a skill of knowing how to make dreams a reality.

Advance LA’s mission is to help our clients advance to independent adulthood. Our Life Skills Coaches meet with their clients remotely, or in person, to provide support and guidance in areas including academics, executive functioning, time management, organization, social/dating skills, job/internship obtainment and maintenance, and independent living skills.

Please contact us at advancela@thehelpgroup.org for more information.

Wishing you all the best,
Jeri Rochman, JD, MS
Program Coordinator
Advance LA

“Take the first step. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step” 
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

These are truly wise words from Dr. King. The beginning of a new year is a fresh start, the perfect time to set a goal and work toward the wonderful feeling of achieving it. Setting a measurable goal is more likely to lead to success in seeing your hopes, dreams, and plans come to fruition. in addition, setting a goal can trigger a new behavior, and keep you focused on what you want to achieve. And there is the delightful feeling of mastery when you have met your goal.

Our Advance LA Coaches teach their clients to set S.M.A.R.T. goals. A S.M.A.R.T. goal is one that is Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. The reason for setting a S.M.A.R.T. goal is that you can’t manage what you can’t measure and you can’t improve upon something you don’t properly manage.  Our Coaches explain to their clients that goal setting means choosing something that you want to accomplish and how to take the steps to make it happen. A phrase that our Coaches use is, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.”

Upcoming Events & More

Parent-to-Parent Support Group

Thurs., January 5th & 19th | 6-7 pm PT

Free online sessions for parents to connect, share stories & learn from one another. Parents will select topics and group leaders will facilitate discussions and offer guidance. Meetings take place the first and third Thursday of each month.

club l.a. RV Arcade! – Save the Date!

Wednesday, February 22nd | 6-8pm

Save the date for our annual club l.a. Winter Party! Join old friends and new friends for a celebratory evening of holiday cheer. We will have dinner and dessert, play games and sing karaoke. Don’t miss out on the fun – save the date on Dec. 14th. For neurodiverse young adults ages 18-29.

Follow Advance LA on TikTok!

Advance LA is now on TikTok! Follow us for all the great tips and tricks for parents of teens and young adults with special needs.

Dating & Relationship Coaching

Available now!

Advance LA now offers dating and relationship coaching for neuro-divergent young adults who are interested in learning the social skills involved in dating, as well as the communication skills required to maintain a romantic relationship. To learn more, contact Jeri

Life Skills Coaching

Virtual coaching available for academic, vocational, social, and independent living skills support (individual or group sessions). Contact us to learn more.

Other Programs at The Help Group for K-12 & Transition Students

Upcoming Webcast

Absent Again: Strategies to Improve School Attendance

Please join us virtually on January 25th for our next webinar.

DATE: January 25th
TIME: 10 – 11 am

In Case You Missed Our Webcast:

Supporting the Mental Well-being of Young People During the Holidays

ABOUT ADVANCE LA:

At Advance LA, we offer the answer to one of the most frequently asked questions by parents of teens and young adults with special needs, “What happens next?” Our personalized program provides clients with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, executive functioning difficulties and learning differences the experiences and opportunities necessary to lead a fulfilling adult life. We offer coaching services and support groups, as well as workshops and conferences for young adults, parents, and industry professionals.

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