The Florida postsecondary institutions listed below have existing programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Their programs provide age-appropriate opportunities for learning, employment preparation, recreational and leisure activities, social interactions, and facilitate the development of natural supports. The postsecondary institutions that operate the programs are eligible for technical assistance through the Florida Consortium on Postsecondary Education and Intellectual Disabilities. Interested parties are encouraged to contact a representative listed below for application and enrollment criteria as well as additional information on each program.
The Arc
Jacksonville Academy On Campus Transition Program
http://www.arcjacksonville.org/ask_academies.php
University of North Florida
1050 N. Davis Street
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Amanda Jackson, HEOA Consortium
Consultant
(904) 534-7693 or amanda.m.jackson@unf.edu
The On Campus Transition (OCT) program is a partnership of The Arc Jacksonville
and the University of North Florida (UNF). This innovative program provides
young adults with developmental disabilities the unique opportunity of having
an authentic college experience while receiving transition services in an
inclusive and integrated environment. The OCT is a private school (funding may
be provided via McKay Scholarship) that serves students ages 18 and up who have
completed high school course work. Students participate in all aspects of
college life by auditing UNF courses, joining campus organizations and clubs,
and participating in recreational/leisure activities enjoyed by all UNF
students. Students also have the opportunity to live in off-campus student
housing or in UNF's dormitories through the IDYLLIC (Including Disabled youth
Living and Learning In College) residential program.
Vertical Training Program
Florida State College-Jacksonville (FSCJ)
101 West State Street, Room A 1021P
Jacksonville, FL 32201
Daniel West, Coordinator
904-633-8456 or DaWest@fscj.edu
Vertical Training Program is a partnership between FSCJ, Nassau Public Schools,
and Duval County Public Schools and serves students with developmental
disabilities. Participating students have received all their credits
for a special diploma but have decided to continue their education in
a career/technical program via dual enrollment on a state college campus.
The program was established by a grant awarded to FSCJ by the Florida
Developmental Disabilities Council.
Project
REAL
Pensacola State College
More information coming soon!
STAGES:
Successful Transition After Graduating for Exceptional Students
University of South Florida – Tampa
Gigi Gonzalez, Transition Facilitator:
(813) 974-3632 or gonzalez@coedu.usf.edu
STAGES is a partnership between the School District of Hillsborough County and
University of South Florida College of Education Department of Special
Education. Training and support is provided to young adults with disabilities
including opportunities to experience college life, explore career options,
utilize public transportation, learn self-advocacy skills, interact with
age-appropriate peers, and reach their potential as independent members of the
community.
The
Learning Academy at USF Tampa
The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental
Health Institute
College of Behavioral and Community Sciences
University of South Florida
13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MHC 2113A
Tampa, FL 33612
Susan Richmond:
(813) 974-2996 or Fax (813)974-6115
The Learning Academy is a 30 week job readiness program for individuals with
Autism Spectrum Disorder, ages 18-25, who have graduated from high school. Real
life experiences including internships and peer mentoring complement the class
work to provide generalized skills and support personalized goals. Outcomes
include a clearly defined employment plan; knowledge of employment strengths,
abilities, and preferences; goal setting and achievement strategies; customized
techniques for enhancing employment success; career exploration and job seeking
skills; and increased independence.
EAGLE
Connection
Tallahassee Community College
https://www.tcc.fl.edu/Current/DSS/Pages/EAGLE-Connections-Program.aspx
Tallahassee Community College
444 Appleyard Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32304
(850) 201-8430
The EAGLE Connections program is a partnership between Tallahassee Community
College, Florida State University, and the Leon County School Board. The
program offers students with developmental disabilities the opportunity to
participate in postsecondary education, including extracurricular activities,
auditing classes, and internships. Students are also involved with resource
classes that provide instruction in functional academics, self-determination,
money management, health, transportation, and other independence skills.
Project
A.C.C.E.P.T.
(Access to College and Community Environments
in Preparation for Transition)
Miami-Dade College
Jill Brookner, Instructional Supervisor:
(305) 995-7580 or jbrookner@dadeschools.net
Evelys Ubiera, Classroom Teacher:
(305) 237-6649 or ubieraE@dadeschools.net
Project A.C.C.E.P.T. is a partnership between Miami-Dade County Public
Schools (MDCPS) and Miami-Dade College. The school
district provides the teacher, paraprofessional, transportation, and
classroom materials; the college provides the room and the support from the
ACCESS Center Director as needed--there is no exchange of funds. The
program provides an opportunity for students with developmental
disabilities, ages 18-22, to interact with same age peers in a college
environment. In addition to working on social and independent living skills,
the program also focuses on employment. One of Project A.C.C.E.P.T.'s goals is
to enable the student to secure employment and ensure that natural supports are
in place to help the student through his/her adult career.
