29 Cougar Court
Taft, CA 93268
| Program Contact | Aaron Markovits |
| amarkovits@taftcollege.edu | |
| Phone | 661.763.7773 |
| Website | https://www.taftcollege.edu/til/ |
The Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL) is a post-secondary educational experience for adults with developmental disabilities that also offers a residential experience. 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 lifestyle. TIL began in August 1995, with funding from Kern Regional Center. Taft has offered programs and special classes serving individuals with developmental disabilities since 1976. Staff for the TIL program include administrative, certificate and classified staff. The program maintains a staff ratio of 3:1 and is staffed seven days a week. Instructional hours may vary – a student’s TC/TIL classes may begin at 7 a.m. and may end at 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students are responsible for paying a dorm rental fee which includes meals served in the Taft College cafeteria and all utilities except telephone. Each student has their own dorm room that is supplied with a single bed, 2 dressers, storage area, and a desk. Students are encouraged to decorate their rooms for comfort and style. The students participate in the program an 22 months. The program runs from August 1 through June 30. Staff works with each student to establish realistic short-and long-term goals. Individual Program Plans (IPP’s) are then written with the Regional Center to assist students in attaining these goals. Students are eligible for graduation when they complete the required course work and independently demonstrate the learned skills. At that time, the transition team staff assists graduates in transitioning into an independent living situation in their home community. The TIL program tracks graduates for a 10 year period to assess student outcomes.
| 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: | 52 |
| Affiliates | |
|---|---|
| School district or agency partner: | West Kern Community College District (WKCCD) |
| Contact person: | Aaron Markovits |
| Email: | amarkovits@taftcollege.edu |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Deadline to apply to this program: | None |
| Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
| Requirements for admission to this program: |
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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: | 2 years |
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Retention rate: | 100% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Cost of the program: |
$1,150/month for the 19-20 School Year |
| Additional costs: |
$3,000.00 Approximately $3,000 a month is billed to the Regional Center (Department of Developmental Services funded agency responsible for arranging for services to be provided to people with developmental disabilities). |
| Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? | Yes |
| Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
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| Scholarships available: |
<p>A scholarship is available to cover the costs of the vocational educational portion of fees. Applications available to students accepted to the program and awards are granted on the basis of financial need.</p> |
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students take these types of "typical" courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
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| More about course access: |
<p>Students are strongly encouraged to apply to the college to take classes. All students receive a vocational assessment the first semester they are here. The results of this assessment are intended to be used to assist students in selecting career/educational path they want to experience. Some students take regular college courses, others focus on the customized classes offered to all students.</p> |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Information on special classes: |
<p>Students are required to take a variety of seminars designed specifically only for students in the program ranging in topic from money management (budgets, savings, banking, etc...), Advocacy, Meal Preparation, Interpersonal Relationships, etc.... Seminars are designed to prepare students for independent living. Functional skills training are emphasized throughout the program. This is where student apply what they have learned in community or private settings. Students are graded for the work they complete and these grades are shared with the referring agency, student, and if the student is conserved, their conservator. Students may give permission to share grades with their parents if they choose.</p> |
| Time spent only with other students in this program: | Between half the time and 75% of the time |
| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 100% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 17% |
| We offer the following specialized credentials: |
<p>No, however, the college does offer certificates in things such as Business, Early Childhood Education, Disability Services Education, and more. See the Taft College Website under Career Technical Education for a more comprehensive of certificate offerings.</p> |
| Housing | |
|---|---|
| Housing is provided to students: | Yes |
| Housing options available: |
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| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Proportion of time spent only with other students in this program: | 50% |
| Students have participated in these social/extracurricular activities and organizations: |
<p>Taft College ASO Best Buddies Houchin Blood Bank Blood Drive-organized by students for the Taft College Community Special Olympics West Side Recreational and Parks District gym West Side Recreational and Parks District dance class West Side Recreational and Parks District Jiu Jitsu Taft College ASO Universal Studios Trip Taft College ASO Disneyland Trip Taft Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade Highway Cleanup Community Garden</p> |