Find Independence at TechieForLife
When you enroll at TechieForLife you’ll benefit from comprehensive support.
Because our program offers a variety of options it allows for individualized and flexible career plans.
Educational/Career Path Offerings
- Computer tech training: TFL’s in-house vocational technology program is designed so that students can earn industry relevant certifications in:
- Computer coding
- Software design
- Web development
- Graphic design
- Other computer tech options
- Traditional college: Comprehensive support while students attend at nearby Dixie State University (DSU).
- Trade school: Support for students enrolling locally at Dixie Technical College or other local programs.
- Apprenticeships: Hands on work experience with a career mentor in a specific field.
Job experience and internships: Meaningful career opportunities. In other words, not just fast food.
Admittance into TFL’s tech training program can lead to internship/job placement. In addition, we offer ongoing occupational support.
(Further, this offering also makes for a great transition into other options.)
Meanwhile be supported in all areas with TechieForLife’s therapeutically sound wrap-around program.
Student housing
You’ll live nearby in Dixie State University (DSU) approved privately owned student apartments. 24-hour on-site support is also available.
They are conveniently located. So, all are within walking distance of DSU and TFL’s campuses. These are nicely furnished two bedroom apartments. They accommodate up to four students. Each apartment includes a spacious kitchen and living room as well as bathroom with a washer and dryer.
Use the apartments for sleeping, meals and down time. Additionally, TFL’s campus provides a comfortable space for hanging out and socializing. It has high speed WiFi, big screen TV’s, computers and gaming.
Student Committee
Have the opportunity to serve on TFL’s Student Committee. Then, you can be directly involved in the planning and implementation of the TFL program. In addition, develop leadership and communication skills, as well as, practice resolving conflicts and supporting others.
Committee Chair
Responsible for leading the committee as well as acting as a liaison between students and TFL directors.
Activities Committee
Plans and coordinates weekly activities. For example, game nights, BBQ’s at the park or lake, hikes, laser tag, bowling, movie nights, etc. Secondly, helps plan monthly overnight adventure trips. For instance, river rafting, horseback riding, camping, attending comic or gaming conventions, etc.
Food Committee
Coordinates and oversees weekly food related planning. Such as, scheduling shopping trips and going over cooking team assignments. (Each cooking team plans, shops, prepares, serves and cleans up a meal for the other students once a week).
Cleaning Committee
Plans and coordinates cleaning assignments for the apartments and here at TFL campus.
Mentoring
Benefit from the support you need when you need it. Peer mentors are here to “walk with” you while you navigate day to day life.
Your personal mentor will regularly take you to lunch. They can offer a listening ear. Most importantly, they want to understand your goals and challenges so they can help you with your individual plans.
Student Life
TFL Campus
Enjoy a comfortable place to hang out with friends at TFL. Further, enjoy snacks, comfortable couches, big screen TV’s, computers, a commons area and other rooms.
Activities
Fun and challenging activities are a particularly important part of life at TFL. Start building friendships. Participate in weekly activities planned by our Student Committee. For example, some favorite ones are pizza movie night, game tournaments, lake trips, hiking, bowling, rappelling, rock climbing and laser tag.
Monthly, get out for an adventurous overnight trip or experience. For instance, attend the FanX convention in Salt Lake City. Go river rafting in Moab. Stay at a mountain cabin. Horseback ride through the beautiful Southern Utah wilderness and camp in the desert.
These are just some of the rich life experiences that can be shared while at TFL.
Life Skills Classes
In order to make the transition to independent living easier we offer life skill classes. Here are a few of the important topics you’ll be able to learn more about:
Daily living skills (shopping, budgeting, hygiene, etc.)
Social Success (communication, dating, nuance, etc.)
Physical wellness (exercise, diet, image, etc.)
Emotional health (insight, balance, empathy, etc.)
College Campus
Let us help you get involved. Join groups and activities at DSU. You might even take a class just for fun and growth, for instance.
Health and fitness
Be supported in healthy living. Come to the gym several times a week. Be challenged with fun contests. As well as, receive rewards for growth.
Community volunteering
Stay involved in the community. Volunteer weekly at several places such as, the local food pantry, Habitat for Humanity or the animal shelter.
Therapy
If therapy would be beneficial, see a highly recommended therapist. For this purpose, TFL contracts with therapists. Right next door is Justin Stum’s office True North Counseling and Psychiatry.
