Project CASE: Connections for Academic Success & Employment

1. Project CASE:Connections for AcademicSuccess & Employment DeAnn Lechtenberger, Ph.D. Texas Tech University Frank Mullins, Ph.D. University of Texas of the Permian Basin

2. Project CASE: Connections for Academic Success & Employment • Combines collective resources from partners to help identify, recruit, and retain students with developmental disabilities, • These students, ages 18-25, are interested in furthering their education beyond high school and in exploring career pathways to meaningful employment.

3. Partners in Project CASE • Partnership of the Burkhart Center; Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, Texas Tech University, South Plains College, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, and local employers.

4. Academic Focus • 2 graduates Year 1 • Support students to pursue their academic goals: • Texas Tech University • South Plains College • Reese Center • Levelland • Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center

5. Opportunities for Personal Growth • Teach self-advocacy & social skills • Build Confidence • Develop ability to network with professionals and peers • Promote higher education for students with disabilities

6. Preparing for Employment: 20 students in Year 2!! • Career focused Internships • Agri-Life (human development student) • AdlingAssociates, PLLC (architecture student); • Randy Neugebauer’s Lubbock Office (political science student); • KLBK Studios (for student in tv/radio broadcasting); • South Plains College Student Scholar Program in Science Laboratories (for student studying biology); • Therapeutic Riding Center (for student in agriculture);

7. What is Project CASE ? • Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities • 5 year grant funding • Partnerships: • Texas Tech University (TTU) • Burkhart Center for Autism Education & Research • South Plains College (SPC) • Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services • Area Business Leaders • Project Advisory Council

8. Goals for Project CASE To help students with developmental disabilities: • navigate through the higher education system. • complete an academic degree or certificate. • develop business mentor/internships. • build a resume for competitive employment. • graduate 10 students within 5 years. • 80% competitive employment of graduates

9. How Students Qualify for Project CASE • Students between 18-25 years of age • Have a Developmental Disability • Acceptance to Texas Tech University (TTU) or South Plains College (SPC) • Register with Student Disability Services Office at TTU or SPC • Complete Project CASE Application • Personal Interview • Birkman Assessment www.compasssettings.com

10. Birkman Insights • http://www.compasssettings.com/ • Preferred “Work Styles” • Need to understand what they are doing • How is it relevant? (to their major, job) • Perform best with hands-on training/assignments • Somewhat reserved and hard to get to know • Need reminders of accepted social conventions (dress code, handshake, addressing superiors)

11. Birkman Common Elements • Personally very private, but want group approval • Cautious- need to build trust & rapport • Want to be invited, but may choose to say “no” • High Challenge- • may go where angels fear to tread • very self critical

12. How will Project CASE staff do this? Step 1: Individualized Wraparound Team (3-5 members) • Facilitator-Learning Specialist • Student • Student Disability Services personnel (tutor or academic counselor) • Community service providers • Business leaders/employers • Faculty and/or staff • Peer(s)

13. How will Project CASE staff do this? Step 2: Develop Individualized Wraparound Plan • Identifies student strengths • Birkman • Team observation/knowledge • Identify student life domain challenges/needs • Student prioritizes challenges/needs • Team develop strategies • Accountability of team members

14. Meeting Agendas • Wrap Teams meet a minimum of once a month • Problem solving (academic, social, vocational, etc.) • Work toward student setting the agenda & leading the meeting • Business mentor at the end of Year 1 • Career Services Office

15. Who is Project CASE ? • Project Director: Dr. DeAnn Lechtenberger • Project Advisory Council: 8-12 individuals • 11 students enrolled at South Plains College • 9 students enrolled at Texas Tech • 2 Learning Specialists to serve South Plains College & Texas Tech • Wraparound Team members: • Academic tutors • Academic counselors • DARS counselors • Guidance Counselors, tutors, etc.

16. Project Advisory Council for Project CASE Collaborators who represent the following groups: • Self-advocates • Parent of individuals with disabilities • Employers • University/College faculty & staff Meet quarterly: • Review project progress • Share feedback and ideas • Dissemination of information • Recruit community & higher education support

17. Questions? • Financial Support for Project CASE: Connections for Academic Success and Employment is provided by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, with Federal funds made available by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Federal funds ($220,089) Nonfederal match ($73,363)

18. For more information: DeAnn Lechtenberger, Ph.D. • Project Director for Project CASE • Director for Technical Assistance and Community Outreach • Burkhart Center for Autism Education & Research • 806-834-0756 • deann.lechtenberger@ttu.edu • Website under construction:www.burkhartcenter.org