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Community Services: Library, Post Office & Bank IEP goals

Community services goals help a student run everyday errands at the library, post office and bank, use vending machines, change machines and self-checkout, and ask staff for help at a service desk. Each errand is a routine with clear steps, so most goals use a task analysis taught first in class and then on community trips. Decisions and problem moments, such as choosing an item within the money available or getting help when a machine keeps the money, are measured as opportunities.

18 templates · How we write and review goals

Sample community services: library, post office & bank goals

Numbers are illustrative; set targets from the student's own baseline (how templates are made).

  • 6-8, 9-12Task-analysis steps

    Apply for a public library card

    Library card, finding and renewing materials

    By the annual IEP review date, on a class or family visit to the public library, with the ID or proof of address the library asks for, the student will ask at the desk for a card, fill in the application, show the needed ID and sign for the card, performing at least 7 of 8 steps independently, on 2 of 3 consecutive practice or community trials, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected at each library visit or practice session.

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  • 6-8, 9-12Task-analysis steps

    Find a book on the shelf with the catalog

    Library card, finding and renewing materials

    By the annual IEP review date, at the school or public library, given the title or topic of a book on a request card, the student will search the catalog, write the call number, find the shelf and pull the book, performing at least 6 of 7 steps independently, on 3 of 4 consecutive library visits, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected weekly during library visits.

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  • 9-12Opportunities

    Renew library items before the due date

    Library card, finding and renewing materials

    By the annual IEP review date, when a borrowed library item is due within three days, using the library app, website or phone line, the student will check the due date, renew the item before it is due and note the new date in their calendar independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive monthly reviews, as measured by frequency recording collected at each due date.

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  • 9-12Task-analysis steps

    Borrow an ebook or audiobook with a library app

    Library card, finding and renewing materials

    By the annual IEP review date, on their own phone or tablet with the library's reading app installed and their card signed in, the student will search for a title, borrow it or place a hold, and open it to read or listen, performing at least 6 of 7 steps independently, on 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected weekly.

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  • 6-8, 9-12Task-analysis steps

    Address an envelope with both addresses

    Mailing a letter and a package

    By the annual IEP review date, given a blank envelope, a stamp and a card with the recipient's address, the student will write the recipient's address in the center, their own return address in the top left corner and place the stamp in the top right corner, performing all 6 steps independently, on 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected weekly.

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  • 9-12Task-analysis steps

    Pack and label a box for mailing

    Mailing a letter and a package

    By the annual IEP review date, given an item, a box, packing material, tape and the recipient's address, the student will pack the item so it does not move, seal the box and attach the address label or write both addresses, performing at least 7 of 8 steps independently, on 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected weekly.

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  • 9-12Task-analysis steps

    Pick up a held package with a notice slip

    Mailing a letter and a package

    By the annual IEP review date, when a delivery notice slip or online notice says a package is waiting at the post office, the student will read the notice, bring it and an ID to the post office, give them to the clerk and sign for the package, performing at least 6 of 7 steps independently, on 3 of 4 consecutive practice or real pickups, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected at each practice or real pickup.

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  • 9-12Task-analysis steps

    Cash a check with a bank teller

    Using a bank teller and an ATM

    By the annual IEP review date, on a community trip to the student's bank or credit union, with a real check and the family's agreement, the student will endorse the check, give it and their ID to the teller, count the cash and put it away before leaving the window, performing at least 7 of 8 steps independently, on 3 of 4 consecutive practice or community trials, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected every two weeks.

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  • 9-12Task-analysis steps

    Check an account balance at an ATM

    Using a bank teller and an ATM

    By the annual IEP review date, at their own bank's ATM on a community trip, with their card and the family's agreement, the student will insert the card, enter the PIN while covering the keypad, choose balance, read the amount and take back the card, performing all 7 steps independently, on 3 of 4 consecutive practice or community trials, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected every two weeks.

