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Transition to Independent Living (TIL) Program

Transition to Independent Living (TIL) Program
Taft College
Transition to Independent Living (TIL) Program
29 Cougar Court
Taft, CA 93268
Program Contact Aaron Markovits
Program Contact Email intake@taftcollege.edu
Phone 661-763-7773
Website Program website

The Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL) is a post-secondary educational experience for adults having developmental/intellectual disabilities. The program provides instruction, training, and support on a community college campus. The program is comprehensive, with curriculum and training that promotes acquisition of the functional, social, and career skills necessary for students to live a productive and normalized lifestyle. The program occupies 32 dorms at the (CIL) Center for Independent Living, (one of three residence halls on the Taft Community College campus) and several one-to-four-bedroom homes in the community. TIL began in August 1995, with funding from Kern Regional Center. The college serves as the sponsoring agency. TC has offered programs and special classes serving individuals with developmental/intellectual disabilities since 1976. Staff for the TIL program include administrative, certificated and classified staff. The program maintains a staff ratio of 3:1. Instructional hours may vary – a student’s TC/TIL classes may begin at 8 – 11 a.m. TC/TIL classes may end at 5 – 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weekend Support Staff are present from 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. The program is staffed seven days a week. Upon admission to the TIL Program, the student moves into a residence hall and begins instruction. The students participate in the program an average of 22 months. The program runs from August 1 through June 30.

Program information submitted: January 11, 2023

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: 2-year community college or junior college
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? Yes
Students in this program: Have graduated or exited from high school
Number of students: 30
Affiliates
School district or agency partner: West Kern Community College District (WKCCD)
Contact person: Aaron Markovits
Email: amarkovits@taftcollege.edu
Requirements
Program serves students who have left high school? Yes, all of our students have left high school
Regular high school diploma required? Yes, a regular high school diploma or GED is required
Deadline to apply to this program: June 30th
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
Accepts out-of-state students? No
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Program length: 2 years
Academic
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Health services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
  • Academic advising services (not program staff)
Employment
Other career development activities are:
  • Volunteer work
Housing
Housing is provided to students: Yes
Housing options available:
  • Specialized on campus
  • Specialized off campus
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
  • Registered student organizations
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events