Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.“

Booker T. Washington

College Bound in Oklahoma PSE Programs for students with IDD

2015

After High School…

o Attend Collegeo Classes of Choiceo Supports to assist with successo Successful entry into job market/life based on College

experience

Assumption:

Reality:o Transition planning focused on workplace entranceo College supports based on ADA – access modelo Low PSE success rate without appropriate support

After High School…

Only 28.5% of students with IDD attend any postsecondary institution within 6 years of H.S. graduation 1

More than 50% of youth with an ASD who had left high school in the past 2 years had no participation in employment or education. 2

The current rate of unemployment for individuals who graduated from high school is twice that of those who graduated from college 3

Only 11% of students with disabilities attend college or university 4

Graduation rates in regular PSE setting estimated at 10-20% 4, 5

79% of those with an ASD live as dependants 6

Sources: 1. National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (Newman et.al), 2011;2. Journal Pediatrics May 20123. Think College, “Insight”, No.2 Sept. 20104. U.S.Dept. of Education, Nat’l Center for Education Statistics, 2009/20125. College Quarterly, Seneca College 20156. Drexel edu.now/2013

IDD=Intellectual & Developmental DisabilitiesPSE=postsecondary educationASD=Autism Spectrum Disorder

Facts:

0102030405060708090

Regular H.S.Diploma

CollegeCredit, butno degree

Associatedegree

Bachelorsdegree

No DisabilityAny DisabilityCognative Disability

Employment rate by educational attainment for those not enrolled in any sort of schooling:

Source: Excerpted from: Think College “Insight”, Issue No. 15, 2012

Percent Employed by Educational Attainment

Model Program: College of Charleston R.E.A.C.H.

4 Pillars to Success: Independent Living

On campus housing Mentor support

Social Social Mentors, Club Membership of choice

Academic First year students are in learning communities, Second year +

students participate in classes of their choosing Tutor support, Professors engaged

Career Development On and off campus internships, on and off campus paid

employment

4 year integrated program. Embedded in University. Individualized program supports. Access to every aspect of college life.

Outcomes…

Young adults who participated in PSE earned a 73% higher weekly income than those who did not 1

Outcome Results: 1 - Edgewood College – Cutting Edge Program; Madison, WI

4 Year Residential Liberal Arts Program; Served 39 Students

A five year report; 2007-2012 70% of the alumni are employed 40% of the alumni continued on in higher education 64% lived away from parents

Sources:1. NLTS-2, Newman et al., 2011

Outcomes…2 – University of N.C. at Greensboro – Beyond Academics

*NLTS2 describes the experiences of youth in special education once they leave secondary school,

Oklahoma Potential !

East Central UniversityS T A R T – Successful Tiger Academic Residence Transition

University of OklahomaSooner Works

TPSID – Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) – Federal Grant opportunity to begin these programs that had applications due August 10.

Two Oklahoma schools applied:

Support Network

University Leadership Fully committed Comprehensive Transition Program designation (begin process after first year of student enrollment)

Vocational Rehabilitation Partner with Program Leadership to support

employment after program graduation Business Community

Support with internships Legislative

Funding options

ABLE Act (Achieving a Better Life Experience)

Federal law passed in Dec 2014 Tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with

disabilities and their families.

Who is eligible for an ABLE Account? Individuals with significant disabilities Age of onset of disability before turning 26 years old Met criteria, receiving SSI and/or SSDI Meet SSI criteria regarding significant functional

limitations

ABLE Act (Achieving a Better Life Experience)

Money Limits $14,000 annual contributions First $100,000 exempted SSI $2000 individual

resource limit Most states limit total plan to $300,000

Allowable Expenses Qualified Disability Expense

Education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology, personal support services, health care expenses, financial management and administrative services.

ABLE Act (Achieving a Better Life Experience)

Oklahoma ABLE Accounts Each state responsible for establishing and operating

an ABLE program Cross-disability workgroup working on current ABLE

legislation here in OK

IDEA Funds(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)

IDEA funds can be used to pay tuition and other costs for student to attend college OSEP Letter- OSEP 9-3-13 college as FAPE.pdf Up to student’s IEP team State law must allow

Dual Enrollment programs Students age 18-21 Must be partnership between

colleges/universities and the local school district (LEA)

State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies

Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) May cover:

Tuition, fees, books and vocational assessments

Varies by student Must be eligible for VR Services Related to employment goals Course of study Specific career goal = KEY

State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies

Based on Individual Plan of Employment (IPE) and becoming competitively employed

Difficult for students with Intellectual Disabilities (ID)

New data showing positive employment outcomes

Medicaid Waiver

Cannot be used for tuition and fees Can be used for:

Educational coaches, mentors, physical or occupational therapy, transportation and supported employment

Every state defines what services and supports Cost must be less than institutional services or

“cost neutral Examples: North Carolina, New York, Vermont,

New Jersey and California

Federal Financial Aid

Post-Secondary program must be an approved Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) through Federal Student Aid Pell Grants Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants Federal Work-Study

Not eligible for student loans

Other

Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) program Excludes income used to assist in returning to

work PASS income set aside for current or future

expenses• Training, equipment, services or supports (including

college)• As long as related to employment goal

Scholarships Disability Organizations Other Organizations (generic)

Let’s close the gap for Oklahoma’s residents!

239 Programs in 47 States 1States without programs per ThinkCollege 2015OK

Contact/Resources

Julie Lackey (918)520-2794

Contact:

Resources:ThinkCollege.net CollegeTransitionConnection.org

leadlearnlive.org

In partnership with:

Sooner Success:soonersuccess.ouhsc.edu