JCCC CONNECT: College Opportunity Network to Navigate Education, Career and Transition Application Process and Checklist 2022-2023 Academic Year

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JCCC CONNECT: College Opportunity Network to Navigate Education, Career and Transition Application Process and Checklist 2022-2023 Academic Year
JCCC CONNECT: College
     Opportunity Network to
    Navigate Education, Career
          and Transition

         Application Process and
                Checklist
     2022-2023 Academic Year

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Application Information and Process
                                     Program Description
JCCC CONNECT is a two-year transition program for adults with intellectual/developmental
disabilities. Graduating students will receive a continuing education certificate in Career
Development and Leadership. During the course of study, students will participate in CONNECT
specific courses around life planning, career development and independent living, participate in
on-campus internship opportunities, take credit courses (for credit or audit) and/or traditional
continuing education courses and be fully immersed in the student life of JCCC.

                                           Course of Study
Each semester, students will be enrolled in three (3) CONNECT specific courses that will be held
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Additionally, each semester
students will be enrolled in a one-hour Campus Involvement Seminar course to track campus
involvement and peer mentorship hours. Beginning in the second semester, students will be
eligible to enroll in elective coursework that may include credit courses for credit or audit
and/or traditional continuing education courses. Throughout the first semester, students will
work with Supported Education staff and their planning team to choose a path for elective
coursework. Below are descriptions of the CONNECT specific courses that each student must
complete, by semester.

           Fall Semester 1- Course Name                               Course Description
 Cavalier Connections                              Intended for first year students, this course will help
                                                   you explore the JCCC campus and get connected with
                                                   its resources. From Clubs to ID cards, explore what it
                                                   means to be a JCCC Cavalier!
 Foundations of Independent Living                 Focused on daily living skills necessary to live an
                                                   independent life, students will practice skills in
                                                   personal care, home maintenance, food preparation,
                                                   problem solving, and personal organization.
 Communication Skills                              The study of verbal, non-verbal and written
                                                   communication within relationships, with an emphasis
                                                   on improving professional and personal
                                                   communication. Social media safety and basic social
                                                   skills such as cues in conversations will be covered.
          Spring Semester 2- Course Name                              Course Description
 Shifting the Power                                Foundations in self-advocacy and self-determination
                                                   are explored in this course. Learn how to find and use
                                                   your own voice as you transition to adulthood.
 Health and Wellness                               Explore topics in physical fitness, nutrition, healthy
                                                   personal relationships, risky behaviors, and other
                                                   wellness related topics that young adults face.
                                                   Students in this course will utilize the Lifetime Fitness
                                                   gym on campus as part of the coursework.

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Job Readiness                                    Universal job skills such as teamwork, communication,
                                                  flexibility, customer service, problem-solving, and
                                                  creative thinking are explored in this hands-on course.
                                                  Begin person centered career planning to explore
                                                  interests and potential internships. This is a pre-
                                                  requisite to Internship I.
             Fall Semester 3- Course Name                              Course Description
 Financial Literacy                               Gain the skills needed for managing personal finances:
                                                  creating a budget, banking, credit and debit cards, and
                                                  savvy shopping including hidden costs. Gain
                                                  understanding of paycheck and tax information.
 Transitions I: Planning for Independent Living   Using the skills learned in Foundations of Independent
                                                  Living, create a living plan for life after college. Set
                                                  goals for independent living, including using
                                                  community resources, finding and caring for a home
                                                  or apartment, discussing roommates, exploring leisure
                                                  activities, etc. This is a pre-requisite to Transitions II.
 Internship I                                     During this course, students will prepare for their first
                                                  on campus internship. Students will learn
                                                  interviewing skills, resume writing and job search
                                                  skills. Internships will take place both in and outside
                                                  of class time. This is a pre-requisite to Internship II.
           Spring Semester 4- Course Name                              Course Description
 Technology in the Workplace                      Students will learn basic computer skills and common
                                                  software used in workplaces, such as word processing
                                                  programs, e-mail, excel and online tools such as cloud-
                                                  based systems in this eight-week course.
 Transportation Training                          Students will learn how to navigate public
                                                  transportation systems and ride sharing services in
                                                  this eight-week course. Hands on experience will be
                                                  included.
 Internship II                                    During this course, students will prepare for their
                                                  second on campus internship. Students will engage in
                                                  career exploration, take interest and strengths
                                                  surveys, and prepare a career plan for next steps after
                                                  college. Internships will take place both in and outside
                                                  of class time.
 Transitions II: Future Planning                  Students will engage in creating a vision for their long-
                                                  term future. Topics will include personal goals,
                                                  relationship goals, employment, independent living
                                                  and health and wellness.

