Postsecondary Education: A Pathway for Raising Expectations in Employment

Brianne Kennedy, MS, CRCSan Diego Community College District

Wilbert Francis, MBAUCLA, Tarjan Center

Community of PracticeDecember 2-3, 2013

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Purpose of the PresentationThree primary objectives of this workshop:

O Professionals will expand their consideration of PSE to individuals whom they might not have considered before.

O Participants will learn about non-traditional ways PSE can be utilized as a pathway to employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

O To provide a tangible road map for professionals to utilize to facilitate the transition to PSE.

Far Too Few Youth are Employed in California

75,450 working age individuals with DD served by regional centers70% are in day programs14% in work activity programs8% in group supported employment6% in individual employment(2011-2012 DDS Annual Report & StateData)

Why Postsecondary Education?O Students with intellectual disabilities who had some type

of PSE experience were much more likely to:

o obtain competitive employmento require fewer supportso earn higher wageso have increased self-esteemo Have expanded social networks that included students

without disabilities

O With even less than four years of PSE, PWD are employed at double the rate of those with just a high school diploma.

Why Postsecondary Education? O Families and individuals are concerned about:

o social networks after transitionso adequate support for job success o coordination with adult service providers o living arrangements and o available post-school options

O National VR database (RSA 911): Youth with ID were 26% more likely to leave VR with a paid job and earn a 73% higher weekly income

O Youth not willing to be relegated to day programs or segregated employment

Landscape of Postsecondary Education

OThousands of youth enrolled in PSE

OLegal/Public Policy (HEOA of 2008)

OFunding

o Federal TPSID o 27 Nationally and 3 in California

OExisting PSE models in transition and higher education

o K12o 2 & 4 year colleges

TPSID Programs

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College Programs for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism

O College to Career (C2C) programs are postsecondary programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID)

O Provide instruction, campus supports, job development and placement services for students with ID (categorized as DDL)

O Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) funded initiative developed in FY 2010-2011 in collaboration with the California Community Colleges' Chancellor's Office

What is College to Career (C2C)?

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Unique Features of College to CareerFunding DOR funded 5 California Community Colleges (pilot sites)for four years

College Locations Santa Rosa Jr. College, Sacramento City College,College of Alameda, North Orange County CommunityCollege District and San Diego Community College District

StudentsRegional Center Consumers and DOR Clients

Goal of C2CEmployment of students with ID in a career area of their choice

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DOR Contract: Purpose

OGoal of C2C

O Employment – REAL JOBS FOR REAL WAGES in a career area of student choice

O Successful case closure into employment

O Students attend local college and avail themselves of a quality inclusive higher education focused on employment

DOR, California Community College Chancellor’s Office and Tarjan Center

CollaborationO DOR administers the contract and provides additional

services as determined by the Individual Plan for Employment (IPE)

O Tarjan Center UCEDD: Coordinating role for Training, TA and Program Evaluation

O CCCCO: Funds Tarjan Center, supports colleges implementation of programs

The goal of the grant is to build the capacity of CA state systems and local communities to increase the number of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and other developmental disabilities (DD) in integrated competitive employment.

Mission of CECY

The mission of CECY is to increase the number of youth and young adults with developmental disabilities who are getting good jobs and earning money by working in careers of their choice.

CECY Community Conversations

Community Conversations aim to build awareness, tap into existing opportunities, as well as cultivate new allies and partners.

OThis is an opportunity to develop new ‘allies’…members from the community who typically are not asked to engage in a conversation about our youth.OIt’s strictly focused on existing untapped opportunitiesOIt’s a strengths oriented discussionOIt’s drawing out from the discussion, “what is possible now!”

What is the focus of CECY’s Community Conversations?

Focal Question: How can we increase the employment of youth with disabilities in our communities?

What are the existing assets in our community? What do we know that is working for youth with

intellectual and other developmental disabilities? What role can my organization play? What can I do? Who do I know that should be part of this effort?

Career Technical Education Linkages

O California Department of Education's $250 million Career Pathway Investment Trust Fund

O AB 86O Adult Education Planning Grants

O SB 1070O Career Technical Education Pathways Program

Grant

What Does the College Environment Have to Offer?

O Increased expectationsO Exposure to a diverse and inclusive student

populationO Professional communication

o Instructors, Peers, CounselorsO Self-advocacy

o Request and utilize accommodationsO Increased responsibilityO Social networks

o Campus activities and clubsO Vocational training coursesO Campus work experience and job samplingO Independent navigation

Transferrable Elements to Inclusive Work Settings

O Student learn to:O Utilize natural supportsO Work effectively in groupsO Soft skills needed in the workplaceO Communicate with supervisors and co-workersO Increased confidence and self-worthO Improve time management and organizationO Industry specific knowledge and skills

Hello I am Miss Amanda Terrones

Job of a Child Care WorkerO Organize and leadO Read Educational and fun

books to the children

O Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines o Play gameso Attend to their basic needs

O Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore

O Keep Children Safe

My classes at Miramar CollegeO Child Development 180- Health and Safety

o 3 Units o My grade was a B

O Child Development 141- Child, Family & Communityo 3 unitso My grade was a C

O Child Development 111- Music and Movemento 3 unitso I am hoping to get an A, B or C

O I have also taken Aquatic Fitness, Tennis, Keyboarding, Accessible Computer lab and C2C Classes

What I have learned

O I have learned how to make lesson plans. O I have learned how to lead a circle timeO I have learned about health and safetyO I have also got my CPR cardO I have actually led circle time and a lesson plan at

Walker Elementary preschoolO I have learned lots of fun songs to sing with preschool

children

CPR

My Internship

O Walker Elementary SchoolO I work in the pre-K class with 3-5 year oldsO I do arts and crafts with the kidsO I also help Ms. Roma Weaver with circle timeO I volunteer 3 days per weekO Ms. Weaver likes my help so much that she said

after I am done with my certificate she will help me and the C2C staff find a paid job for me!

College 2 Career Snapshots

Introduce Critical College Success Skills Early

O Student Plannerso Schedule appointmento Homework assignments

O Travel Trainingo Community safety

O Computer Skillso Professional emailo Microsoft Wordo Flash drive

O Self-Advocacyo Active participation in IEP planning

O Money ManagementO Completing Applications

Considerations for PSE Transition Planning

O Start the planning early!O Don’t eliminate PSE as an option based solely on

student’s academic aptitudeO Learn about local college’s supports and services for

students with disabilitiesO Identify student’s strengths, skills, learning style,

interests and environmental demandsO Think and search outside the box for PSE supports

that will work for your studentO Make sure it is the student who wants to experience

PSE

Transition to PSE Road Map

O Preparing students and parents for the differences between high school and college

O How to reinforce critical college success skills at home and in secondary settings

O Step by step process of getting connected to college

O Seamless transition timelineO Additional web links and resources

Questions???

Remember, PSE is an option for all… including individuals with intellectual disabilities!

Thank you!