Technical Assistance

The On Campus Transition (OCT) program would like to help current and developing postsecondary education programs for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Below is a list of technical assistance categories that could provide valuable information for programs similar to the OCT program. Please check back frequently; the information will be updated and changed as more information becomes available.

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How to Start a Program

Funding the Program:

On Campus Transition Program:

The OCT program is funded through the McKay scholarship, Medicaid Waiver and private pay. Moreover, some projects conducted through the OCT program are supported through generation donation and collaboration of partners of professionals, organizations, and companies.

Think College:

Think College provides different methods of paying for postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities.

Website
Liability:

On Campus Transition Program:

The OCT program established a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of North Florida and the Arc Jacksonville for liability purposes. Additionally, at the end of the MOU is a Release of Liability. The Release of Liability explains the responsibility of the participant within the program; moreover, the release must be signed by all participants and guardians.

Curriculum

On Campus Transition Program:

The OCT program is an experiential learning program; therefore, the OCT students learn skills through natural experiences that occur in postsecondary education settings. Moreover, the OCT program uses the Life Centered Education curriculum as a guide for skills mastery. Also the students learn through peer mentoring; a volunteer matriculating UNF students will mentor an OCT student in social, academic, or wellness skills. Additionally, students involved in the OCT program choose two courses to take each semester at UNF. The courses taken are based on the established program of study the students develop upon entering the program though person centered planning. These UNF courses are the same courses any matriculating college student could take; therefore, the OCT students are taking courses alongside their peers without disabilities.

For additional information about establishing an experiential learning opportunity, contact the Amanda Jackson at amanda.m.jackson@unf.edu.
Think College:

Think College provides resources about person centered planning through the use of handouts and websites.

Website

Financial Aid

Think College:

Think College provides resources about financial aid through an online module, handouts, and presentations.

Website

Collaboration

On Campus Transition Program:
The OCT program established a Steering Committee during the initial stages of the program development. The Steering Committee was a group of individual from different agencies and community partners with the same goal in mind establishing the OCT program. When developing a program for young adults with intellectual disabilities in postsecondary education open and frequent communication is a must. Group efforts are needed in order to demonstrate the need and value of programs for these young adults.

To establish a steering committee to help start a program, one must think of different resources within your area. Some ideas for resources are:
- Postsecondary education disability resource center
- Postsecondary education college of education or child development
- School district transition specialists
- Arc chapter
- Agency for Persons with Disabilities
- Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
- Businesses
- Parent advocate groups
- Community advocate groups for individuals with disabilities
- Community advocate groups for individuals with intellectual disabilities
The above list is not comprehensive but suggestions to begin your brainstorming process.

Additionally, utilize technology when establishing open communication. For example, there may be individuals that may want to be actively involved but cannot attend the meeting physically, consider using Skype or conference calls. Additionally, use email to send out reminders and updates of the status of the program. Always remember to be creative and patient when establishing open frequent communication.

Self Determination

Think College:

Think College provides a list of websites that provides curriculum, tool kits, lessons and more regarding teaching self-determination.

Website

Independence

Financial Planning:

Please check back soon for more information about financial planning.
Travel:

Please check back soon for more information about travel.
Community Involvement:

Please check back soon for more information about community involvement.
Personal Care:

Please check back soon for more information about personal care.
Wellness:

OCT students are encouraged to complete one hour of wellness each day; Monday through Friday. Wellness activities include working out at the UNF Fitness Center, aquatics, group fitness classes (Yoga, Zumba, Spin, ect.), or nutrition education. OCT students attend an orientation at the beginning of the year where the students tour the facilities at UNF, one of which is the UNF Fitness Center. OCT students can also have a wellness mentor who goes with them to the gym to work out together, which helps keep both individuals focused on their health. Also, cooking classes are taught to the OCT students, which promote healthy choices and cooking skills.

Relationships

Coming Soon:

Please check back soon for more information about relationships.

Campus Membership

On Campus Transition Program:

The On Campus Transition Program is very active in campus membership. The OCT program is approximately a 90% total inclusion program; therefore, the large majority of the students time is spend in a nature college setting with their peers withouth disabilities.

The OCT program is an AmeriCorps site; therefore, with the help from the mentor recruiter the OCT program was able to recruit 240 matriculating UNF students to mentor the OCT students during the 2011-2012 academic school year. The mentors could service as academic, social, wellness, or career development. The OCT program has developed a mentor handbook and mentor application for students to use when mentoring OCT students.

The OCT students are involved in campus clubs, organizations, and greek life. Through self-determination the students decide which group he or she would be interested in joining and then let the fun begin. Also, the AmeriCorps has established a Greek Competition. The Greek Competition is a battle between sororities and fraternities at UNF to achieve the most service hours. The OCT program has developed a competition handbook for greek life to use when joining the competition.
Think College:

Think College provides information about mentor training through modules, webinars, handouts and presentations.

Website

UNF OCT News & Information

Monthly Newsletter

The following are links to the monthly newsletter, UNF OCT News & Information. The newsletter is for transition specialists and current and developing programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the postsecondary setting. The newsletter provides information and tips for programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities across the state of Florida. If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter please e-mail Amanda Jackson at Amanda.M.Jackson@unf.edu and she will add you to the list.

August 2012

September 2012

October 2012

December 2012

February 2013

Contact the

Higher Education Opportunities Act

Consortium Consultant

Amanda Jackson

Location

College of Education and

Human Services

Building 57, Room 1710

(within the Disability Resource Center)

E-mail

amanda.m.jackson@unf.edu

Telephone

(904) 534-7693