                                            Program Fees

Each semester, students will pay a $550 CONNECT program fee. In addition, beginning in
semester two, students will also be responsible for paying standard JCCC tuition rates for any
credit or continuing education elective courses that they are taking. For reference, standard
JCCC tuition rates can be found here: https://www.jccc.edu/admissions/tuition/rates.html
During the 2022-2023 academic year, financial aid will not be available for CONNECT fees.

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Admissions Criteria
Prior to applying to the CONNECT program, students should ensure that they believe they meet
the required admissions criteria listed below:
   1. Students must have been diagnosed with a disability, with emphasis on intellectual and
      developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders, prior to the age of 18, as
      documented by either educational, medical, or psychological evaluations by a qualified
      professional.
   2. Students must be currently or were formerly eligible for special education and related
      services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including a student
      who was determined eligible and was home-schooled or attended private school.
   3. Students must demonstrate a high level of independence and emotional maturity:
          a. Ability to administer medications, manage medical conditions and administer
              self-care without assistance.
          b. Capable of navigating the JCCC campus with minimal assistance.
          c. Ability to complete the interview process for acceptance without the assistance
              of a parent/guardian.
          d. Free from behaviors that would be disruptive to the learning and campus
              environment, including physical or verbal aggression.
          e. Demonstrate the ability to appropriately interact with peers and follow
              guidelines, including the JCCC Student Code of Conduct.
          f. Able to communicate with others verbally, through sign language or
              communication device with enough expressive language to advocate for
              themselves in both routine and unplanned situations (i.e., lost on campus,
              medical emergency, etc.).
          g. Ability to remain unsupervised for a minimum of four hours.
   4. Students must demonstrate independently a desire to pursue educational, employment
      and social experiences in a community college setting, including agreeing to attend and
      participate in all CONNECT courses and activities as prescribed.
   5. Students must demonstrate basic proficiency in reading, writing and math.

                                    Application Process
Step One: Complete the application and submit by the deadline.
Each applicant should follow the steps given on the webpage to submit the application
materials by the assigned deadline. Priority deadline: 1/31/22. Final deadline 2/15/22.

Step Two: Packet Review
Each application packet will be reviewed by the Programs Manager to ensure that the applicant
meets the admissions criteria, that the application is complete and that it was received by the

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required deadline. All applications meeting these requirements will move forward to step
three.

Step Three: Admissions Committee Review
An Admissions Committee, comprised of Supported Education, Career Development Center,
Counseling and ACCESS Services staff will review applications and select applicants to move
forward to step four. Applications will be anonymous during this review phase. Three
categories will be given priority consideration: applications submitted by the priority deadline,
Johnson County residents and applicants who have previously taken CLEAR classes through
JCCC.

Step Four: Interview
Applicants and their parent/guardian will attend a personal interview with Supported Education
staff.

Step Five: Admissions Decision
Chosen applicants will be notified in writing, via e-mail, about their acceptance into the
CONNECT program.

During the application and selection process, members of the Supported Education staff will
be unable to answer any questions about the status of your application. After each step is
completed, you will receive an e-mail letting you know if your application has moved forward to
the next step. If your application has not moved forward, you will be given suggestions for
strengthening your application for future years.

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Application Checklist
☐ Student Application Form
☐ Student Questionnaire
☐ Family/Guardian Application Form (Parent/Guardian completes)
☐ Behavioral and Skills Assessment (Parent/Guardian completes)
☐ Parent Questionnaire (Parent/Guardian completes)
☐ Most recent IEP or 504 Plan
☐ Educational and Psychological Evaluation, completed by a psychologist or
  other qualified professional within the last three years, documenting IQ and
  diagnoses.
☐ Contact information for three references. References should have known
  the applicant for at least one year and should represent the following: one
  educational reference (teacher, case manager, etc.), one employment/activity
  reference (supervisor or sponsor) and one reference of your choice
  (community involvement, a second educational or employment reference,
  etc.) All references should be non-family members. References should be
  notified that they will be asked to complete an e-mailed reference form by
  2/22/22.
☐ Copy of Guardianship agreement, if applicable.

