Transition to Postsecondary Education!

1. Transition to Postsecondary Education! University of North Florida kwebb@unf.edu 904-620-1807

2. Project SOURCE - FloridaStatus Of University/Community College Resources for College Experiences - Florida FL DOE SAC

3. Premise:The Need for Transition Programs Students with disabilities remain in high school for seven to eight years The average amount a student without a disability remains in high school is four years Many high school students with disabilities are significantly older than their fellow students without disabilities Students repeatedly receive the same curriculum and become disinterested in continuing their education

4. Premise:Successful Individualized Transition Planning Exposure to appropriate student-age culture for students with developmental disabilities (ages 18-21) Increase life enriching opportunities for students by providing an “on campus” experience Facilitate independence and inclusion in the community through: life skills and socialization training, peer mentoring, and job placement services Collaborative Partnerships

5. Survey Existing programs School Districts Universities Community Colleges

6. Student Competencies Competitive employment Self-Determination Informed choices Individualized experiences Inclusive participation in activities Meaningful relationships

7. Program Competencies Person-centered planning Outcome based goals Effective use of evaluation data Interagency collaboration Sustainability planning Clearly defined staff Professional Development Universal Design philosophy

8. Action Plan Stakeholder Groups identified major goals for Action Plan/Blueprint Small group work on Objectives Continued work: Activities Person(s) responsible Performance Indicators Timeframes Resources needed

9. We Need Your Help! Please let us know if you are familiar with any post-secondary college or university experience programs in the state of Florida. Kris Webb: kwebb@unf.edu 904-620-1807

10. So how do we get there?

11. “We go where our vision is.” Joseph Murphy

12. History of OCT • The Initial Thought • The Research • The Vision • The Steering Committee

13. OCT Mission Our mission is to provide a transformational learning opportunity, within an inclusive educational community, for young adults with developmental disabilities, university students, college educators, and community leaders. Inspiring Independence

14. Our Goal To create independent lifelong learners who are connected to their communities

15. OCT Students: Participate in college classes and clubs Participate in recreational and social activities on a college campus Improve communication and social skills Have opportunities to share the experience of living with a disability. Develop friendships with people of similar ages Develop age appropriate leisure and recreation interests Develop and use self advocacy skills. Obtain integrated employment within the community, paid or unpaid Increase independence and integration in the community On Campus Transition Objectives:

16. On Campus Transition at UNF Objectives: UNF Students: College students will have the opportunity to engage in transformational learning activities Students will learn that adults with intellectual disabilities make considerable contributions to the UNF campus and community Students will recognize that adults with intellectual disabilities have the same characteristics as their non-disabled peers Students will assist in removing attitudinal barriers that face students with intellectual disabilities

17. Funding Sources: Program Funding The University of North Florida Provides location and space for the On Campus Transition Center The Arc Jacksonville Academy Grants and Private Donations Student Tuition The McKay Scholarship Program www.floridaschoolchoice.org State legislated program which allows an ESE student in a public school to choose a private school education Private Pay Housing Costs Private Pay

18. Student Qualifications Student has an intellectual disability Has completed four years of high school course work and has NOT received a standard high school diploma. Student is able to travel independently (must have transportation to and from UNF). Has had two community work experiences, paid or unpaid. Exhibits socially appropriate behaviors. Student is eligible to receive SSI and/or SSDI Student is able to communicate with others

19. Student Qualifications cont’d Student is or will be 18 by the school’s start date Had satisfactory high school attendance Parent is willing to volunteer his/her time with the program Student has a desire to receive transition services in a college setting Student has a need and desire for greater independence Cell Phone

20. Student Statistics • Number of students in the program • Fall 2006 – 1 • Spring 2007 – 3 • Fall 2007 – 16 • Spring 2008 – 16 • Summer 2008 – 5 • Fall 2008 – 20 • Spring 2009 – 20 • Number of Graduates: 1 - 2008, 2 – 2009 • 15 – Number of different High Schools

21. UNF Student Mentor Statistics • 217 UNF Students have participated in the Mentoring Program (1 hour minimum for a semester) • Percentage Break Down • Social Mentors 96 (44%) • Academic 74 (34%) • Tutor 47 (22%) • In Class Mentor Solicitation 100-130 students provide emails to be contacted • Average In Class Commitment (1 UNF student per class (20-25 students))

22. UNF Professor Statistics 65 – Number of Professors who had 1 or more OCT students registered for their course 4 – Number of Professors who requested not to participate with the OCT program in future semesters.

23. Employment – Unpaid Internships 14 – Number of internship sites on the UNF campus where a student has interned for at least one semester.

25. Employment – Paid (on and off Campus) Off Campus Sites: Starbucks McDonalds Jones Tax Office Jacksonville Suns Winn Dixie Melrose Student Suites 4 – On Campus sites 6 – Off Campus sites

26. Volunteer Examples of organizations and events in which students have volunteered in at least one occasion: • Presidential campaign elections • Student body campaigning • Disability Awareness Day • Various Department Events • Student Government Events • Women’s Center Events • Volunteer Center Events • Health Promotion Events • Athletic Events • Game Room • Homecoming Events • UNF student and parent Orientations • Club Alliance Events • Nature Center • Spinnaker • African American Student Union • Institutional Advancement • Alumni Services • Intercultural Center for PEACE

27. Community Involvement • BEST Florida Financial Workshop on Economic Self-Sufficiency • Blue Cross Blue Shield Employment Workshop • Big Fun Box Organization • Governor’s Commission on Disability • Variety of Organizations, Schools, and Community Leaders who have come to Tour the OCT • Conferences and Workshops • Lobbying in Tallahassee

28. Accomplishments and Acknowledgements • OCT student is the first person with a developmental disability to be accepted to Disney College for Spring 2009 • Dinner with Bill Fall 2008- UNF Fine Arts Center is awarded on behalf of their exceptional relationship with the disability community • Swoop the Loop – Student Government hosts race that benefits OCT • OCT student becomes Harriet the Mascot for UNF • OCT student starts UNF official Club • OCT student sings with UNF Chorale (past 4 semesters) • OCT student performs in UNF productions • UNF and OCT students participated in Annual DSAJ Buddy Walk raising over 3500.00 dollars for research

29. OCT Residential Program • Students learn independent living in an inclusive setting

30. OCT Residential Program • Students live with a UNF student (peer) also known as a Housing Assistant (HA), to provide guidance, support, and independent living • Activities of Daily Living: hygiene, health management, cleaning, financial management, shopping, meal preparation, transportation training, safety and emergency response training, goal setting, and time management • Community Inclusion

31. “People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates.” Thomas Szasz

32. Your thoughts?

33. Typical days at OCT

35. “We’re going to turn this team around 360 degrees.” Jason Kidd

36. On Campus Transition at UNF

37. Thank you for your attention… Your Questions?