There's another program in Bowling Green which has gained state and nationwide attention.

Life works for autism serves an often overlooked population of adults ages 21 to 30.

The program, which partners with Western Kentucky University, is supporting Kentucky's workforce and teaching life skills.

Our Emily Sisk takes us there as we continue our Bowling Green coverage.

I was definitely a different person two years ago.

Sarah Lamb is a participant of Life Works for autism, a Bowling Green program which serves adults ages 21 to 30 who have a desire to live and support themselves independently.

Sarah came to Life Works from Knoxville, Tennessee.

She was 16 when she was diagnosed with autism.

She explained why finding a program like Life Works is so rare.

Most services for autism were for children, but then they just drop off a cliff after adulthood.

Since opening at the end of 2020, Life Works has served around two dozen participants.

Director Hendrick Sprague Field said they've had folks come from all across the country.

The reason we serve people from across the nation, there are not other programs like this.

So what do participants do?

Over the course of two years, they live independently in nearby apartments, take classes, find jobs, and spend time with one another.

The director said they grow in many ways over their time at Life Works.

But the biggest thing is their confidence.

I get goosebumps talking about it because you have individuals who come to us.

They may have low confidence, but regardless of where that confidence level is, it's guaranteed to rise while they're here.

And that's been the case for Alex Von Haley, who explained how he's learned some new skills in the kitchen.

It definitely have grown.

I've gotten much better cooking.

I know how to play the car to give me some discounts.

I know how to cook some stuff now.

My number one favorite meal is definitely a case of spaghetti and meatballs.

This is teaching participants how to live independently.

Brookfield said the program is making its mark on Kentucky's workforce.

He explained how life works is flipping the script when it comes to the employment of adults with autism.

The rate of autism employment for adults is between 10 and 15%.

At Life Works, we're proud to tout.

Percentage of a between 85 and 90% employment.

So we're totally flipping those numbers on their heads.

And individuals who come to this program.

They say they want to work and we help them do that.

And it's those results that have earned Life Work's statewide support.

Last year, the Kentucky General Assembly awarded the program $4.4 million.

Senator Mike Wilson of Bowling Green explained why Life Works deserved that funding.

This is something that is part of a workforce solution.

But not only that, this is a model and I think it's a statewide model.

If you've helped somebody become this person that is working and it's paying taxes, you know, and giving back to their community.

And so if you don't see the value in that, I, I, I just don't understand how you couldn't see the value.

The ideal outcome for participants who complete the program is to have a full time job, afford their own housing, and be able to get around their community.

Truly, full independence is what our ideal outcome is, and I'm proud to say we see that more often than not with individuals who come through this program.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Emily Sisk.

Thank you Emily.

Life works is preparing to welcome a dozen new participants in September.

And Sarah Lamb, who has almost completed the program, is planning to stud