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JCCC CONNECT: College Opportunity Network to Navigate Education, Career and Transition

                                Student Application Materials

Dear CONNECT Applicant,
Congratulations on reaching the milestone of completing high school and beginning your future
planning. College is an exciting step in your future, and we are thrilled to see that you are
considering the CONNECT program as part of that journey.
In the following application materials, you are asked to provide many pieces of documentation.
This helps the admissions committee to get a complete picture of who you are as a student and
what your personal goals are to ensure that the CONNECT program can help you reach those
aspirations.
Along the way, please provide honest input and complete each document in its entirety. Pay
close attention to the deadlines and checklist as you make your way through the process. You
should complete these materials as independently as possible, with minimal support if needed.
Thank you for your interest in the CONNECT program and for your thoughtful consideration of
the materials in this application.

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JCCC CONNECT: College Opportunity Network to Navigate Education, Career and Transition
                                   Student Application Form
Please complete the following form in its entirety. Please type or print legibly. The information
you provide will be confidential and used only to determine eligibility for the CONNECT
program.
                                      Student Information

 Full Legal Name:                                Preferred Name:

 Date of Birth:                                  E-mail address (required):

 Address:                                        City, State, Zip:

 County of Residence:                            # of years at current residence:

 Home Phone #: (        )                        Cell Phone #: (     )

 Are you a US Citizen?                           Student ID # (if previous JCCC/CLEAR
   ☐ Yes           ☐ No                          student- leave blank if N/A or unknown):

                                    Educational Information
Please include secondary and any post-secondary information.

 Name of School                             Years attended           Completed? Y or N

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Did (or will) you receive: ☐ High School Diploma        ☐ Equivalent

Month and Year Diploma/Equivalent was awarded (or is anticipated): _____________________

Do/did you have an IEP? ☐ Yes     ☐No (if yes, a copy must be submitted)
Do/did you have a 504 Plan? ☐ Yes   ☐ No (if yes, a copy must be submitted)

Did you participate in general education classes? ☐ Yes          ☐ No

Please list any general education courses that you participated in during your most recent year
of high school: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Did you have assistance in the classroom (i.e. a paraprofessional or aide?) ☐ Yes ☐ No
       If yes, what type of support was provided? _____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Please describe any assistive technology, accommodations or modifications used in the
classroom according to your IEP/504 Plan: ___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Have you previously taken any CLEAR programming at JCCC? ☐ Yes              ☐ No
      If yes, please indicate which program (check all that apply):
               ☐Expansion, with a post-high program
               ☐Expansion, independently
               ☐Saturday classes

Have you previously taken any credit courses at JCCC? ☐ Yes         ☐ No
      If yes, please list the courses and semester taken: _______________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Please list any formal disciplinary issues/actions during the last two years of school: _________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

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Volunteer/Activities Information
Please list any volunteer experiences and extracurricular activities that you have participated in
over the last three years. Please list experiences both at school and in the community. You
may attach additional paper if needed.

          Organization             Event/Activity Description           Dates participated

                                      Employment History
Please list all paid work experiences and employment internships. Attach additional paper if
needed.

 Employer:                                        Position:

 Job Duties:                                      Paid or internship:

 Dates employed:                                  Reason for Leaving (if applicable):

 Employer:                                        Position:

 Job Duties:                                      Paid or internship:

 Dates employed:                                  Reason for Leaving (if applicable):

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Employer:                                      Position:

 Job Duties:                                    Paid or internship:

 Dates employed:                                Reason for Leaving (if applicable):

 Employer:                                      Position:

 Job Duties:                                    Paid or internship:

 Dates employed:                                Reason for Leaving (if applicable):

Which position listed did you enjoy the most and why? _________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

What types of support did you have in your employment positions (i.e. job coach, etc.?) ______
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

                                  Medical/Disability History

Please provide a complete description of your medical history, including any diagnoses or
disabilities:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

