Walton Options serves individuals with disabilities of all ages, including young people on their journey toward independence. The Youth Services Teams in Georgia and South Carolina offer programs that provide valuable knowledge today to empower future success. These programs include a youth transitions initiative with local schools, Peer Support Groups for students and young adults (ages 14-24), monthly meet-ups and summer activities, as well as adaptive camps in partnership with the Walton Foundation for Independence, such as Camp To Be Independent (TBI) and Walton Family Weekend Retreat.
OH YEA!
Options are available for youth ages 14 to 24 with disabilities!
Are you and your child looking for individualized/group support as together you look to the future and a career?
Do you want to encourage self-confidence, critical thinking, leadership skills, resilience and much more?
We have the resources for you! Through our work with partners in Georgia and South Carolina, The Occupational Horizons Youth Empowering Activities (OH YEA!) program offers a variety of transition resources for youth in various settings.
As an extension of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), The OH YEA! Program reaches youth as they look to the future in school and beyond. We do this through:
- Entrepreneurial Skills Training
- Financial Planning
- Pre-Employment Skills
- Self-Determination Training
- Person-Centered Planning
- Self-Advocacy Skills Training
- Tutoring Referral Services
- Work Experience Opportunities
- Post-secondary Enrollment Counseling
If you are interested in the OH YEA! Program in South Carolina, please let us know! We have set up an interest from online for you to submit your details so we can follow up directly with you about your options.
OH YEA! Pre-ETS 2024/25 Interest Form
OH YEA! is offered in our South Carolina counties(Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick, Barnwell, Colleton, Allendale, Bamberg, Jasper, and Beaufort Counties) as part of our CareerBOOST partnership with South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation and the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. To find out more about the OH YEA! program in your area, contact one our three Office Locations.
Building Empowered Youth!
One of our Peer Support Groups is designed specifically for young adults 18 to 26 with disabilities looking to build their independence and connect with others sharing similar experiences. It is all about Building Empowered Youth! BE YOU works with young adults to help them build their confidence, connect with other young adults, build their skills and expand their future opportunities. The group regularly explores hot topics and looks for exciting things to participate in.
They focus on:
- Social Skills
- Advocacy
- Transition Skills
- Employment Skills
- Understanding your Rights and Accommodations as an individual
- Life Skills
- Peer Support
BE YOU lets members know that they are not alone with Peer Support every time they meet. Click here to find out more about BE YOU! on Facebook.
Pathways 2 Partnerships
We are also proud to be a partner with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) and Columbia County Schools in Pathways to Partnerships (P2P). The mission for the partnership is to substantially improve training and preparation of children and youth with disabilities in Georgia to eventually obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment (CIE) in conjunction and coordination with other state, local and private entities.
Pathways to Partnerships has three goals to accomplish the mission.
- Goal 1: Increase children and youth with disabilities and their families’ ability to access available resources to achieve positive post-secondary outcomes and competitive integrated employment (CIE) through participation in innovative P2P instructional programming.
- Goal 2: Foster strategic collaborations and partnerships among entities (GVRA, CILs, LEAs, SEA, and other youth service professionals) to promote shared accountability for children and youth with disabilities. Developing a seamless transition system that supports both individuals and providers, while identifying and removing barriers, leveraging unique strengths, increasing capacity, and fostering collective collaboration among all entities involved.
- Goal 3: Increase children and youth with disabilities and their families’ ability to access available resources to achieve positive post-secondary outcomes and competitive integrated employment (CIE) through systematic outreach and sharing of available resources in local communities and state.
The Pathways to Partnerships grant has initially been funded for five years beginning in 2023.
Camp To Be Independent
At Camp To Be Independent (TBI), kids with traumatic brain injuries can just be kids. Camp TBI is an annual weeklong, spend-the-night camp offered at no cost for children and young adults (ages 8-21) with disabilities resulting from a traumatic brain injury, including: Injuries at birth, Stroke, Brain tumors, and Trauma.
Walton Options partners with Walton Foundation for Independence to host Camp TBI. Camp is held at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Ga., a fully accessible campsite featuring: spacious cabins, gym and amphitheater, medical lodge, media center with a teaching center and photography room, an arts center for dance and drama, a library, arts and crafts building, an accessible playground and pool, riding ring, biking paths, climbing wall, zip line and more.
Camp activities include:
- Group games
- Sporting activities including horseback riding & ropes course
- Swimming & Fishing
- Arts and crafts
- Dances & Karaoke
- Talent nights
Every level of ability can participate as every effort has been made to reduce barriers and provide accommodation—even those who are wheelchair/mobility device users—can participate. During the week of camp, each child also sets an individual goal to work toward with their counselor, with an overall goal of furthering each child’s independence.
Walton Family Weekend Retreat
Children ages 6 to 18 with physical disabilities, along with their families, are invited to join Walton Options for a family retreat! Moms, dads, siblings, and young adults with disabilities are all welcome to participate in fun camp activities together. Families will have the opportunity—perhaps for the first time ever—to experience adaptive outdoor activities, from soaring on a zip line to climbing a ropes course. Each family will stay together in their own cabin, making it a truly memorable experience!
For more information about Camp TBI or Walton Family Weekend Retreat, please visit the Camp Information Page.
If you are interested in any of our Youth Programs or Services, please contact Walton Options on 706-724-6262 to speak with an Information and Referral Specialist. Or complete the Self-Referral Form online by clicking here.
For more information about other programs, please click on the buttons below:
Assistive Technology &
Home Modifications
Employment Services
GA Vision Program
Nursing Home Transitions
STAR Program Hub
Work Incentives Planning and
Assistance (WIPA) Programs