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Project Achieve/VERTICAL+

Project Achieve/VERTICAL+
Florida State College - Jacksonville
Project Achieve/VERTICAL+
101 West State St.
Room A1001K
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Program Contact Denise Giarrusso
Program Contact Email ProjectAchieve@fscj.edu
Phone 904-361-6216

Project Achieve/VERTICAL+ is a partnership between FSCJ, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Duval County Public Schools serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participating students have either graduated from high school, or have received all their credits for graduation, but have decided to continue their education in a career/technical program via dual enrollment on a state college campus. There is no age maximum for project participants. Students may be supported in any eligible program offered by the college (vocational or degree seeking), including a specialized Workforce Certificate program: Career Education for Students with Disabilities. This initiative was established by a grant awarded to FSCJ by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council beginning in 2011.

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: 21
Description of our summer transition program:

During the summer, students may attend FSCJ to take Career Exploration & Planning. This continuing education class is suggested, but not required. The course helps ensure students are entering programs appropriate to their skills, abilities, and desires.

Affiliates
School district or agency partner: Duval County Public Schools
Requirements
Deadline to apply to this program: Semester prior to start
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Planned program length Varies from student to student
Cost
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
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Scholarships
  • Local School District funds
  • Grant Funding
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:

Students may enroll in any programs at FSCJ for which they are eligible. For nontraditional enrollment options, students should contact the program office at 904-633-8456.

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

In addition to courses leading to various credentials, students have the option of also participating in specialized coursework to supplement their college experience. Some courses are free of charge, depending on the topic and format.

Examples of topics include:
-Building Financial Wellness
-VERTICAL Internships
-Interpersonal Skill Development
-Florida Driving Skills for the Written Exam
​-Public Speaking for the Workplace

Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: Various certificates & degrees are available.
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 56%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
Housing
Housing is provided to students: No
Extracurricular
Students participate in student organizations on campus: Yes