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Please list all medications that you are regularly taking and the condition they are taken for:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Do you have any medical conditions that require special diets (i.e. diabetes, food allergies, food
intolerances, etc.?) ☐ Yes        ☐ No
        If yes, please describe how you manage those conditions independently: ____________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Do you regularly see a therapist or other mental health clinician?   ☐ Yes    ☐ No
       If yes, please describe the services received and how often? _______________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Do you receive private (outside of school) physical, occupational and/or speech therapy?
☐ Yes           ☐ No
       If yes, please list the services and how often you receive them: ____________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Do you require any mobility assistance?       ☐ Yes        ☐ No
       If yes, please describe your mobility aides (i.e. wheelchair, crutches, etc.) ____________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Is there any other information you would want JCCC CONNECT staff to know in regard to your
medical history for your safety on campus? __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

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Reference Information

Please include contact information for three references. One should be an educational
reference (teacher, job coach, etc.), one should be an employment/activities reference
(supervisor, activity sponsor, etc.) and the third is of your choosing (community involvement, a
second educational or employment reference, etc.) References should not be family
members. Please inform your references that they will be asked to complete an e-mailed
reference form by 2/22/22. Please make sure to choose references who have known you for at
least one year, know your career and independent living goals AND who will complete the
reference form by the date provided.

 Name                                            Reference Type (educational, employment,
                                                 etc.)

 Job Title                                       Years known

 E-mail                                          Phone

 Name                                            Reference Type (educational, employment,
                                                 etc.)

 Job Title                                       Years known

 E-mail                                          Phone

 Name                                            Reference Type (educational, employment,
                                                 etc.)

 Job Title                                       Years known

 E-mail                                          Phone

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Student Questionnaire: Please attach your responses to the following questions. Please type
or write legibly.
    1. Why are you interested in the CONNECT program?
    2. What are your goals in regard to career, independent living and personal relationships?
    3. What are your hobbies and interests and how much time do you spend engaged in
        these activities?
    4. What was your favorite subject in school? Why?
    5. Describe a teacher that you had a good working relationship with. What were the
        characteristics of that teacher that made them easy to work with?
    6. Describe a time when you had a conflict with a friend. How did you handle it and what
        was the outcome?
    7. Describe your social media presence. What apps do you use and what do you find
        challenging about managing social media?
    8. Do you feel you are ready for college? Why or why not? What have you done to
        prepare for the transition?
    9. What are your feelings about your family being involved with your college experience?
        How much or how little do you expect them to be involved?
    10. What are you most nervous about in regard to college? How will you manage these
        concerns?

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JCCC CONNECT: College Opportunity Network to Navigate Education, Career and Transition

                             Parent/Guardian Application Materials

Dear Parents/Guardians of CONNECT Applicants,
Thank you for your interest in the JCCC CONNECT program. The transition from high school to
college is an exciting time in your life, as well as your student’s life, with many new experiences
on the horizon.
As your student begins the application process for the CONNECT program, there will be times
when we will seek information and input from you along the way. There will also be many
times during the process that your student will be required to provide information without
assistance. Each step of the way, you and your student will be guided by the Supported
Education Programs staff at JCCC.
Your honest input in the following documents is vital in understanding where you believe your
student is with various skills. Please thoughtfully consider your answers as you complete the
following forms:

    •   Family/Guardian Application Form
    •   Behavioral and Skills Assessment
    •   Parent Questionnaire

Thank you again for your interest in the JCCC CONNECT program and for your input in the
application process.

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JCCC CONNECT: College Opportunity Network to Navigate Education, Career and Transition
                              Family/Guardian Application Form
Please complete the following form in its entirety. Please type or print legibly. The information
you provide will be confidential and used only to determine eligibility for the CONNECT
program.
Student Name: _________________________________________________________________
Form Completed By (Name/Relationship to applicant): _________________________________

Is the student his/her own guardian? ☐Yes            ☐ No

If no, are you the legal guardian of the student? ☐ Yes         ☐ No

If you are not the legal guardian of the student, please provide the name of the legal guardian
here: _________________________________________________________________________
Preferred Emergency Contact for your student:
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number: ________________________________________________________________

E-mail: _______________________________________________________________________
Students Primary Residence:

☐ Both Parents       ☐ Mother        ☐ Father      ☐ Guardian (if different than parent)

☐ Own home (apartment, etc.) ☐ Other: __________________________________________

Mother/Guardian:

 Name:                                           Home Phone:

 Employer:                                       Work Phone:

