1. Texas Consortium for Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
2014

2. PSO/IDD Project started Fall 2012
Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Project
PSO/IDD Project started Fall 2012
Austin Community College STEPS program
Austin Independent School District Special Education Advisory Committee
Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas
Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas at Austin

3. PSO/IDD Project Mission
The mission of the Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Project is to build a collaboration between organizations that have or support post secondary opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to raise awareness of existing programs available in Central Texas and build support for their expansion and the creation of new programs that lead to life-long learning and meaningful, gainful employment.

4. PSO/IDD Project Goals
Raise awareness of post secondary opportunities in the community.
Raise awareness of programs across the country for students with IDD’s.
Learn interest level from community in post secondary opportunities.
Identify subject areas that are of interest to the community.
Identify potential obstacles to attending post secondary programs.
Develop support for existing programs and their expansion and the creation of new programs.
Develop community partnerships with organizations.

5. Community Forum – Austin, Texas
The primary purpose of the community forum was to achieve some of the PSO/IDD Project goals by sharing information with the community on available post secondary opportunities and to collect data on interest level from community on continuing education after high school for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

6. Community Forum General overview of post secondary opportunities
DSACT adult program presentation
ACC STEPS program presentation
Focus groups

7. Support from the 83rd Texas Legislature 2013
Senate and House of Representatives Proclamations of Support for Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Sponsors:
Senator Judith Zaffirini
Representative Elliot Naishtat

8. National Down Syndrome Society Grant
The National Down Syndrome Society awarded the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas a grant of $10,000 to support the mission and goals of the PSO/IDD Project.

9. PSO/IDD Project Presentations
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
Department of Aging and Disability Services
Texas Education Agency – Texas Special Education Continuing Advisory Committee
Texas Education Agency Education Service Centers
Texas Education Agency Education Service Center Region XIII 18+ Network

10. Texas Consortium for Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Austin Community College STEPS program
Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas
Houston Community College VAST Academy
Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas at Austin
Texas Tech Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research

11. Texas Consortium Mission
The mission of the Texas Consortium for Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is to collaborate with organizations that have programs or are interested in creating programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to promote post secondary opportunities throughout Texas that lead to life-long learning and meaningful, gainful employment.

12. Texas Consortium 2014 Goals
Present at conferences across the state.
Organize community forums and educator events in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth area, Houston, and San Antonio.
Seek funding opportunities for the expansion of existing programs and the creation of new programs in all regions of Texas.
Advocate for legislation at the Texas Legislature that will create funding opportunities for programs across the state.

13. Contact information
Gerard Jimenez
Board of Directors
Program Director & Government Affairs Director
Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas
Co-Chair
Texas Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition
Austin Independent School District Special Education Advisory Committee
Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas at Austin

14. College Opportnuities Jon Pierce-Shimomura, Ph.D.
For Adults with IDD
Jon Pierce-Shimomura, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
University of Texas at Austin (UT)
Director of Adult Education
Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT)
Gerard Jimenez
Board of Directors
Program Director
Government Affairs Director
Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT)
Thank you for inviting us to describe our new education program for adults with intellectual disability. We’re very excited to tell people about this since it appears to be the first of its kind. For those who don’t know me, I became interested in DS once my first-born son was born with this condition 12 years ago.
DSACT

15. Inclusion for people with IDD
People with Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental (IDD) are part of our society but were commonly excluded from educational, job and social opportunities.
Inclusion is now common for K-12 education
IDEA: guarantees
Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
Inclusion is not yet common for postsecondary education
ADA: must self advocate, only prevents discrimination due to disability
Inclusion is still uncommon for employment opportunities for adults with ID, partly due to a lack of postsecondary education

16. University of Texas Informal Classes Aimed at Adults with IDD
Door opened here

17. Informal Classes at UT Social Time Interactive class
We founded and led innovative a 6-week evening courses for adults with DS on our campus. Each semester, twelve-15 adults with DS were recruited to learn alongside 5 UT students topics appropriate for college level. Once a week, the students socialized at a campus café before engaging in an interactive discussion on a topic and finally performing hands-on research lessons in my teaching lab. Cutting edge topics were included to engage students with and without DS. Students with DS gave oral presentations on their research at the conclusion of each semester to family members and guests.
Thanks to DSACT, Gerard Jimenez, Allison Griffith, Josh Russell, Laura Ferguson, Kylie Huckleberry, Sarah Nordquist, Rose Stewart, Liz Cronin and dozens of UT undergraduate students

18. Hands-on Learning and Fun!!
Informal Classes at UT
Hands-on Learning and Fun!!
We covered a whole range of topics appropriate for college-level from how our senses work at the molecular level to even classes on culture where I taught them how to make sushi and write Japanese vowels. This semester, we’re offering a remedial class on practical math as well as a reverse-inclusion class on drug discovery where students learn about the medicines they take and help my lab with original research on drug screening.
Topics:
Our senses
Alcohol & drugs on the brain
Parkinson’s disease
Amazing animals
Drug discovery
Math for everyday living
Japanese language & culture
Spanish food & culture

