2026 VTP | Trainee Information Form

2026 Vocational Training Program

Trainee Information Form
We're looking forward to working with your loved one this summer during CherishAbility's Vocational Training Program.

This form is used to collect information about — work uniforms, social interactions & relationship, communication & behavior, daily care, and health & emergency. It will take approximately 30 – 45 minutes to complete and needs to be done in one session. Thank you!

A note to families: There are no wrong answers here. The details you share — even the ones that feel small or obvious — help our staff provide consistent, confident, and caring support. Please write as much or as little as feels right. If a question is hard to answer, just do your best; we can always follow up with a conversation.

Trainee's name*

First NameLast Name
Your name*

First NameLast Name

Social Interactions & Relationship Information
What does your loved one love? What genuinely brings them joy? What brings them comfort or helps them feel at home somewhere new?
What are they most proud about themselves?
Is there anything that your loved one may be feeling nervous about in regards to this program or being away from home in general? Please share in the space below.
How do they do with meeting new people? Do they warm up quickly, or do they need time?
Do they have friendships or relationships that are important to them? How do they maintain those connections?
How do they handle transitions — new environments, new people, or changes to their routine?
Have there been any recent events (a move, a loss, a change in routine) that may impact their adjustment?
What does a good day look like for them? What does a hard day look like?
Communication & Behavior Support
How does your loved one communicate when something is wrong? (Verbal, gestures, withdrawal, behavior changes, etc.)
How do you know when they are feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or anxious – even if they don't say so?
What might prompt a difficult moment? (i.e. sensory overload, transitions, unexpected changes, hunger, tiredness)
What helps them calm down or reset when they're upset or feeling out of sorts?
Are there phrases, tones, or approaches that tend to escalate things? What should staff avoid saying or doing?
Does your loved one tend to say "yes" or "I'm fine" even if they're not feeling okay? If so, how do you check in with them more meaningfully?
How do they respond to correction or redirection? Is there an approach that works better than others?
What motivates them — praise, independence, routine, tangible rewards, something else?
Are there any behaviors that might look concerning but are actually okay (i.e. humming, pacing)? And vice versa — anything that looks fine but is actually a sign that something is out of sorts?

Daily Care Information
Walk us through a typical morning for your loved one. What do they do independently and where do you usually step in?
What is their bedtime routine? Are there specific steps that help them settle in?
Do they need reminders, prompts, or assistance to complete hygiene tasks (brushing teeth, showering, deodorant, etc.), or do they handle these on their own? If yes, please explain in detail the reminders, prompts, or assistance that are most helpful.
While the trainee will primarily wear their work uniform, it's helpful to know more about their independence level with managing their clothes. How do they do with dressing? When given the opportunity, do they choose their own clothes? Do they need guidance about weather-appropriateness or dress codes?
Do they have any dietary restrictions or preferences (i.e. vegetarian, vegan, etc...) that we should know about?*

YesNo
Can they prepare their own food or snacks? If so, what can they do safely? Are there any foods or textures they refuse or struggle with?
How do they handle chores like laundry or keeping their space tidy? What level of support do they need?

Health Needs

As Christian Scientists, trainees are welcomed, without judgment, wherever they are in their journey toward reliance on prayer-based healing. Prayer is the first and primary means of care. The on-site Christian Science Care Facility is staffed full-time by a Christian Science practitioner and Christian Science nurse (at most job sites). Additionally, CherishAbility hires a Christian Science practitioner to prayerfully support trainees, staff, and all aspects of the program.
Would you be willing to share how your loved one engages with Christian Science and what their favorite ways to do so are, i.e. work with a practitioner, listen to and sing hymns, listen to or read the weekly Bible Lesson, attend Sunday School, attend church services, etc.?*
Does your loved one have any health conditions we should be aware of?*

YesNo
If you answered "yes" above, please explain what we need to know in order to provide appropriate care for your loved one.*
How do they communicate if they are not feeling well?
Do they have any sleep difficulties we should know about?
Medications: The Christian Science care providers at our job sites do not dispense medicine. Any prescription or over-the-counter medicines must be kept under lock, except when under the control of CherishAbility staff managing this.*

I will not bring any medications.I request a Medication Authorization form (to be sent in a follow-up email) so that I can be notified of all policies.I'd like to have a conversation about this with the CherishAbility Program Director.
Permission to Treat:*

A. I authorize and request CherishAbility and the work site in cases of health emergency to make any and all appropriate and reasonable health treatment decisions. I understand this may include but is not limited to engaging a Christian Science practitioner, engaging a Christian Science nurse, being admitted into a Christian Science care facility, providing first aid/CPR, contacting emergency medical services, providing emergency transportation, and being admitted into a clinic or hospital. I understand that every effort will be made to reach the emergency contact as soon as possible. However, if deemed necessary before contact can be made, I also grant permission to receive such emergency care.B. I refuse to authorize any form of medical treatment beyond what is required by state law, and I release CherishAbility and the work site from all liability.
If you answered "B" to the previous question: Please specify any actions that you authorize to be taken.

What Only You Know

You are a super amazing caregiver and probably don't realize all of the things you do in a day to support your loved one. The following questions are designed to bring to light the things that are easy to forget to mention.
Is there anything you do every day for your loved one that you've never had to explain to anyone before that would be helpful for us to know?
What do you wish every new caregiver knew within the first few days?
Has your loved one had a difficult experience with a caregiver or in a program before? What happened and what would have helped?
What would success look like in this program to you?
Is there anything on this form you weren't sure how to answer — something about your loved one that's hard to explain or put into words?

Emergency Contact Information
Primary contact in the unexpected case of an emergency*

First NameLast Name
Primary emergency contact's relationship to you*
Primary emergency contact phone number*
Secondary contact person if primary contact cannot be reached in the unexpected case of emergency*

First NameLast Name
Secondary emergency contact relationship to you*
Secondary emergency contact phone number*

Should be Empty:

2026 Vocational Training Program

Work Uniforms

Social Interactions & Relationship Information

Communication & Behavior Support

Daily Care Information

Health Needs

What Only You Know

Emergency Contact Information