320 Occupational Therapy Department Colorado State University
Fort Collins , CO 80523-1573
| Program Contact | Julia Kothe |
| Program Contact Email | julia.kothe@colostate.edu |
| Program Phone | 970.491.3469 |
| Website | Program website |
The multi-faceted CHOICES/Opportunities for Postsecondary Success (OPS) is a program at the Center for Community Partnerships (CCP) at Colorado State University (CSU). The CCP has contracts with the CO Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (CO DVR) and the CO Division of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CO DIDD), with both of these agencies partnering with the CHOICES program to provide long-term support for young adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Through CHOICES, students with ID, as well as students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and students with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) who have significant intellectual challenges, have several options regarding the programmatic area that will best meet their postsecondary transition needs.
Work Internships in partnership with Project Search: Students with ID who are enrolled in the Poudre School District may participate in two to three separate work internships within the Columbine Health System or at Colorado State University, receiving job support during these internships by CHOICES/CCP staff. Upon internship completion, each employer has made the commitment to hire the student and employ them before or after high school graduation/exit.
Enrollment at CSU: Students with ID, including students with ASD or TBI who have significant cognitive impairments and challenges with adaptive skills, receive transition and mentoring support while enrolled at CSU. The majority of these students live in the CSU Residence Halls. All students take a regular and fully integrated course of study and are on a trajectory to graduate from CSU with a 4 year degree.
Enrollment at Front Range Community College (FRCC): Students with ID receive support while enrolled at FRCC in Fort Collins, CO. Many of these students are taking classes in preparation for transition to CSU, while some are pursuing a 2 year Associates Diploma from FRCC.
Program information submitted a year or more ago
| General | |
|---|---|
| Public or private: | Public |
| Type of school: | 4-year college or university |
| Is this program a federally funded TPSID program?: | No |
| Number of students: | 30 |
| Summer program description: | <p>Bridge Program: The OPS Bridge Program facilitates the transition to CSU for incoming students with ID, ASD, and/or brain injury. Participating students arrive to campus three days early, move into the Residence Halls, and receive support and guidance as they become familiar with campus and available resources. Students have the opportunity to meet their professors, learn where their classes will be held, and connect with the CSU student disability office to ensure they are set up to receive any needed accommodations.</p> |
| Affiliates | |
|---|---|
| School district partner(s): | Poudre School District |
| School district contact: | Dr. Romie Tobin |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school?: | Some of our students have left high school |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | CSU - March Empowerment and Bridge - August 1 Project Search - June 1 FRCC - Spring OPS - ongoing |
| Criteria for admission: |
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| Students in this program have these disabilities: |
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| Planned program length: |
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| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student in-state tuition and fees for the current school year: | $11,080.00 |
| Room and board cost: | $11,862.00 |
| Program specific fees: | $82.64 |
| Other costs: | $2,000.00 Fee for OPS individualized support for each semester. |
| Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)?: | No |
| Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
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| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
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| More about course access: | Note that Project Search and Empowerment students do not take typical college courses for credit, although they may choose to audit one or more courses. OPS, Bridge and FRCC students take typical college courses for credit. |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Information on special classes: | Students with ID take the year-long Empowerment Course with their student mentors in attendance to provide support as needed. |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | CSU and FRCC students are awarded a full diploma/degree upon graduation. Empowerment Students receive a Division of Continuing Education Certificate and Badge. Project Search students receive a Certificate of Completion as well as a HS diploma. |
| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 75% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 75% |
| Additional information about career development and work experience: | Front Range Community College (FRCC) offers specific vocational diplomas as a part of their Associate Degree program, e.g. Diplomas in Welding, Certified Nursing Assistant, Culinary Arts, and Information Technology. |
| Housing | |
|---|---|
| Housing is provided to students?: | Yes |
| Housing options available: |
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| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |