3301 N. Mulford Rd.
Rockford, IL 61114
| Program Contact | MaryAnne Ax |
| M.Ax@RockValleyCollege.edu | |
| Phone | 815-921-2365 |
| Website | http://RockValleyCollege.edu/Raise |
The Rock Valley Academic Institute for Successful Employment (RAISE) Program is a collaborative initiative involving Rock Valley College, local not-for-profit organizations, and local school districts to provide opportunities for young adults who have intellectual disabilities to participate in a supportive and inclusive post-secondary educational program that allows them to develop independent living and work readiness skills.
The Program is designed to address student’s unique learning needs by providing a comprehensive approach that includes career exploration, targeted vocational and academic instruction, and reasonable accommodations.
The specific program goals are to:
• Increase independence
• Promote self-determination and self-advocacy
• Promote lifelong learning
• Improve competitive job placement
Program information submitted: March 10, 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: |
|
| Number of students: | 26 |
| Affiliates | |
|---|---|
| School district or agency partner: | 6 area districts are served |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school? | Some of our students have left high school |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | 8/6/2021 |
| Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
| Criteria for admission |
|
| Accepts out-of-state students?: | Yes |
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
|
| Program length: | Varies from student to student |
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term | 90.00% |
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one | 95.00% |
| Notes on acceptance and attendance: | RAISE is a one and a half year program. Retention to completion is around 95% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student tuition and fees for the current school year | $1200.00 |
| Cost of the program: | |
| Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? | Pending (we have applied to become a CTP but have not yet been approved) |
| Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
|
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students take these types of "typical" courses (with students who don't have disabilities): | Students do not take typical college courses |
| 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 |
| Information on special classes: | Six core classes: Personal Empowerment, Community Integration, Career Exploration, Career Skills Development, Safe and Healthy Living and Financial Literacy |
| Percentage of academic time spent only with other students in this program: | All of the time |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Achievement in Work Readiness - depends on mastery of objectives |
| 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: | 10% |
| Other career development activities are: |
|
| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 20% |
| We offer the following specialized credentials: | When the RAISE CTP application is approved, students will serve a required internship or job shadow |
| Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? | No |
| Housing | |
|---|---|
| Housing is provided to students: | No |
| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | No |
| Proportion of social time spent only with other students in this program: | 25% |