Travis Mills, People First VISTA member in Reno, is taking a three-dimensional drawing class.  This class is a pre-requisite for the Computer Graphics/Digital Media class that he hopes to take soon.  Travis is very talented with computer graphics and hopes that these classes will lead to future employment.  He attends class every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

Scott Carter, People First VISTA member in Elko, is taking a sign language class at Great Basin College (GBC).  Because ASL (American Sign Language) I was not available this semester at GBC, he taking the beginning Sign Language Class through the Community Education Department every Monday and Wednesday morning.  He plans to take ASL I during the Spring semester.

The NCED has learned a great deal about how to maneuver the Segal Education Award to purchase computer equipment and other supports and tools.  We have met with staff from the regional centers, who are very supportive of Think College.  We hope to continue the collaboration with the regional centers and the community colleges to provide supports to students with ID in Nevada who want to attend college.

Travis Mills

Scott Carter

I Want to Go To College video

The NCED has submitted an application for another mini-grant, which will further postsecondary education for students with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) in Nevada. This mini-grant, which is sponsored by the National Service Inclusion Project and the Institute for Community Inclusion, seeks a University Center for Excellence that can recruit and support AmeriCorps or VISTA members with IDD and them assist them in using their post-term education award.

The Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) is uniquely positioned to execute this grant due to its experience in recruiting and supporting VISTA members with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) as well as serving as the State of Nevada’s Inclusion Coordinator through a mini-grant from the National Service Inclusion Project for two years (FY06 & FY07).   The NCED also has an excellent relationship with the Nevada State office of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) currently operates a statewide AmeriCorps*VISTA Youth Transition Project. The NCED has successfully recruited and supported VISTA members with IDD for seven years.  Currently, of the 12 statewide VISTA members, 5 have IDD.  These five members are responsible for the activities of the eight chapters of the People First of Nevada self-advocacy organization.  The members with IDD are located throughout the state in Reno, Las Vegas, Carson City, Fallon and Elko.

During the grant period, three VISTA members will have secured Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards.   The NCED is currently doing person-centered planning (PCP) with these members, who have chosen courses that will contribute to their career goals and interests.  Three Nevada community colleges (Truckee Meadows Community College, Western Nevada College, Great Basin College) have sent letters of support for these three students.

Stand by to hear if the NCED gets this award, which is to begin March 1.  Keep your fingers crossed!!!

Think College Final Report-NCED

ThinkCollegeTeaserSpring2011.mov

Think College, based out of the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston, focuses on post-secondary education opportunities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. ICI researches best practices, provides training and assistance and continues to publicize and promote its mission.

The strategic planning session Bryant walked into that day was funded by a grant ICI gave NCED to bring Think College’s inclusive involvement to Nevada.

The session was run by ICI’s Debra Hart and produced some interesting results. The state heads of vocational rehabilitation, school districts and regional service centers were represented.

Debra Hart at the Think College planning session in Reno.

The school districts agreed to continue the plan, even if grant money should fall through. Currently, students with disabilities are allowed to stay in high school until they are 22. Shifting those students into a community college or vocational program would not only provide valuable education and job skills, but would include them with other students their own age.

Next Monday, representatives of the Think College program will meet again to pick the model they want to base their program on. For example, some colleges (such as University of Iowa) run programs in student dormitories, while other models focus on community colleges.

Brainstorming goals at the session.

For now, Nevada’s Think College will work on transitioning students with disabilities into community colleges in one or two areas as a test. The results will be presented and the model will roll out across the state.

Participants at the Think College strategic planning session.

]]> http://nced.info/thinkcollege/2010/06/04/grant-money-or-no-think-college-will-continue-on/feed/ 0 http://nced.info/thinkcollege/2010/04/27/19/ http://nced.info/thinkcollege/2010/04/27/19/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:36:36 +0000 mhbryant http://nced.info/thinkcollege/2010/04/27/19/