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CHOICES/ Opportunities for Postsecondary Success (OPS)

CHOICES/ Opportunities for Postsecondary Success (OPS)
Colorado State University
CHOICES/ Opportunities for Postsecondary Success (OPS)
320 Occupational Therapy Department Colorado State University
Campus Delivery 1573
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1573
icon name
Program Contact Julia Kothe
Program Contact Email julia.kothe@colostate.edu
Phone 970.491.3469
Website Program website

The multi-faceted CHOICES/Opportunities for Postsecondary Success (OPS) is a program at the Center for Community Partnerships (CCP) at Colorado State University (CSU). The CCP has contracts with the CO Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (CO DVR) and the CO Division of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CO DIDD), with both of these agencies partnering with the CHOICES program to provide long-term support for young adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Through CHOICES, students with ID, as well as students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and students with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) who have significant intellectual challenges, have several options regarding the programmatic area that will best meet their postsecondary transition needs.

Work Internships in partnership with Project Search: Students with ID who are enrolled in the Poudre School District may participate in two to three separate work internships within the Columbine Health System or at Colorado State University, receiving job support during these internships by CHOICES/CCP staff. Upon internship completion, each employer has made the commitment to hire the student and employ them before or after high school graduation/exit.

Enrollment at CSU: Students with ID, including students with ASD or TBI who have significant cognitive impairments and challenges with adaptive skills, receive transition and mentoring support while enrolled at CSU. The majority of these students live in the CSU Residence Halls. All students take a regular and fully integrated course of study and are on a trajectory to graduate from CSU with a 4 year degree.

Enrollment at Front Range Community College (FRCC): Students with ID receive support while enrolled at FRCC in Fort Collins, CO. Many of these students are taking classes in preparation for transition to CSU, while some are pursuing a 2 year Associates Diploma from FRCC.

Empowerment Course: The CHOICES Empowerment Course consists of a year-long course where students with ID develop work skills via internships in the community. Empowerment students participate in PATH planning, develop their professional portfolios, and complete their resumes. The Course is taught at CSU and enrolled students with ID attend recreational, cultural and sports events at CSU, receiving mentoring from CSU students. The Empowerment Course is offered through a partnership with the CSU Division of Continuing Education. Students receive a prestigious DCE Certificate and Badge upon completion of the 10 CEU Course.

Bridge Program: The OPS Bridge Program, helps to facilitate the transition to CSU for incoming students with ID, ASD, and/or brain injury. Participating students arrive to campus in late summer (three days early), move into the Residence Halls, and receive support and guidance as they become familiar with campus and available resources. Students have the opportunity to meet their professors, learn where their classes will be held, and connect with the CSU student disability office to ensure they are set up to receive any needed accommodations.

All CHOICES/OPS programs are for transitioning students in the age range of 17 – 26. All participating students go through the eligibility process to receive support from the CO DVR and CO DIDD.

Program information submitted a year or more ago

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: 4-year college or university
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? No
Number of students: 30
Description of our summer transition program:

Bridge Program: The OPS Bridge Program facilitates the transition to CSU for incoming students with ID, ASD, and/or brain injury. Participating students arrive to campus three days early, move into the Residence Halls, and receive support and guidance as they become familiar with campus and available resources. Students have the opportunity to meet their professors, learn where their classes will be held, and connect with the CSU student disability office to ensure they are set up to receive any needed accommodations.

Affiliates
School district or agency partner: Poudre School District
Contact person: Dr. Romie Tobin
Email: rtobin@psdschools.org
Requirements
Deadline to apply to this program: CSU - March Empowerment and Bridge - August 1 Project Search - June 1 FRCC - Spring OPS - ongoing
Criteria for admission
  • Age range: 17 - 26
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Planned program length Varies from student to student
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $11080.00
Room and board: $11862.00
Program fees: $82.64
Additional costs: $2,000.00

Fee for OPS individualized support for each semester.

Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? No
Students pay for the program in the following ways:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Tuition Waivers
  • Scholarships
  • Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
  • Local School District funds
  • Funds from CO Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for eligible students with ID.

Academic
Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities):
  • Typical college courses for credit
  • Typical college courses for audit
  • Typical Continuing Education courses
More about course access:

Note that Project Search and Empowerment students do not take typical college courses for credit, although they may choose to audit one or more courses. OPS, Bridge and FRCC students take typical college courses for credit.

Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes:

Students with ID take the year-long Empowerment Course with their student mentors in attendance to provide support as needed.

Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: CSU and FRCC students are awarded a full diploma/degree upon graduation. Empowerment Students receive a Division of Continuing Education Certificate and Badge. Project Search students receive a Certificate of Completion as well as a HS diploma.
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 75%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 75%
Additional information about career development and work experience:

Front Range Community College (FRCC) offers specific vocational diplomas as a part of their Associate Degree program, e.g. Diplomas in Welding, Certified Nursing Assistant, Culinary Arts, and Information Technology.

Housing
Housing is provided to students: Yes
Housing options available:
  • Inclusive on campus
  • Inclusive on-campus housing is available  to OPS students who are regularly enrolled at Colorado State University.

Extracurricular
Students participate in student organizations on campus: Yes