19. Logistics for UT Informal Classes
Once per week for six consecutive weeks 5:30-8:00pm
Respite for families
27th St.
Guadalupe St
Whitis Ave
University Ave
Wichita St
Speedway
27th St Parking Garage
Speedway Parking Garage
Dean Keeton
To I-35 X
Littlefield café patio meeting place
Entrance to seminar rooms and teaching lab
Drop off parking

20. Growth of UT Informal Classes Aimed at Adults with IDD
Students served per year
UT Informal classes
With the support of our Dept Neurosci and DSACT, we have grown our class series to serve up to 200 students per year. Starting this year, we formed our official relation with UT Informal Classes to provide at least 4 reverse-inclusion classes per semester. Thanks to DSACT, we offer full scholarships for those with DS and others with financial hardship. Similar programs, like one at UCLA, cost over $30k per year!! We have also instituted year-round weekly book clubs to encourage reading ability at convenient neighborhood coffeeshops starting in 2011 for adults with DS.
Year
DSACT

21. Employment Opportunities for Adults with IDD
Cory Gentry
Lab Assistant Class I
20 hours per week
Neuroscience laboratory
University of Texas at Austin

22. Goals Achieved for UT Informal Classes
Foster high expectations:
Self-image as UT student
Expand expectations of student in eyes of family and friends
Build self-confidence:
Hesitant, but soon tried hands-on activities and participated in discussion -- obviously enjoying taste of college life
Provide important time away from family and vice versa
Socialization:
Practice appropriate conversation and body language with peers with and without IDD -- key for employability
Provide critical time for UT students in medical or education fields to truly get to know people with IDD
Broader goals:
Life-long education on college campus
Maintain affordability ($120) and thus sustainability

23. Near Future for UT Informal Classes
Integration with career development:
Identify employment strengths and desired jobs
Vocational and remedial classes on math, reading, writing and social interaction
Offer numerous courses to allow true self-determination
Additional opportunities for inclusive campus membership with typical UT students:
Inclusion program for existing Informal Classes at UT
Interaction with social groups: Best Buddies, Texas Lassos, Dean’s Scholars, etc…
Audit formal UT classes
Sustainability for expansion:
School district funding as part of transition program
Qualify program for use of Federal Student Aid
Fund raising
In the near future, we are aiming to expand and improve our program following the nationally accepted criteria derived by Think College Standards for Inclusive Higher Education.

24. Skills, Training and Education for Personal Success
STEPS Program
Skills, Training and Education for Personal Success

25. The STEPS Program
Unique program for adults whose abilities may prevent participation in traditional adult education
The STEPS Program fosters student success by preparing students for job readiness through a specialized curriculum

26. About Our Program Up to 2 year program
Focus on supporting student success and job readiness
Lesson plans are personalized based on each student's needs
Upon completion, students go onto take adult education courses, certification courses, sit for the COMPASS test or become gainfully employed

27. Our Classes Technology Skills Clerical Skills Retail Skills
Academic Skills
Workforce Development
Social Skills for Life and Work
Business Mathematics
Our Classes

28. Technology Skills Students gain skills in internet use,
Microsoft 2010 Applications and basic research skills.
Students are taught at their own pace,
layering additional information each semester.

29. Clerical Skills
Students learn appropriate business etiquette in addition to typing skills, use of office equipment, building a resume and cover letter and learning to interview.
Each Wednesday students participate in Dress for Success!

30. Retail Skills
Retail skills develops customer service skills, use of a cash register and money management
Students learn appropriate workplace behavior and how to deal with stressful situations in a healthy way.

31. Academic Skills
Students learn reading, writing and math skills, starting at each student's individual level
Curriculum focus' heavily on reading comprehension and functional mathematics
Majority of students increase academic skills one grade level each semester

32. Social Skills for Life and Work
During this class students receive hands on experience practicing appropriate workplace social skills.
Students develop conversation skills, relationship skills, public speaking, dealing with stressful situations as well as learn self - advocacy skills.

33. Adapted Business Mathematics
Students interested in business and retail enjoy the supportive challenge of Business Mathematics.
Students learn how to calculate percentages and taxes in addition to creating a budget for home and work. Students learn at their own pace and get a comprehensive experience in business mathematics

34. Workforce Development
Students who are getting ready to graduate can take the Workforce Development Class
Students learn job readiness skills such as:
Finding jobs they qualify for
Applying for jobs
Preparing for the first interview
Creating a targeted resume and cover letter
Volunteering
Students are supported through the job search, interview and hire process

35. Continuing Education Courses
Administrative Assistant Series
Child Care
Intro to Word
Intermediate Word
Advanced Word
Intro to Excel
Intermediate Excel
Advanced Excel
Sign Language
Intro to PowerPoint
Intermediate PowerPoint
Advanced PowerPoint
Event planning
Fundamentals of PC Use
Creative Writing
Drawing
Certified Nurses Aid
Medical Terminology
Weight Training

36. Graduation
Students who complete the program participate in the Continuing Education Graduation Ceremony at the end of each spring semester
Students this spring will receive a Work Readiness Certificate upon completion of the program.