TechieForLife Students
Finding their path
Together…
Who Our Students Are
TechieForLife students have the same aspirations: to become more socially connected and independent while they find the right career path.
Typically, TFL students are young men and women, ages 18-30ish. They come to our program from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, many are at various stages in their career and life development. Some students may need to finish high school. While others come already having a college degree.
Student Profile
Neurodiverse or “quirky”
Average to high IQ
Non-traditional learners
Learning differences
Processing issues
Focus problems
Twice exceptional students (high ability with challenges)
Rigid, avoidant, stuck, resistant
Immature or delayed
Executive function deficits
Organization and time management issues
Need more comprehensive academic support
Motivational struggles
Emerging adults
Haven’t finished high school
Haven’t been to college
Have attempted college and ready to try again
Completed college and need help with next step
Traditional college isn’t for them- need a path for what they’re interested in and good at doing
I’m having so much fun living life now! It’s all I could have asked for.
TFL GRADUATE STUDENT
TFL students often need support with:
Developing sense of self and identity
Overcoming painful shyness or social isolation
Expanding healthy social and life coping skills
Improving self-confidence and building resilience
Managing anxiety and depression
Regulating emotions and reducing impulsivity
Developing independent living skills
Transitioning to higher levels of freedom and responsibility
Activating intrinsic motivation
Managing over-dependence on digital gaming and social media
Bridging the gap between individual potential and actual potential
Managing work or school and basic daily commitments
Learning accountability
Balancing school/ work/ life
Managing stress
Managing free time productively
Exercising and eating nutritiously
Improving hygiene and sleep schedule
Not all students in TFL’s program have a diagnosis but some common ones could include:
Anxiety
Depression
OCD
NVLD
ASD L1, High Functioning Autism/ Asperger’s or similar
ADD/ ADHD
Pervasive Developmental Disorder NOS, or PDD NOS
I had a great experience as a student. They really helped me get on my own feet and start living the healthy, independent lifestyle I wanted. The mentors are helpful and invested, and it felt almost like another family.
TFL Graduate student
About Us
Walking with you on your
Journey…
Who We Are
As founding partners of TFL, we are first and foremost family oriented parents, who are also professionals. We have parented our own young adults and teens. We want for TFL’s students the same quality of life as our own children. So consequently, safety and success are of utmost importance.
More about founding partners Jason and Eric
Jason is an experienced mental health clinician of 20 years. Previously his experience includes work in group homes for very difficult boys. He was also a Juvenile Probation Officer. Later he worked as a licensed therapist and Clinical Director at Kolob Canyon RTC. His expertise includes parenting difficult adolescents in addition to transitioning young adults.
Most significantly, he and his wife were foster and adoptive parents of special needs boys. Two of them have many issues in the areas TFL focuses on. Both are transitioning slowly, with setbacks, but overall progressing into adult life. As a result, Jason knows what neurodiverse young adults like those with Autism struggle with and need. For this reason he understands what parents are going through. His passion is certainly for this specific work and focus.
Tech Advisor, Co-Founding Partner
Eric Pedersen has served as a faculty member in the Computer and Information Technology Department at Dixie State University since 1989.
At the present time, he is the Dean of the College of Science & Technology. He teaches web development as well as tech entrepreneurship at DSU.
In addition to his academic career, Pedersen is a successful entrepreneur. He co-founded several companies. He is also on the board for many tech startups locally.
How To Enroll
Lets connect so you can learn more…
Admissions
TechieForLife’s global tuition is $8,400 per month. This also includes housing and food with an average 12 month stay. (Travel between home and personal extras are not included.)
Since TFL offers open enrollment students are accepted at any time. (Although, TFL prefers to accept only three new students a month. This is specifically to keep the peer mentoring model balanced.)
In addition, students who complete the TFL program can stay connected. Affordable options in TFL’s Graduate Program are then available.
See what TFL students are up to by also visiting: Facebook and Instagram.
Would you like to set up a call to see if TechieForLife might be the right fit? Contact us here.
TechieForLife (TFL) is a co-ed, residential postsecondary school with a wrap-around career support program in beautiful St. George, Utah. Students with neurodiverse social, emotional and academic challenges such as autism receive mentoring so they can build social connections, confidence and independence. Licensed as a vocational school, TFL offers in-house computer tech training, college or trade school help, apprenticeships, internships and job support for individualized paths forward. At TFL, students have a place to belong and support to succeed.