Kent State University

Name of Program: Career & Community Studies

College/University: Kent State University

Contact Information:

Dr. Vonnie Michali
- Phone: 330-672-0725
- Email: yhale@kent.edu

Comprehensive Transitions and Postsecondary Program (CTP) Status: Approved

Annual Costs: Students in the CCS program pay the same tuition as all students enrolled at KSU, including in-state and out-of-state costs. The estimated costs below reflect in-state fees.

Tuition and Fees: $14,012
Room and Board: $9,900

Students may choose to either live in inclusive on-campus residence halls or commute. Should a student wish to live on-campus they must complete a summer independent living experience to prepare for dorm living in the fall. This summer experience called, “The Cruise”, is a four-day and four-night mock college experience where students are evaluated on how well they demonstrate basic independent living skills in order to be successful in dorm living.

Independent Living Assessment: $1,600

(Includes room, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and round-the-clock supervision. Students must use their own money to pay for evening social activities in order to evaluate money skills).

Additional costs:

The first-year students who live in the dorm share the costs of an hourly paid Independent Living Instructor (ILI). Responsibilities of the ILI are to help the student to connect to university social clubs and organizations, attend sports events, and acclimate to the social aspects of being a college student. ILI also works with students on learning independent living skills, such as doing laundry, purchasing necessary personal items, using public transportation both on and off-campus. ILIs provide support to students evenings and weekends.

Program Description:

Career and Community Studies (CCS) is a college-based, transition, non-degree program to prepare students with intellectual, developmental, and cognitive disabilities for adult life and employment through academic pursuits, peer socialization, and career exploration, identification, and preparation. The program integrates inclusive classes, a typical college experience, a transition curriculum, and multiple practicum and internships to assist students in achieving employment outcomes in a career of their choice. The CCS program is for students who have completed high school requirements and be between 18-26 years of age. CCS is a federally approved Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) that allows students to apply for federal financial aid (FASFA) for Pell grants and work-study only. Information can be obtained from the KSU financial aid office for Parent Plus loan opportunities.

Describe the academic services:

Students can receive accommodations through the Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Examples of accommodations include extended test time, a quiet room for testing, or a reader. Students meet with SAS prior to the fall semester to determine what accommodations they qualify for under the American Disability Act.

Students receive modifications through the CCS program. Any CCS course is already modified to individual student abilities. Student progress is indicated with a letter grade.
- Students sitting in on KSU courses will facilitate a meeting with KSU faculty and CCS faculty to advocate for any modifications to be made to the KSU course requirements. Students are supported throughout this process. Student progress is indicated with a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade.

Students will attend Academic Support Labs where tutoring will be provided for all coursework.
- Academic mentors will initially attend KSU courses with the CCS student. A fading process will occur until the CCS student can attend the course on their own, but will then return to the Academic Support Lab for further instruction and tutoring.

Students need a minimum of 122 credits to receive a Record of Completion. There are no KSU credits, all credits are prefixed with CCS with cross-referencing with KSU classes. Students take a blend of KSU, CCS, and internship courses.
- All students will have a CCS Academic Advisor who is available to provide advice and assistance as they plan academic schedules. Students will also periodically meet with a KSU academic advisor to share information about their academic progress.

CCS curriculum has been approved by the KSU Board of Directors as a comprehensive and effective curriculum. Students are required to maintain a minimum of a 2.5 GPA to remain in good academic standing.

Describe employment experiences and outcomes:

During the sophomore year, students will have a 3 credit (9 hours/week) on-campus work experience where student work skills will be evaluated. Students will continue to develop work and personal-social skills in the work environment. These work experiences may or may not be in the student’s career interest.

During the junior year, students will continue to have weekly work experiences (12 hours/week). These internships may or may not be on-campus; may or may not be paid internships; and may or may not develop into ongoing employment opportunities.

