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.
Program information submitted: January 24, 2023
| 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: | Are still enrolled in high school |
| Number of students: | 17 |
| Affiliates | |
|---|---|
| School district or agency partner: | RI Department of Education |
| Contact person: | Jane Slade |
| Email: | Jane.Slade@ride.ri.gov |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school? | No, all of our students are still in high school |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | None |
| Criteria for admission |
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| Accepts out-of-state students? | No |
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
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| Program length: | 1 year |
| 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: | 5.00% |
| 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)? | No |
| Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
|
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
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| 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 |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Certificate of completion |
| 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: |
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| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 94% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 94% |
| Additional information about career development and work experience: | Students participate in a minimum of 3 internships and are encouraged to accept paid employment |
| 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): | 100% |
| Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities |
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