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Project F.O.C.U.S.

Project F.O.C.U.S. is a comprehensive post-secondary education program for Southern Nevada's adult college-aged students with intellectual/developmental disabilities, including young adults with autism. The program provides an inclusive, accessible, and productive career education program by incorporating evidence-based research and positive behavior supports that promote self-determination, community partnerships, and job readiness skills.

About Project F.O.C.U.S.

The goal of Project F.O.C.U.S. is to prepare individuals with intellectual disabilities for competitive, paid employment and independent living in an inclusive community setting.

Goals

• Prepare individuals with intellectual disabilities for competitive, paid employment
• Support independent living in an inclusive community setting

Academics

Participants of FOCUS will be able to participate in inclusive college courses based on their individual interests. These classes may pertain directly to their future career or they may be courses that can be taken as electives.

Academics Support

To support individualized academics, the project will:

1. Use person-centered planning to design individualized programs of studies based on each individual's interests, preferences, and needed supports.
2. Use person-centered planning to develop an individualized program of study that is related to the employment goals of the FOCUS participant.
3. Build interdisciplinary partnerships within the UNLV campus community that will support the individual interests of each FOCUS participant.
4. Provide a certificate of completion that is recognized in the local community.

Employment

Similar to academics, participants of FOCUS will be provided with support to find and experience a career that is of interest.

Employment Support

To support inclusive employment, the project will:

1. Develop individualized job training and self-advocacy skills for project participants to find meaningful and person-centered competitive employment in the community.
2. Establish community and campus partnerships that will provide internships, employment opportunities or training, and/or competitive wages.
3. Establish national, state, and local agency supports that can provide ongoing job coaching services if necessary.
4. Provide scaffolds of support through FOCUS volunteers in order to develop independence of desired employment.

Independent Living

Independent living skills will be addressed during the duration of each student's program. These skills will be based on each participant's needs, will be planned accordingly, and will be taught in a natural and inclusive environment.

Independent Living Support

To support individualized independent living, the project will:

1. Continue to develop age-appropriate academic, functional, and social skills by promoting self-determination skills through participation of inclusive academic and campus opportunities.
2. Continue to informally develop functional independent living skills needed for each individual's environment through person-centered planning.
3. Continue to develop functional independent living skills through inclusive continuing education courses.
4. Support components of independent living, as needed, through FOCUS volunteers and inclusive functional activities.

Application Process

The application process for Project F.O.C.U.S. involves several steps:

Step 1: Application

• Gather/create the following documents:
  • Documentation of intellectual/developmental disability
  • A current or most recent Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
  • Psychology evaluation or eligibility determination (completed within the last three years)
    • If Applicable: Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
• Response to short essay questions
• Personal video (e.g., application reading personal essay, performing an instrument, playing sports)
• Two letters of recommendation
  • Personal
    • Can be a family member (other than a parent/guardian)
  • Professional
    • Must be from a non-relative
• Each letter must include:
  • Applicant's name, address, and phone number
  • A description of the author's relationship to the applicant and the length of the relationship
  • Why the author feels the applicant would benefit from participating in this program
  • A description of the applicant's desire to learn using examples from the relationship
  • An explanation of the applicant's support system (e.g., parents/guardians, family members, friends)
  • Additional student writing samples (optional)

Step 2: Application Review

• Our team will review the application and materials and contact the applicant via email to set up an interview date.

Step 3: Applicant Selection

• We will send a notification letter via email and U.S. mail in early May.

Step 4: Meeting and Enrollment

• STAR Planning
  • STAR Planning meetings will be scheduled via appointment calendar link. This link will be sent via email in May to all accepted students.
  • We will meet in person with selected applicants before the start of the fall semester to discuss person-centered goals, also known as STAR planning and completing enrollment and registration in courses.

Cost Information

Like all college students, Project F.O.C.U.S. students are responsible for tuition. Tuition varies based on the number of credits a student takes and fees associated with courses.

• Tuition per semester: $2,000-$3,000
• FOCUS program fee: $3,450
• Total cost per semester: $5,450-$6,450

Project F.O.C.U.S. at a Glance

Careers and Competitive Employment

Careers and Competitive Employment

The job market of the 21st century has become increasingly competitive, with employment outcomes often favoring individuals with higher levels of education, job training, and previous work experience. With many current occupations requiring specialized sets of skills and previous training for entry-level positions, postsecondary education has become an essential pillar in the modern market.

F.O.C.U.S. Certificate

An Occupational and Career for Life Studies Certificate (OCLSC) will be awarded upon completion of the two-year 42 credit program. The OCLSC is designed to meet the person-centered values of each participant.

F.O.C.U.S. Certificate

The OCLSC allows all students to participate in the general core classes, job track experiences, and supervised work studies. This certificate is offered through collaboration with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the UNLV Department of Continuing Education.

Adjustment to Campus Life

Students that attend college as freshmen often experience difficulties transitioning from the demands and structure of secondary school to the independence and self-determination required in college. To ease this transition for students enrolled in Project F.O.C.U.S., students have access to mentors and tutors provided by the project, while also having access to traditional university services.

Adjustment to Campus Life

While support is provided for individuals participating in the project, it is a goal that while enrolled in the program, each student independently navigate the campus, attend courses, participate in campus functions, and seek out necessary support provided on campus or through the project.

Extra Curricular Activities

Inclusion in the college environment extends beyond enrollment in courses. In fact, most of a typical college student's college experience takes place outside of the classroom and in social contexts.

Extra Curricular Activities

Because FOCUS aims to provide the most inclusionary and typical college experience possible, a major priority is to have students involved as active and social members of the campus community. This includes participation in student organizations, membership in clubs, exploration of the community surrounding the campus, attendance at school sporting events, and participating in the student community on campus.

Support Project F.O.C.U.S.

Volunteer

In order to support our students, FOCUS is always looking for volunteers. Our volunteers play an integral part in the FOCUS program because they provide students with even more inclusive opportunities to socialize and interact with the UNLV community.

Donate

Your donations help to make post-secondary education possible for our young adults with autism and intellectual disability.