Project
Panther LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone)
Florida International University
http://education.fiu.edu/pantherlife/index.html
Jill Brookner, Transition
Supervisor
Division of Special
Education, M-DCPS
jbrookner@dadeschools.net
Rene Sierra, M-DCPS
Project Coordinator
sierra@dadeschools.net
sierrare@fiu.edu
Florida International University (FIU), in continued partnership with
Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) and Parent to Parent of Miami (P to
P), Inc., has developed Project Panther LIFE, a postsecondary transition
program for students with intellectual disabilities.
Project
A.C.C.E.S.S. (Accessing Community College Educational experiences, Social
experiences and Skills for careers)
Florida Keys Community College, Main Campus
5901 College Road
Key West, FL 33040
Karla Malsheimer, Project Coordinator
(305) 809-3292 or karla.malsheimer@fkcc.edu
Project A.C.C.E.S.S. at Florida Keys Community College is a partnership with
Monroe County School District for students who are between the ages of 18-22
years old and who have earned a special diploma. The comprehensive transition
and postsecondary program is designed to support students with intellectual
disabilities who are seeking to continue academic, career and technical, and
independent living instruction at an institution of higher education in
order to prepare for gainful employment.
Lynn
University Transition Program
Lynn University
School District Contact:
Iris Neil, ESE Program Planner for Transition and
Compliance
(561) 434-8367 or neili@palmbeach.k12.fl.us
Lynn University Contact:
Mayra Camacho, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Education
(561) 237-7085 or mcamacho@lynn.edu
The Lynn University Transition Program is a partnership between Lynn University
and the School District of Palm Beach County. It serves special diploma
graduates between the ages of 18-21 who reside in Palm Beach County within the
boundaries of seven participating high schools. Program goals include
increasing student independence, providing on-campus and community employment
training opportunities; preparing students to obtain full- or part-time
competitive employment; increasing students' social and communication skills;
improving self-determination skills; developing age-appropriate leisure and
recreation interests; and engaging adult service agencies support. Selection
criteria include a program tour, application, references, school records
review, teacher-completed abilities rubric, and an interview with school
district and Lynn University staff.
STING
RAY – Students Transitioning Into the Next Generation, Recognizing Alternatives
for Youth
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
140 7th Avenue South - SVB 108
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Michael Shaffer, Project Coordinator:
(727) 873-4661 or mpshaffe@mail.usf.edu
STING RAY is a community-based collaboration between Pinellas County School
District, Florida Department of Education, Governor's Commission on
Disabilities, University of South Florida – St. Petersburg, and Project 10. It
offers young adults with significant cognitive disabilities, ages 18-22, an
opportunity to experience life on a college campus while developing independent
living and employability skills. The program focuses on independent living in
the community; preparation for employment; community-based work experience;
on-the-job training; placement in competitive, integrated employment;
preparation for continuing higher education; development of self-determination
skills; and establishment and maintenance of positive social and work
relationships. For more information, go to
http://www.project10.info/StingRay.php?PageCategory=StingRay.
The
Transition Program at Polk State College, Lakeland Campus
Charlene Schultz, Classroom Teacher
Charlene.schultz@polk-fl.net
Karen Toppin, ESE Senior Manager/Transition:
(863)
534-0930 or karen.toppin@polk-fl.net
The Transition Program at Polk State College Lakeland Campus is a partnership
between the University of South Florida and the School District of Polk
County. Students who have earned a special diploma enhance their
self-determination, employability and independent living skills by working
various jobs on and off campus, accessing public transportation, interacting
with same-aged peers, and participating in a curriculum geared towards their
individual transition needs. The goal is to create a seamless
transition from school to adult life.
The
Transition Program at Warner University
Jondra Daley, classroom teacher
Jondra.Daley@polk-fl.net
Karen Toppin, ESE Senior Manager/Transition:
(863)
534-0930 or karen.toppin@polk-fl.net
The Transition Program at Warner University is a partnership between Warner
University and the School District of Polk County. Students who have
earned a special diploma enhance their self-determination, employability and
independent living skills by auditing college classes, working various jobs on
and off campus, becoming involved in various campus life activities such as
chapel, and participating in a curriculum geared towards their individual
transition needs. The goal is to create a seamless transition from
school to adult life.
Employment
Institute
Indian River State College
Lesa Kitzmiller:
(772) 429-4587 or Lesa.Kitzmiller@stlucieschools.org
The Employment Institute is a partnership between the St. Lucie County Public
Schools and Indian River State College. It is designed to give special diploma
students who choose to remain in school a chance to learn the job skills needed
for success in today's labor market. Students participate in intensified
work related activities and skills development, learn how to navigate the
transportation system, and attend courses taught by Indian River State College
personnel.
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