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UNLV F.O.C.U.S.

UNLV F.O.C.U.S.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
UNLV F.O.C.U.S.
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Box 453014
Las Vegas, NV 89154
icon name
Program Contact Kate Lawhorn
Program Contact Email focus@unlv.edu
Phone 702-895-1749
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

Project FOCUS is an inclusive, accessible and productive career education program for college-aged students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the Las Vegas region that promotes self-determination, community engagement and partnerships, job readiness and transitions to adulthood through person-centered planning, inclusive teaching, evidence-based research and positive behavior supports. Project FOCUS students set goals in academics, self-determination, campus and community engagement, career development and independent living. Students in the program audit general pre-requisite and individual job track courses. Our Academic Inclusive Specialists meet with each student on their caseload for two hours each week to ensure they are completing their assignments and classwork as per their audit agreements and making adequate progress towards their goals from their person-centered plan. Students also participate in internships on campus during their second year of the program. Our goal is to help prepare them for a post-certificate career of their choosing.

Program information submitted: January 25, 2024

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: 4-year college or university
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? No
Number of students: 25
Description of our summer transition program:
Requirements
Program serves students who have left high school? Yes, all of our students have left high school
Regular high school diploma required? No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted
Deadline to apply to this program: April 1, 2024
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
  • Down Syndrome, IDD
Planned program length
  • 2 years
  • 4 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 35.00%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 100.00%
Notes on acceptance and attendance: Our program is capped at 25 students. We can only accept as many openings as we have in the program.
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $5000.00
Program fees: $7900.00
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:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Scholarships
  • Federal Financial Aid
  • Veteran or Military Benefits
Scholarships available: The Cohen Scholars Program - This program awards our students, despite difficult circumstances, the opportunity to better themselves, our university, and our communities. By lifting the financial burden of attending UNLV, this program helps students focus on their studies and immerse themselves in the university experience.
Academic
Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities):
  • Typical college courses for audit
  • Typical Continuing Education courses
More about course access: Our students audit UNLV courses. We meet with each professor and their FOCUS student at the beginning of the semester to determine which assignments will be completed. Students have an active role in determining which course assignments they will complete.
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes: We teach FOCUS specific courses in Daily Living and Career Development. Students also take an Internship Seminar the second year of the program.
Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): 75-99%
Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester? Yes
Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: Occupational and Career Life Studies Certificate (OCLSC)
Is the credential approved by the college/university? Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Health services
  • Mental health/counseling services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
  • Academic advising services (not program staff)
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 10%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
Additional information about career development and work experience: Our students participate in internships during the second year of the program.
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
Housing options available:
Extracurricular
Students participate in student organizations on campus: Yes
Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): 75-99%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities
  • Registered student organizations
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
  • Fraternities/sororities
Students participate in these campus-wide events: College/University's Graduation