 E-mail:                                         Cell Phone:

Father/Guardian:

 Name:                                           Home Phone:

 Employer:                                       Work Phone:

 E-mail:                                         Cell Phone:

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JCCC CONNECT: College Opportunity Network to Navigate Education, Career and Transition
                                     BEHAVIORAL AND SKILLS ASSESSMENT
                                             PARENT VERSION

Student Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Form Completed By (Name/Relationship to applicant): _______________________________________

This form should be completed by the applicant’s parent, guardian, or caregiver. Please give your honest
assessment of each of the skills listed below. If you have not seen the applicant perform the skill listed, or it does
not apply, please mark “Unsure/Not Applicable.” Please type or print comments legibly.

               Interpersonal/Social Skills                     With no       With         With          With         Unsure/
                                                              assistance    minimal     moderate     significant/      Not
                                                                           assistance   assistance    complete      Applicable
                                                                                                      assistance
 Engages in social activities.
 Has the ability to problem solve.
 Participates in informal conversations with others.
 Responds appropriately to authority figures.
 Plans/initiates social events.
 Communicates opinions appropriately.
 Forms and maintains friendships.
 Manages conflict with peers.
 Establishes boundaries in relationships.
 Uses social media/texting appropriately.
Please provide more information for any “significant/complete assistance” responses:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

                Community/Safety Skills                        With no       With         With          With         Unsure/
                                                              assistance    minimal     moderate     significant/      Not
                                                                           assistance   assistance    complete      Applicable
                                                                                                      assistance
 Understands safety when in groups of strangers.
 Knows how and when to find or call for help.
 Uses community resources.
 Ability to be unsupervised for at least 4 hours.
 Carries appropriate identification.
 Understands and communicates medical needs.
 Understands emergency procedures (fire, etc.)
 Can administer daily medications as appropriate.
 Understands what medications to take to solve
 common symptoms (headache, cold, etc.)
Please provide more information for any “significant/complete assistance” responses:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

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Independent Living Skills                    With no       With         With          With         Unsure/
                                                           assistance    minimal     moderate     significant/      Not
                                                                        assistance   assistance    complete      Applicable
                                                                                                   assistance
 Demonstrates good hygiene practices daily.
 Understands and uses public transportation.
 Uses cash effectively (has enough, counts change.)
 Uses a bank account.
 Can prepare a healthy meal for themselves.
 Plans and schedules appointments.
 Effectively manages time.
 Gets adequate sleep.
 Sets and uses an alarm to wake up.
 Arrives to events on time.
 Understands own disability/diagnoses.
Please provide more information for any “significant/complete assistance” responses:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

               Career Development Skills                    With no       With         With          With         Unsure/
                                                           assistance    minimal     moderate     significant/      Not
                                                                        assistance   assistance    complete      Applicable
                                                                                                   assistance
 Attends work as scheduled.
 Able to work as a team/get along with co-workers.
 Able to work independently.
 Remembers passwords for computer processes.
 Can use basic office software (Word, e-mail, etc.)
 Composes written communication.
 Follows verbal directions.
 Asks questions for clarification.
 Dresses appropriately for the job.
 Communicates with supervisor appropriately.
 Demonstrates customer service skills.
 Completes assigned tasks.
Please provide more information for any “significant/complete assistance” responses:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Please provide any additional information or comments that you think would be helpful regarding the
skills/behaviors listed in this assessment.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

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Parent Questionnaire: Please attach your responses to the following questions. Please type or
write legibly.
    1.  Why are you interested in this program for your student?
    2.  What are your students’ greatest strengths?
    3.  What are your largest concerns for your student?
    4.  Explain your expectation/understanding of parent involvement in the college
        experience.
    5. What goals do you have for your student in the areas of career, independent living, and
        social relationships?
    6. How will your student get to campus? Does your student have a driver’s license and/or a
        vehicle? Will public transportation be a part of your overall plan?
    7. Describe any concerns you have in regard to your student and unsupervised free time.
    8. What resources or support do you feel are important for your student’s success?
    9. How have you and other adults in your student’s life helped to prepare them for the
        transition to college?
    10. Does your student have a history of behavioral issues? Pay particular attention to any
        history of physical, verbal or sexual aggression.
    11. Is there other information you believe would be important for the admissions team to
        know about your student that has not been covered here or in another document?

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