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

Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY 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 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 Target Population 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

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

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

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

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

Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY Program Partners Local Area High Schools & Local Businesses Community Colleges Abilities, Inc. Local State VR Agency & Grant Funding Lumina Kessler Foundation

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

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

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

Abilities, Inc. 201 I. U. Willets Road Albertson, NY Student Outcomes Based on Long Term Outcome Study of NY Programs 79% Surveyed Still Enrolled in College 68% of respondents attending school plan to continue their education after 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 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 Contact Information: For further information, technical assistance, or staff training, please contact: Patricia Birbiglia, Director Youth Transition Services Learn and Earn Program Michelle A. Campbell, Sr. Coordinator Youth Transition Services Learn and Earn Program Sean Cruse, Evaluator Research & Evaluation Center Abilities! Michele Sartori, Counselor Learn and Earn Program Hudson County Community College Please visit our website:

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