Western Kentucky CTP Approved
Western Kentucky University’s application to the US Dept of Ed to establish a CTP has been approved. WKU’s program is the 6th Comprehensive Transition Program that has been approved in the Commonwealth.
Category: Students and Families
Resource: The Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities
Resource: The Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities
The Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities website is an online resource center that can be used by youth and young adults with disabilities between the ages of 12-26 and their families and caregivers to learn about how to move (transition) from pediatric health care to adult health care. Pediatric health care is medical care for children ages birth to age 18. Once children reach age 18, they are most often referred to an adult healthcare provider. This website provides resources that empower youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities to become self-advocates in the transition process without gaps in health care service. The website provides videos for youth with disabilities to view that help them to understand their healthcare transition. Youth can listen to the real-life story of Hunter, who is a young adult with a disability, and his healthcare transition journey. In the video, Hunter describes the helpful tools he used to navigate a change in his own health care. Two additional videos show a young man with epilepsy named Kobe, who makes a healthcare transition, and Katie, who lives with cerebral palsy and other health issues who transitions from a pediatrician to an adult neurologist (a medical doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the brain and nervous system). Youth can interact with toolkits, quizzes, and workbooks on these topics.
The website also provides a comprehensive listing of resources for parents and caregivers, clinicians, and direct service providers. Those resources include topics such as changes in insurance and legal rights, interactive videos, toolkits, quick guides, and infographics.
This center is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award.
University of Kentucky College and Career Studies students launch new podcast: Community Spotlight
University of Kentucky College and Career Studies students launch new podcast: Community Spotlight
Community Spotlight is a podcast highlighting different things on campus and in the community. It was started by Callie and Sara, two students in the College and Career Studies program at the University of Kentucky. Students explore campus or community events, resources, or activities each week and then work together to create a podcast episode featuring a chosen Community Spotlight.
Listen to the Community Spotlight Podcast.
Inclusive Higher Education Timeline
Inclusive Higher Education Timeline
Kentucky has a rich history in its commitment to inclusive spaces in post-secondary education. Over the last twenty years, multiple projects and initiatives have supported students with developmental disabilities as they engage in post-secondary education. The timeline below highlights some of the work that has gone into supporting students with their educational goals.
2005
Postsecondary Opportunities Workgroup
(POW) is launched by families, young adults with intellectual disabilities, and Kentucky organizations.
2008
Postsecondary Inclusion Partnership
PIP begins a three-year grant funded by the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities.
2010
The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute is awarded a five-year $2.1 million federal grant Supported Higher Education Project, SHEP.
2011
A pilot between SHEP and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation provides support services on college campuses around Kentucky.
2012
SHEP staff and students with intellectual disabilities present to the Kentucky Legislative Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education.
A group from Murray State University, led by a parent advocate, expresses interest in starting a program on campus.
Representative Carl Rollins attends the POW meeting and hears concerns that SHEP students cannot utilize Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship Program money.
2013
Kentucky’s first U.S. Department of Education approved Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program was established at Murray State University.
Kentucky Legislature unanimously passes a bill to allow students with alternate diplomas to access their KEES money.
2014
Bluegrass Community & Technical College Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) program approved.
SHEP, POW, and stakeholders explore expansion and sustainability options.
Spalding University Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) program approved.
2015
Northern Kentucky University Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) program approved.
2016
Partnerships in Employment State Systems Change grant.
Legislative action to increase KEES funding available to students with intellectual disabilities enrolled in Kentucky CTP programs.
2019
Inclusive Higher Education Webinar series.
2020
Kentucky State Budget addresses Supported Higher Education.
2021
Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership.
2022
University of Kentucky Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) program approved.
Legislative action expands the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship to include students with ID enrolled in Kentucky CTP programs.
2023
Owensboro Community and Technical College Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) program approved.
2024
Western Kentucky University Comprehensive Transition program approved.
May 2023 KSHEP Newsletter
May 2023 KSHEP Newsletter
If you experience problems accessing the May 2023 KSHEP Newsletter, please get in touch with erin.fitzgerald@uky.edu for a copy in an alternate format.
CTP Program Brief: Students and Families
Comprehensive Transition & Postsecondary Programs
Kentucky Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Program Brief for Students and Families
Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs (CTPs) were created by the Higher Education Opportunities Act (HEOA, 2008). These programs support students with intellectual disabilities (ID) who want to attend a college or university.
CTPs include:
- academic and social integration
- individualized person-centered planning
- preparation for success in life and in competitive integrated employment
What does it mean for students?
Eligible students with ID, as defined by the HEOA, who are enrolled in an approved CTP have opportunity to take challenging and meaningful credit and non-credit courses in their chosen fields of study.
Students enrolled in an approved CTP are eligible for federal and state financial assistance. This includes students who don’t have a high school diploma and may not be working toward a degree.
Student Financial Assistance:
Students with ID enrolled in an approved CTP can access federal financial aid for which they qualify and state financial aid from the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship, and College Access Program Grant programs, if eligible. Students and families can contact the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) at (800) 928-8926 or visit kheaa.com for help with the financial aid process.
To learn more about financial assistance for students enrolled in an approved Kentucky CTP, see CTP Brief: Student Financial Assistance.
Students with ID may have questions about options for going to college.
Is college possible? How do I prepare? How do I apply? Can I afford it? How do I find the right college? What else do I need to know?
Answers to these questions can be found at www.thinkcollege.net/family-resources
CTPs were created to increase access to higher education for students with ID. CTPs provide support for students to:
- Take college courses that lead to a certificate or diploma
- Receive assistance in developing an individualized program of study
- Take courses (for a grade, audit, or pass/fail) with academic accommodations
- Receive academic and social supports, like peer mentoring and tutoring
- Have opportunities for work experiences and internships
- Foster self-reliance and self-determination
There are six approved CTPs in Kentucky:
Additional Information
To learn more, students and families may wish to talk to a teacher, school or vocational rehabilitation counselor and/or their Admissions and Release Committee (ARC).
Think College offers helpful information for students preparing to go to college and useful resources for families. To explore these resources, visit: www.thinkcollege.net/resources
If you would like to watch stories of other students with ID who have gone to college, you can find those here: www.tinyurl.com/yxaz3lco
Last updated 9/13/2023. To view the latest version of this document, visit www.kshep.hdiuky.org/resources
For more information, please contact:
Johnny W. Collett
Deputy Director
(859) 257-2304
OCTC offering program to support students with intellectual disabilities wanting to attend college
OCTC offering program to support students with intellectual disabilities wanting to attend college
Read the original article in the Owensboro Times
Inclusive Higher Education featured on The State of HDI Podcast
Inclusive Higher Education featured on The State of HDI Podcast
The State of HDI is a podcast exploring initiatives and projects of the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI).
In Episode 1, Johnny Collett (HDI Deputy Director) and Erin Fitzgerald (CTP Coordinator) discuss inclusive higher education programs that support students with education and career goals.
CTP Programs: Key Points for Students
CTP Programs: Key Points for Students
Watch a video by Rebecca Gregory and Erin Fitzgerald about Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs. The video outlines key points students should know.
Think College Stories
ThinkCollege Stories
ThinkCollege provides readers with stories from students with intellectual disabilities who have gone to college. Read them by clicking the button below.