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.
Program information submitted: February 25, 2021
| 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: | 27 |
| 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 H.S. diploma required? | No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | None Applications Accepted Year Round |
| Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
| Criteria for admission |
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| Accepts out-of-state students?: | Yes |
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
|
| Program length: | 2 years |
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term | 74.00% |
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one | 72.00% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student tuition and fees for the current school year | $0.00 |
| Average out-of-state tuition, current year | $0.00 |
| Room and board: | $0.00 |
| Program fees: | $0.00 |
| 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: |
A TIL Program scholarship is available to low income students (first and second year) that covers the costs of the Program Fee charged. **Note in 2020-21 no students lived on campus therefore they weren't charged room and board or program fees. Normally these costs are paid by students. |
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students take these types of "typical" courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
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| More about course access: |
Students are required to take at least two college classes as part of the Program the first semester of their freshman year. |
| 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? | Yes |
| Information on special classes: |
All students take classes we call academic seminars from that are only for students in our program. Examples include self advocacy, personal finance and interpersonal relationships. |
| Percentage of academic time spent only with other students in this program: | About 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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| We offer the following specialized credentials: |
Other than paid work, all students participate in a career education academic seminar our staff teaches that covers soft skills needed to obtain and keep a job. |
| 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: | Yes |
| Housing options available: |
|
| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Proportion of social time spent only with other students in this program: | 75% |
| Students have participated in these social/extracurricular activities and organizations: |
Students join clubs they are interested in. Clubs available to join include: Best Buddies, Role Playing Club, Spectrum, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Associated Student Organization, Early Childhood Education. |