VCU Academic and Career Exploration Program: Supported Education Model

1
VCU Academic and Career Exploration Program
Supported Education Model

• Tri-Annual Emily Couric Community Colloquium
• November 5, 2004
• Elizabeth E. Getzel
• Project Director

2
Principles of Academic/Career Exploration Program

• Consumer-driven (open entry/exit)
• Individualized support system of community and
  university resources
• Resources structured to meet short and long-term
  goals
• Resources structured around individuals career
  choice

3
Reasons for Program

• Retention
• Student feedback need for career exploration
• Student feedback need for technology
• Determine effectiveness of different student
  services models
• Determine effectiveness of model for students
  with TBI and SCI

4
Academic and Career Exploration Program at VCU

• Four Components
• Establishing and Using Community Linkages
• Recruitment/Intake of Participants
• Development/Implementation of Academic and Career
  Plan
• Evaluation

5
Framework of Model
Direct Coaching
Monitoring
Consultation

• Self-advocacy skills
• Understanding impact of disability on learning
• Awareness of campus and community resources
• Exposure to technology and how to incorporate
  into their learning
• Identifying informational interviews/job
  shadowing experiences
• Providing information on ADA and developing plan
  to disclose to employer
• Assisting students to transfer accommodations and
  strategies to long-term work setting

• Utilizing campus and community resources
• Incorporating learning strategies and
  accommodations into their learning
• Using technology devices or software in their
  learning
• Using self-advocacy skills in obtaining needed
  services and supports

• Student notifies program on an as needed basis
• Fully using accommodations and strategies
• Progressing in course of study at VCU

6
Services Learning Strategies

• Understanding disability, effective ways to
  disclose to professors
• Time management/organizational skills
• Study plans including use of flash cards and
  other memory retrieval strategies
• Testing taking strategies

7
Services Technology Interventions

• Text-to-speech software for reading textbooks,
  taking tests, proof reading, reading the Web
• Left handed reacher to increase independence
• Customized field placement forms on computer to
  assist student in gathering client information

8
Services Technology Interventions

• Word prediction software to increase writing
  efficiency
• Speech-to-text software to increase writing
  efficiency
• One handed keyboards to increase writing
  efficiency

9
Services Career Related Interventions

• Effective ways to disclose to clinical staff and
  employers
• Resume writing and interview skills
• Stress management and interpersonal skills
• Designed short-term clinical experiences to
  practice application skills

10
Services Connect to Community and Campus
Supports

• DRS for current evaluation
• VCU work study program
• VCU Alumni Externship program
• VCU Counseling and Career Center

11
Progress Report Students

• Secured summer work experiences for students
  through Federal Work Force Recruitment Program
  for College Students with Disabilities
• Connected students with Virginia Youth Network
  Mentoring Program

12
Progress Report Students

• Arranged informational interviews in course of
  study, for example interviews with history
  teacher and administrators at high school level
• Obtained internship opportunity for student
• Students progressing in their program of studies

13
Progress Report Development of Consortium

• Consortium members VCU, VSU, JSRCC, JTCC, GCC,
  VUU
• Learn how the program works in other higher
  education environments
• Determine if issues similar across higher
  education campuses

14
Progress Report Development of Consortium

• Effective method to outreach with other campuses
• Concern about reaching/impacting number of
  college students with TBI and SCI