The Learn and Earn Program: Teaching Students with Disabilities Job Skills Training

1. The Learn and Earn Program:Teaching Students with Disabilities Job Skills Training National Academic Advising Association Conference “Advising Locally, Thinking Globally” Rutgers University, NJ Michele Sartori* Michelle A. Campbell * Sean Cruse Abilities, Inc. * 201 I. U. Willets Road, Albertson, NY 11507

2. Empowering Students Since 1990 What is Learn and Earn? The Learn and Earn Program is a One-Year, Two-Semester Supportive Transitional Program for Recent High School Graduates Diagnosed with Disabilities Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

3. Empowering Students Since 1990 Goals The Goals of the Learn and Earn Program are to Facilitate • Transition Into And • Retention Within Post-Secondary Education and Adult Vocational Outcomes Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

4. The Learn and Earn Program Meets the Needs of Two Diverse Student Populations: Students that fall between the cracks because they do not neatly fit into an post-secondary academic or vocational environment Students with academic potential that would get lost or flounder without support and continued direction Target Population Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

5. Location • The Learn and Earn Program is Situated on the Campuses of Three Community Colleges Located in Both Suburban and Urban Environments in the States of New York and New Jersey Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

6. Individualized Attention Academic Shadowing Bridging the Gap • Facilitates Retention by Helping Students Commit to a Course of Action Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

7. Student Growth • Self-Discovery • Self-Advocacy • Self-Direction • Self-Discipline Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

8. Eligibility Requirements • High School Graduate • Diagnosed with a Disability • Recommendation by HS Counselor • Meets College Entry Requirements Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

9. Program Components • Academic Component • Vocational Component • Career Research Component • One-on-One Counseling Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

10. Program Outcomes • Full-time College • Full-time Employment • Training Programs • Combination Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

11. Program Partners Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

12. Learn & Earn Program • Collaborative partnership with Abilities, Inc. grant funded through the Henry H. Kessler Foundation. • Based in New Jersey • Foundation focus on Physical Disabilities • Program enhances available services provided to students with physical disabilities Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

13. Support Services for Students with Disabilities Center for Academic & Student Success (CASS) Advisement & Counseling Career & Transfer Services Tutorial Services Student Support Services Program Educational Opportunity Fund Disability Support Services Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

14. Disclosure and Responsibility It is student’s decision to disclose their disability and provide documentation. It is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to share specific accommodations with each professor. Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

15. HCCC Student Profile Spring ‘08 & ‘09 29 undergraduate students with physical and/or learning disabilities Age range 17 – 22 Diversity of majors Liberal Arts Accounting Culinary Arts Education Sociology Psychology Computer Science Criminal Justice Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

16. Identifying Students Local Area High Schools Undecided Student Educating on Strengths and Abilities College as a Viable Option Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

17. Layout of HCCC Semester First Semester students begin job development (resumes, cover letters, ‘thank you’ letters, etc.); and career exploration using internet resources (career/job search engines, career assessments) • Second Semester continues job development, focusing on interviewing, telephone skills, preparing students to be work-ready through employer workshops and mock interviews. Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

18. Self-Advocacy Skills and Employment Self-Advocacy and Disabilities Model Self-Advocacy in Action Self-Advocacy in the Classroom Examples of Self-Advocacy in the Media Self-Advocacy on the Job Real Life Examples in the Workplace Increasing Self–Advocacy Improves a Students Ability to Interview and Address Supervisors About Their Needs Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

19. One-on-One Counseling Point of Contact Continuity Targeted Classroom Curriculum Resume, Cover, Thank You Internet Career Exploration Classroom Discussion Training Beyond the Classroom:Comprehensive Supports Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

20. Training Beyond the Classroom:Comprehensive Supports Interactive Workshops (Abilities, Inc.) Rights Under ADA Workplace Accommodations Mock Interviews New York Life Insurance Sovereign Bank UPS Dress for Success Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

21. Purpose Methods of Collection Quantitative Qualitative Program Evaluation Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

22. Program Evaluation • Qualitative: • Focus Group Session • Quantitative: • Orientation Assessment Survey • Semester-End Satisfaction Survey • Long Term Outcome Evaluation Survey • To be conducted Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

23. Student Orientation- HCCC • Initial Student Indicators: • Orientation to Learn and Earn was useful • Students had been attending HCCC for average of 3 semesters • 33% employed at the time of orientation • Expectations and Objectives: • Employment • Academic • Personal Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

24. Student Experiences-HCCC • 100% were confident/very confident in the skills they gained to obtain a job. • 79% were satisfied/very satisfied with the assistance they received from Learn and Earn • 79% indicated that their grades had improved • 71% of students were satisfied/very satisfied with their grades after completing their semester with Learn and Earn Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

25. What about Learn and Earn was helpful? Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

26. Student Experiences • Focus Group: • Students Highlighted: • Individualized Attention • Confidence Building (Self-Advocacy) • Job Preparation Skills • Obtaining Accommodations “Never thought I would go to college, Learn and Earn helped to get here.” Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

27. Other: Resume Prep or Early Registration 6% Skills Lab 9% One-on-One Counseling 29% Tutoring Support 11% Pre-Vocational Instruction 9% Career Exploration 19% Helpful Program Aspects Based on Long Term Outcome Study of NY Programs Computer Programs 11% Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

28. Student OutcomesBased on Long Term Outcome Study of NY Programs • 79% Surveyed Still Enrolled in College • 68% of respondents attending school plan to continue their educationafter graduation • 39% of respondents indicated that they were currently employed • Most Indicated Program Helped Them Determine a Direction in Areas of: • Academics • Vocational Pursuits • Experience Improved their Life Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

29. Replication • Select Population to be Served • Select Academic Institution • Partnership with State VR • Canvas Local High Schools • Obtain Curriculum and Technical Support Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

30. Contact Information: For further information, technical assistance, or staff training, please contact: Patricia Birbiglia, Director Youth Transition Services Learn and Earn Program 516-465-1496 pbirbiglia@abilitiesinc.org Michelle A. Campbell, Sr. Coordinator Youth Transition Services Learn and Earn Program 516-465-3779 mcampbell@abilitiesinc.org Sean Cruse, Evaluator Research & Evaluation Center Abilities! 516.465.1608 scruse@abilitiesonline.org Michele Sartori, Counselor Learn and Earn Program Hudson County Community College msatori@hccc.edu Please visit our website: www.abilitiesinc.org Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY

31. The Learn and Earn Program:Teaching Students with Disabilities Job Skills Training National Academic Advising Association Conference “Advising Locally, Thinking Globally” Rutgers University, NJ Michele Sartori*Michelle A. Campbell* Sean Cruse Abilities, Inc. * 201 I. U. Willets Road, Albertson, NY 11507