1. Connections for Academic Success & Employment Project CASE: Connections for Academic Success & Employment DeAnn Lechtenberger, Ph.D David Siegel Matt Vinyard Project CASE is funded by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities

2. Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities 5 year grant for $1.1 million Partnerships:  Texas Tech University  Burkhart Center for Autism Education & Research  South Plains College  Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services  Area Business Leaders 2 What is Project CASE ?

3. 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 to gain competitive employment. ◦graduate 10 students within 5 years. 3 Goals for Project CASE

4. Students between 18-25 years of age Have a Developmental Disability Acceptance to TTU or South Plains College Register with Student Disability Services Office at TTU or SPC Complete Project CASE Application Personal Interview Birkman Assessment 4 How Students Qualify for Project CASE

5. Step 1: Individualized Wraparound Team  Facilitator-Learning Specialist  Student  DSO staff counselor  Community service providers/business leaders  Faculty and/or staff 5 How will Project CASE staff do this?

6. Step 2: Develop Wraparound Plan.  Identifies student strengths and challenges  Develop strategies to address challenges  Business mentor/internship in Year 1  Career Services Office 6

7. 7 current students enrolled at South Plains College 7 current students enrolled at Texas Tech Total of 4 new referrals as of January 2013 1 Learning Specialist at SPC & 1 at Texas Tech Wraparound Team members: ◦Academic tutors ◦Academic counselors ◦DARS counselors ◦Guidance Counselors 7 Who is Project CASE ?

8. David’s Story Matt’s Story 8 Student Feedback about Project CASE

9. For more information: DeAnn Lechtenberger, Ph.D. Project Director for Project CASE Research Assistant Professor Director for Technical Assistance and Community Outreach Burkhart Center for Autism Education & Research 806-742-1997, ext 324 deann.lechtenberger@ttu.edu Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY College of Education, Room 151 Box 41071, Lubbock, TX 79409-1071 Phone: 806-742-1998 x458, Fax: 806-742-1840 www.burkhartcenter.org 9