37. Our Graduates
54% of all graduates took inclusive adult education courses.
92% are now employed
8% are still looking or are unable to work due to health
10% went onto further education

38. After Graduation Receptionist File Clerk Assistant Coach Cashier
Line Cook
Clerk at
State Capital
Deli Department
Dental Receptionist
Child Care Assistant
Teaching Assistant
Data Entry Clerk

39. Beyond STEPS
Students wishing to advance their education have many options!
Students who want take further Continuing Education Courses or work towards a certification can sign up for STEPS Academic Support during their final STEPS Semesters.
Academic support provides 6 hours a week of homework and tutoring help.

40. STEPS Program Director
Contact Information
STEPS Program Director
Mariah Lossing

41. VAST.hccs.edu Certificate Programs for Students With Abilities
VAST Academy Motto:
“All that I can, I will.”
VAST.hccs.edu

42. Vocational Advancement & Skills Training-23 years experience empowering “differently abled” students with developmental challenges to achieve their dreams of becoming more independent and competitively employed in the workforce.

43. Over 150 students enrolled at 2 Colleges
A 3rd Program to begin Fall 2014.

44. Offering Two Meaningful Workforce Credentials
Occupational Skills-Career Readiness
Office Skills Training & Work Keys
Formalized Admissions Process (18-25 age range)
Comprehensive Support Services
Scholarships from local foundations
Person Centered Planning
Pre-College-Freshman Success Bridge Courses
Internships with local employers
Job placement assistance

45. Occupational Skills Certificate
A two-year career readiness workforce credential, offering courses that enhance functional reading, math and writing as they relate to workforce skills, develop basic computer/financial literacy and human relations skills for the workplace. Students receive assistance with identifying a realistic career goal, through a “person centered planning” approach, develop a vocational degree plan and upon successful completion of their courses, are placed on an internship with an employer partner based on their career interests and skills.

46. Office Skills Training Certificate
TERM I
• Business Writing
• Communications
• Keyboarding
• PowerPoint
TERM II
• Intro to Office Skills
• Work Keys CRC
• Spreadsheet/Excel
• Job Preparation

47. Term III Internship- 10 week/200 hrs.
Office Assistants
Data Entry
Filing and Clerical
Receptionist
Mail Center Clerks

48. Residential Option: A partnership with “The Center”
Cullen Residence Hall
3 designated floors for
HCC VAST students
Private rooms
Modern amenities
Activities coordinator
Cafeteria that provides
breakfast, lunch, dinner
and snacks.
Social activities
Employment opportunities

49. Student Life
The Eagles Club- holds college-wide events, workshops, and community service projects.
Student Government
Campus Sports
Service Learning
Student Leadership Opportunities/Awards
Advocacy-TX Advocates State Conference

50. Leadership & Self-Advocacy
Student Leader of the Year Award

51. Capitol Day & Texas Advocates State Conference Workshop
Presented her own session.

52. President’s New Freedom Initiative Award
For furthering the Employment and Independent Living Goals of individuals with disabilities.
Pictured at U.S. Dept. of Labor in Washington, D.C. from left:
Sue Moraska, Director, Judy Embry and daughter Nicole, a VAST Academy graduate, then U.S. Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao.
Nicole is a full-time employee at Smith and Associates for more than 10 years.

53. The U.S. Dept. of Education awarded HCC- VAST Academy
a $2.5 million, 5 year TPSID grant to expand it’s comprehensive transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities.
National TPSID Grant Coordinating Center: Thinkcollege.net

54. Employment and Internship Success
MISSION STATEMENT
Education + Employment = Independence

55. Rise School has hired 5 VAST Alumni.
Employment Success
Child Care
Classroom assistants
Rise School has hired 5 VAST Alumni.

56. Internship and Employment
Hilton Americas
VAST Students staffing the Abilities Expo

57. Employment Success
Pier 1 Imports
Employee
Of the Region

58. Employers & Internship Partners :
. . .
AND MORE . . .

59. Employer Partners Texas Children’s Hospital
Shriner’s Hospital for Children
The Rise School
T.I.R.R.
KPFT 90.1 Radio
Ch. 39
The Center
Houston Public Library
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Spring Branch ISD
The River Theatre
Hilton Americas
Thornwood Elementary
Catholic Charities
Jewish Family Services
CAPS
CVS
Phoenicia Deli
Sailing Angels
Houston Arboretum
NEO Cafe
HCC Child Care Center
HCC Mail Distribution Center
. . .

60. Contact Information:
VAST.hccs.edu
Sue Moraska, Director
HCC-VAST Academy
1301 Alabama Suite 101B
Houston, TX 77004