1000 College Blvd.
Bldg 3 Rm 334
Pensacola, FL 32504
| Program Contact | Dondie Roper |
| droper@arc-gateway.org | |
| Phone | 850.484.1185 |
| Website | http://www.arc-gateway.org/pals/ |
| link to program Facebook page |
The Arc Gateway Program for Adult Learning and Support (PALS) is a career certification program located on the main campus of Pensacola State College. The program focuses on career certification, increased independence, and preparation to enter the workforce. PALS is designed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to learn new skills and get a job. Most applicants would have received special education services in the K-12 setting through an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan and exited their secondary school with a diploma, GED or certificate of completion. PALS offers a variety of career certification options such as: Administrative Services, Auto Detailing, Carpentry Helper, Cleaning & Maintenance, Food Service, Horticulture Studies, Lawn Care & Maintenance, and Retail Services.
While most students will earn their certification in one year, the program does offer one semester certification tracks. Based on each student’s abilities, PALS staff are able to work the individual, PSC, and other agencies to develop and coordinate a plan for additional college courses that lead to other vocational certification and academic degrees.
Program information submitted: March 15, 2021
| General | |
|---|---|
| Public or private: | Public |
| Type of school: | 2-year community college or junior college |
| Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? | No |
| Students in this program: | Have graduated or exited from high school |
| Number of students: | 50 |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school? | Yes, all of our students have left high school |
| Regular H.S. diploma required? | No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | July 1, 2021 for Fall 2021 semester |
| Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
| Criteria for admission |
|
| Accepts out-of-state students?: | No |
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
|
| Program length: | 1 year |
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term | 80.00% |
| 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 | $0.00 |
| Program fees: | $0.00 |
| Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? | No |
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students take these types of "typical" courses (with students who don't have disabilities): | Typical Continuing Education courses |
| More about course access: | Career Skills, Self-Advocacy, career certification courses, and electives |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Are students in this program able to access support services through your IHE disability services office? | No |
| Percentage of academic time spent only with other students in this program: | About half the time |
| Is the credential IHE-approved? | Awarded by program, not officially recognized by the IHE |
| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 5% |
| Other career development activities are: |
|
| 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 |
| Proportion of social time spent only with other students in this program: | 25% |