During the senior year, students will participate in internships in their career interests (3-36 hours/week). These internships may or may not be on-campus; may or may not be paid internships; and may or may not develop into ongoing employment opportunities.

Students will experience between 1170 to 1710 hours of work practicum and internship to develop work skills and knowledge in the field of their career interests.

Describe how employment services and support are provided:

All students will have a CCS Career Advisor as they explore and prepare for their careers and work experiences. All CCS students also have access to and will use KSU Career Services for things such as career assessments, researching jobs and employment opportunities, and practicing employment readiness skills.

Describe the independent living and residential services:

Students can either commute or live in the dorm when attending Kent State. Conditions for living in the dorm follow:

All students who wish to live in the dorm must complete a 4-day and 4-night dorm living experience in order to prepare for living on campus in the fall. This mock college experience is held in June of each year where students have a morning and afternoon class, evening social activities, opportunities to learn the campus, and to practice various apps used when courses begin. Students receive a report of how well they did and suggestions of skills they might need to practice in order to be better prepared.

The first year a student lives in the dorm, if possible they will live with another CCS student. They will be housed in the dorm for the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (EHHS). This dorm houses education and health service majors and offers a wonderful learning environment for our students to gain additional independent and social skills. In subsequent years, students can identify a roommate of their choosing and can pick the dorm they wish to live in. Some students have gone on to live in their own apartments off-campus.

Resident Advisors and Residential Hall Directors work closely with CCS staff and assist CCS students with any issues that may arise within the dorm setting.

The first year that students live in the dorm, parents will share costs for an Independent Living Instructor(s) (ILI) who will guide students as they navigate campus events and activities in the evenings and on weekends. After the first year, dependent upon student ability, he/she may not need an ILI for the remaining years.

Describe the counseling and supports that are available for your students with ID:

Mental Health:

CCS students are able to use mental health counseling services that are free to all KSU students, providing that the mental health needs are not beyond the scope of what is provided on-campus. Counseling Services may determine that a student requires more intensive mental health counseling, and a recommendation and/or referral will be made to an outside professional if this occurs.

General Health:

As Kent State students, CCS students are able to use all of the services provided by the University Health Services (UHS) located on-campus. Staff at UHS includes board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed psychologists, pharmacists, physical therapists, and radiographers. University Health Services provides non-emergent outpatient care to all eligible students, faculty, and staff, including examination and treatment for illness and minor injuries, women's health care, laboratory, x-ray, physical therapy, pharmacy services, and health education through all departments of UHS and under the Division of Student Affairs. UHS accepts all major carriers with the exception of Medicare. Self-pay rates are available for uninsured patients. UHS has developed a unique partnership with the CCS program as they help students to expand independent living skills by teaching them how to make appointments, and how to discuss personal health care needs. All KSU students are required to provide immunization records upon entrance.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS):

Students in the CCS program can receive accommodations through the Office of SAS. Students must provide documentation of disability and will work with SAS staff to determine what those accommodations will be. Accommodations provided under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Rehab 504 may be different from those provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). ADA and Rehab 504 are the laws that adults with disabilities must follow as IDEA does not serve adults.

Other Services:

Other services that may be available to students depending on need and demand include areas such as speech or physical therapy, or personal exercise trainers.

Financial Support:

Career & Community Studies is recognized as a federally approved Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP). This allows eligible students to apply for financial aid – Pell grants and work-study only. Students cannot apply for student loans. Small scholarships are becoming available, however, endeavors to develop and expand scholarship programs for students in the CCS program continue.

Photos From: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g50499-d1913174-r419756880-Kent_State_University_Museum-Kent_Ohio.html; http://movie.getplaynsearch3.com/wim/lp/lp13/index_16.php?ac=00084781p064113731665; https://www.pinterest.com/universityicons/leed-buildings-on-college-campuses/; https://www.kent.edu/kent/news/kent-state-earns-tree-campus-usa-designation-ninth-consecutive-year; https://www.youvisit.com/tour/photos/kent/80028