Become a student.

Supporting your desire and ability to live independently.

Is the Transition Academy right for you?

The First Place Transition Academy accepts individuals who meet the following criteria:

  • Age 18 or older with completion of high school or learning resource program
  • Autism diagnosis
  • Demonstration of basic self-care needs, including:
    • Ability to dress and bathe themselves without physical prompting
    • Completion of personal hygiene tasks without prompting
    • Ability to feed themselves without prompting
    • Independent toilet skills and no nighttime enuresis
    • Taking and managing medication with oversight
  • No current or chronic history of addiction or serious mental illness
  • Ability to participate and learn in a small group setting
  • Ability to communicate wants, needs, discomfort and/or illness
  • No recent history (within the past 12 months) of severe aggression toward self, others or property, including self-injurious behaviors
  • Skills to safely function in their apartment and in the community without direct supervision during non-structured times
  • No interfering behaviors requiring intensive, one-on-one intervention
  • Expressed desire and willingness to participate in instruction, employment and clinical programs, and to include parents/guardians in communication regarding progress

Contact us.

Schedule a meeting for an overview of the First Place–Phoenix Apartments. Determine if the property and its suite of supports and amenities meet your needs.

Contact Us

Take a tour.

Experiencing First Place–Phoenix in person is the best way to learn more about how fulfilling the lifestyle can be!

Schedule a tour.

Submit application form & fee.

Enjoyed the tour? Ready to take the next step? It’s time to submit your application.

Submit Application Form

Meet financial & rental requirements.

Review these important documents and options:

Pricing Sheet
Do you qualify for the Baylee Barradas Scholarship Fund?

Clinical determination

Completed by Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)

Applicant interviews are part of the evaluation process but are not the total basis for consideration of an applicant. In addition to information gathered during the on-site evaluation interview, we request information from the referring agency that documents the applicant’s social, educational and work history. We also request that you obtain information from teachers, doctors and supervisors, if available.

  • When the intake packet, including insurance information, and all requested materials have been received, the screening committee reviews the information. If the documentation and review indicate the First Place Transition Academy is not an appropriate program for the applicant, or the applicant does not meet the clinical program requirements, no interview is scheduled. The applicant will receive a letter of non-acceptance, along with a call from SARRC and First Place staff to further review the determination. 
  • If the screening committee decides that the First Place Transition Academy may be appropriate, an interview and direct observation are scheduled. Applicants are contacted and informed of the date and time of the interview.
  • The evaluation interview is crucial to the success of the potential participant and the overall First Place Transition Academy program. Ideally, the participant will have taken a tour and have some knowledge of what they can learn by participating. The applicant may be taken to a separate area from the parent(s) or guardian(s) for their interview. The parent(s) or guardian(s) meet with staff to receive more information.
  • The interview process includes an explanation of the program (if no prior tour was arranged), a Q&A for the family and an applicant interview with the evaluation committee.
  • The interview gives prospective participants the opportunity to tell the committee about themselves. This interview and visit also better prepare applicants to decide whether to enter the program.
  • The interview process is structured to determine whether applicants are highly self-motivated and express a commitment to live independently, which increases the likelihood they are prepared to complete the program.

Receive notification.

You will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance.

Submit enrollment fees upon acceptance.

Get ready for an exciting two years!

Clinical assessment & insurance process

Completed by Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)

Applicants or their guardians complete the consent to assessment and assessment authorization request. This starts the assessment process informing the drafting of the treatment plan. The treatment plan is then reviewed with the applicant and their family and submitted to insurance (if using insurance funding).

Sign lease & pay move-in fees.

Almost there…the last step before moving in to First Place—Phoenix!

Move in!

Once the date is set, it’s time to dive into all the comforts, conveniences and activities of Transition Academy life!

Attend program orientation.

Meet the teaching teams, learn about community life, review weekly schedules and get to know your First Place–Phoenix community.