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The RI Transition Academy at CCRI Knight Campus

The RI Transition Academy at CCRI Knight Campus
The Community College of Rhode Island Knight Campus
The RI Transition Academy at CCRI Knight Campus
Administration 144 Bignall Street
Warwick, RI 2888
Program Contact Kyle Johnson
Program Contact Email kjohnson@westbaycollaborative.org
Website Program website

Founded in September 2002, the R.I. Transition Academy (RITA) is the longest running transition program in Rhode Island.

RITA is a program for 18-22 year-olds who have IEPs, located on the campus of a Rhode Island local college. This program is geared toward individuals who have completed the academic courses necessary for graduation but would benefit from an additional year to acquire employment skills, functional life skills and social skills to better prepare for adult life. The R.I. Transition Academy provides students with classroom and community instruction in an adult learning environment.

Each student will participate in a minimum of three unpaid internships for up to 6-week periods in areas of interest to them based on assessments and interests. RITA participates with a wide variety of local business partners located throughout the state. While at the job sites students will gain the career skills and confidence to be able to obtain a job with minimal supports and develop an understanding of their own skills, interests, and related jobs.

At RITA, students explore monthly “themes” related to the big picture of working and living independently. Each month, students will research jobs and community resources, tour a variety of local businesses, meet with hiring managers, and participate in informational interviews.

Our Students
We help young adults who:

Are 18-22 years old, have an IEP and are currently enrolled in school
Are eligible for services from the R.I. Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS)
Require additional time to achieve transition goals to complete their high school requirements
Are motivated to attend and fully participate in program activities
Can follow the rules and expectations of a community college setting
Monthly Focus
Each month, we focus on a specific area that will help young adults in our program grow. General themes are:

Self-discovery
Food and nutrition
Personal finance
Living situations
Personal and professional relationships
Health and wellness
Being part of a community
Transportation

Program information submitted: January 25, 2024

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: 2-year community college or junior college
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? No
Number of students: 19
Affiliates
School district or agency partner: West Bay Educational Collaborative
Contact person: Therese Curran
Email: TCurran@westbaycollaborative.org
Requirements
Program serves students who have left high school? No, all of our students are still in high school
Criteria for admission
Accepts out-of-state students? No
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Planned program length Varies from student to student
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: 55.00%
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $24000.00
Program fees: $100.00
Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? We are not a CTP, and have no plans to become one.
Students pay for the program in the following ways:
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
  • Local School District funds
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
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): 1-24%
Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester? No
Is the credential approved by the college/university? Awarded by program, not officially recognized by the IHE
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Health services
  • Academic advising services (not program staff)
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 80%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Community Service
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 80%
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): 50-74%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities
  • Registered student organizations
  • Club sports