Project Forward

Project Forward provides students with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to gain and maintain vocational skills, keys to independent living and provides a path to social success at Cape Cod Community College. Project Forward is a four semester (two year) program.

Cape Cod Community College is a comprehensive community college on Cape Cod that offers a number of degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of areas. The College is a vibrant community that reflects and includes all ages and races, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Students in Project Forward spend their first year in exploratory classes that expose them to a variety of vocational occupations. Those students are also expected to complete a First Year Student Seminar course, that discusses successfully transitioning into the College community. Students in the second year and beyond immerse their studies in a Concentration selected by them and participate in a required internship that provides hands-on learning opportunities. Students in their second year also take a Workforce Seminar course that enhances their employment skill training.

This two-year program includes the opportunity to audit or take for credit, a mainstream course or take a Project Forward elective, in addition to social experiences on and off campus. Students meet with their advisors to develop a plan to reach their academic, social, and independent goals.

In two alumni surveys conducted by Project Forward between 2006 and 2014, 87 percent of the students have held paying jobs within the past three years (of the survey).