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LEAP: Leveraging Education for Advancement Program

LEAP: Leveraging Education for Advancement Program
Albany Technical College
LEAP: Leveraging Education for Advancement Program
1704 S Slappey Blvd
Albany, GA 31701-2648
icon name
Program Contact Regina Watts
Program Contact Email rwatts@albanytech.edu
Phone 229-430-2854
Website Program website

The Leveraging Education for Advancement Program (LEAP) is an Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program (IPSE). The LEAP program at Albany Technical College (ATC) is designed to provide students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages 18 and older, an inclusive post-secondary college education experience. LEAP focuses on developing academic, personal, and self-advocacy skills that lead to employment. Each participant works closely with a trained mentor to assist students in meeting their academic, social needs & employability skills.
Student programming is based on the strengths and needs of the individual student identified through the development of a Person-Centered Plan. All certificates earned are for credit and are available to all ATC students.
All courses are taught by ATC faculty, who are dedicated to teaching and preparing all students. Courses are offered on the Albany Tech campus where LEAP students can take courses alongside other college students.
Along with taking credit classes, students can participate in career development workshops, social community integration, job shadowing, and internships. LEAP students can enjoy the full college experience by participating in college activities, clubs, and organizations that are available to all ATC students.
Graduates of the LEAP program participate in the college’s graduation ceremony.

Program information submitted: February 8, 2024

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: Technical or vocational/trade school
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? No
Number of students: 6
Affiliates
School district or agency partner: Dougherty County School System
Requirements
Program serves students who have left high school? Yes, all of our students have left high school
Regular high school diploma required? Yes, a regular high school diploma or GED is required
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
  • Age range: 18 to 25
Accepts out-of-state students? No
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Planned program length
  • 1 year
  • 2 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 100.00%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 100.00%
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $2394.00
Additional costs: $170.00
textbooks and/or uniforms
Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? Yes
Students pay for the program in the following ways:
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
  • Federal Financial Aid
  • Grant Funding
Scholarships available: The Inclusive Postsecondary Education Grant (IPSE) program provides grant assistance to students with qualifying intellectual disabilities with the cost of an approved IPSE program. Students must be enrolled in an approved IPSE program at a participating University System of Georgia (USG) or Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) institution. The Inclusive Postsecondary Education Grant (IPSE) was created beginning with the 2023-2024 Award Year (State Fiscal Year 2024). Subject to the amount of funds appropriated by the General Assembly and other available funding, the Georgia Student Finance Commission administers the IPSE Program in accordance with the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) § 20-3-494, et seq. (The remainder of this page is intentionally blank.
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
Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): 100%
Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester? Yes
Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: CULINARY PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE, HOSPITALITY OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE CERTIFICATE, et al.
Is the credential approved by the college/university? Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE
Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students? Administrative Support Assistant Certificate; Child Development Specialist Certificate; Infant Toddler Childcare Certificate; Early Childhood Care & Education Basics Certificate; Culinary Professional Assistant Certificate; Food Production Worker Certificate; Garden Center Technician Certificate;...
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Mental health/counseling services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
  • Academic advising services (not program staff)
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 16%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 50%
Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? Yes
Housing
Housing is provided to students: No
Extracurricular
Students participate in student organizations on campus: Yes
Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): 100%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities
  • Registered student organizations
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation
  • College/University's Graduation