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CONNECT

CONNECT is a two-year transition program for young adults with intellectual/ developmental disabilities. It bridges the gap between high school and adulthood.

CONNECT Student Experience

Follow along with CONNECT student Noah as he walks us through a week on campus.

Get the full college experience as a JCCC Cavalier!

CONNECT includes:

  • Program-specific courses in life planning, career development and independent living
  • On-campus internship opportunities
  • Credit courses (for credit or audit)
  • Continuing education courses

This is a selective admission program with an application process and fee (in addition to tuition). Spots are limited.

Graduates receive a continuing education certificate in Career Development and Leadership.

  1. Students must have been diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability or autism spectrum disorder, prior to the age of 18, as documented by either educational, medical, or psychological evaluations by a qualified professional.
  2. Students must be currently or were formerly eligible for special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including a student who was determined eligible and was home-schooled or attended private school.
  3. Students must demonstrate a high level of independence and emotional maturity:
    1. Ability to administer medications, manage medical conditions and administer self-care without assistance.
    2. Capable of navigating the JCCC campus with minimal assistance.
    3. Ability to complete the interview process for acceptance without the assistance of a parent/guardian.
    4. Free from behaviors that would be disruptive to the learning and campus environment, including physical or verbal aggression.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to appropriately interact with peers and follow guidelines, including the JCCC Student Code of Conduct.
    6. Able to communicate with others verbally, through sign language or communication device with enough expressive language to advocate for themselves in both routine and unplanned situations (i.e., lost on campus, medical emergency, etc.).
    7. Ability to remain unsupervised for a minimum of four hours.
    8. Ability to attend scheduled courses independently.
    9. Ability to manage college level tasks (scheduling, meeting with advisors/counselors, meeting with professors, etc.) independently.  
  4. Students must demonstrate independently a desire to pursue educational, employment and social experiences in a community college setting, including agreeing to attend and participate in all CONNECT courses and activities as prescribed.
  5. Students must demonstrate basic proficiency in reading, writing and math.

Due to the number of contact hours required each semester, all admitted CONNECT students will have exited all services with their K-12 schools, including any 18-21 programming, prior to beginning CONNECT.

Step 1: Complete the application and submit by the deadline. 

Each applicant should follow the steps given on the webpage to submit the application materials by the assigned deadline.  Priority deadline: 1/31/24.  Final deadline 2/15/24.

Step 2: Packet Review

Each application packet, including references, will be reviewed by the Programs Manager to ensure that the applicant meets the admissions criteria, that the application is complete and that it was received by the required deadline.  All applications meeting these requirements will move forward to step three.

Step 3: Admissions Committee Review

An Admissions Committee, comprised of Supported Education, Career Development Center, Counseling and ACCESS Services staff will review applications and select applicants to move forward to step four.  Applications will be anonymous during this review phase.  Three categories will be given priority consideration: applications submitted by the priority deadline, Johnson County residents and applicants who have previously taken CLEAR classes through JCCC. 

Step 4: Interview

Applicants will attend a personal interview with Supported Education staff.

Step 5: Admissions Decision

Chosen applicants will be notified by email about their acceptance into the CONNECT program.

During the application and selection process, members of the Supported Education staff will be unable to answer any questions about the status of your application. After each step is completed, you will receive an e-mail with any further information needed and/or letting you know if your application has moved forward to the next step. If your application has not moved forward, you will be given suggestions and alternatives to strengthen skills and your application for future processes. All communication regarding the process will occur via e-mail and will be e-mailed to the address listed as the student's personal e-mail.

Each semester, students will pay a $550 CONNECT program fee. This fee covers the cost of the CONNECT specific courses and peer mentorship hours.

Beginning in semester two, students are also responsible for paying standard JCCC tuition rates for any credit or continuing education elective courses they are taking. Reference standard JCCC tuition rates.

During the 2024-2025 academic year, financial aid will not be available for CONNECT fees.