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  • 6-8, 9-12Opportunities

    Pick a vending item the money covers

    Vending and change machines

    By the annual IEP review date, at a school or community vending machine, given a set amount of money in coins and bills, the student will count their money, read the prices and choose an item that costs the same or less independently in at least 5 of 6 opportunities, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.

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  • 6-8, 9-12Task-analysis steps

    Pay at a vending machine and take the change

    Vending and change machines

    By the annual IEP review date, at a vending machine that takes coins, bills and cards, given money or a card for one item, the student will pay with coins, bills or a card, enter the item code, take the item and collect the change, performing at least 7 of 8 steps independently, on 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected weekly.

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  • 9-12Opportunities

    Get help when a vending machine keeps money

    Vending and change machines

    By the annual IEP review date, when a vending machine keeps their money, does not drop the item or shows an error, the student will press the coin return once, then read the posted refund contact or tell a nearby staff member what happened independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection periods, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly during practice.

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What community services: library, post office & bank involves

  • Getting a library card, finding a book with the catalog, and renewing or borrowing digital items
  • Addressing an envelope, packing a box, and picking up a held package
  • Cashing a check with a teller and checking a balance at an ATM, with PIN privacy every time
  • Choosing a vending item within the money available, paying, collecting change, and using a change machine
  • Scanning and bagging at self-checkout and getting the attendant when it stops
  • Waiting in line and asking a question at a service desk

Baseline and measurement considerations

  • Break each errand into a short list of observable steps and record each as independent or the prompt level used.
  • Start with a realistic classroom setup, then move to community trips; record where each data point was collected.
  • Use opportunities for choices and problem moments, and stage practice when real problems are rare.
  • Never use a student's real PIN or account numbers in teaching or on data sheets; use demo cards and sample checks.
  • Collect a baseline across several trips, since crowds, staff and machines change from visit to visit.

Progress-monitoring methods used in these templates

  • Task-analysis checklist: A routine is broken into ordered steps; each step is recorded as independent, supported, or not completed.
  • Frequency (event) recording: Each occurrence of a clearly defined behavior is tallied during a fixed observation period.
  • Opportunity (trial) recording: Each planned or naturally occurring opportunity is recorded as correct/independent, prompted, or not demonstrated.
  • Direct observation: An adult observes and records the defined behavior during a specified activity.

How each measure works

Matching data sheets

Each template links to a blank sheet built for its measure. You can also download these sheets on their own:

Common mistakes when writing community services: library, post office & bank goals

  • Teaching only in the classroom and never checking the routine at the real library, post office or bank.
  • Writing "will use community services", which names no errand, steps or measure.
  • Putting PIN privacy last or skipping it; covering the keypad is a step every time.
  • Training on one machine and assuming the student can use any machine; photograph the machines the student will use.
  • Overlapping with community access or personal finance goals instead of choosing one home for each errand.

Frequently asked questions

How often should we go into the community to work on these goals?

As often as the program allows, often weekly or every two weeks, with classroom practice in between. Practice in class builds the steps, and community trips show whether the student can use them where it counts.

Is it safe to teach ATM and bank skills with real cards?

Teach with demo cards, a practice PIN and sample checks first. Move to the student's real card only with the family's agreement and with staff nearby, and never write a real PIN on any sheet.

What if the student's library or post office uses different machines from the one we practiced on?

Take photos of the actual machines and screens the student will use and build the photo card from them. Practice at more than one location once the routine is steady so the skill generalizes.

Which errands should we teach first?

Start with errands the student and family say they need now, such as using the vending machine at work or getting a library card. A short interview with the family about weekly errands is a good place to begin.

References

IEP Atlas Pro

Turn these goals into progress reports

Pro tracks every goal on your caseload and drafts the report for you. Free for 14 days.

Count trials, prompts, and minutes live in the session; the graph and trend line draw themselves; progress reports are drafted from your data.