Semester 1 - Fall

M,W,F 9-9:50 a.m. and 10-10:50 a.m. OR 10-10:50 a.m. and 11-11:50 a.m.

  • Job Readiness (4 AU): Universal job skills such as teamwork, communication, flexibility, customer service, problem-solving, and creative thinking are explored in this hands-on course.   This is a pre-requisite to Internship I.

  • Communication Skills (4 AU):  The study of verbal, non-verbal and written communication within relationships, with an emphasis on improving professional and personal communication.  Social media safety and basic social skills such as cues in conversations, texting etiquette, etc. will be covered. This course is specifically designed for students on the Vocational Pathway.   Or

  • Composition Skills (4 AU): The study of written and verbal communication.  Students will learn foundational college level writing and presentation skills to prepare for credit coursework. This course is specifically designed for students on the Transition to AA Pathway or who will take credit courses for credit. 

Semester 2 - Spring

M,W,F 9-9:50 a.m., 10-10:50 a.m. and 11-11:50 a.m.

  • Shifting the Power (4 AU): Foundations in self-advocacy, self-awareness and self-determination are explored in this course.  Learn how to find and use your own voice as you transition to adulthood. 

  • Health and Wellness (4 AU): Explore topics in physical fitness, nutrition, healthy personal relationships, risky behaviors, and other wellness related topics that young adults face.  Students in this course will utilize the Lifetime Fitness gym on campus as part of the coursework. 

  • Foundations of Independent Living (4 AU): Focused on daily living skills necessary to live an independent life, students will practice skills in personal care, home maintenance and personal organization.  Students will create a living plan for life after college.

Semester 3 - Fall

M,W,F 9-9:50 a.m., 10-10:50 a.m. and 11-11:50 a.m.

  • Financial Literacy (4 AU): Gain the skills needed for managing personal finances: creating a budget, banking, credit and debit cards, and savvy shopping including hidden costs.  Gain understanding of paycheck and tax information.

  • Transitions I: Food, Nutrition and Daily Living (4 AU): Using skills learned in Foundations of Independent Living, students will learn the basics of cooking and nutrition and continue to build skills toward their independent living plan. This is a hands-on course that will require students to practice basic kitchen and daily living skills. 

  • Internship I: Career Exploration (4 AU): During this course, students will prepare for their first on campus internship.  Students will take interests and strengths surveys and explore career areas of interest. Internships will take place outside of class time.   This is a pre-requisite to Internship II.

Semester 4 - Spring

M,W,F 9-9:50 a.m., 10-10:50 a.m. and 11-11:50 a.m.

  • Technology in the Workplace (2 AU): Students will learn basic computer skills and common software used in workplaces, such as word processing programs, e-mail, excel and online tools such as cloud-based systems in this eight-week course.

  • Transportation Training (2 AU): Students will learn how to navigate public transportation systems and ride sharing services in this eight-week course.  Hands on experience will be included. 

  • Internship II: Career Planning (4 AU): During this course, students will prepare for their second on campus internship. Students will learn interviewing skills, resume writing and job search skills and prepare a career plan for next steps after college.  Internships will take outside of class time. 

  • Transitions II: Improving Relationships (4 AU): Students will explore skills in understanding others and in building positive lasting relationships.  Active listening, empathy, identifying diverse social norms and giving and receiving feedback will be covered. 

CONNECT uses the principles of Guided Pathways to place students on one of two paths regarding their program of study:

1. Vocational Pathway
Students on this pathway are looking to complete the CONNECT certificate and then enter the workforce. Elective courses will focus on continuing education courses and credit courses for audit to develop workforce skills in areas of interest.  Some credit courses may be taken for credit on this pathway with the approval of the program advisor. 

2. Transition to AA Pathway
Students on this pathway are looking to complete a traditional degree at JCCC in addition to completing their CONNECT certificate. Elective courses will be focused on credit courses required for their chosen degree path. 

Pathways will be determined during the person-centered planning process that begins during the summer prior to the program start.