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CTP Program Brief: Students and Families

Posted on | by Teresa Belluscio

Comprehensive Transition & Postsecondary Programs

Image of multiple students in caps and gowns, as well as two students in a classroom. The students are both in masks.

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:

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

johnny.collett@uky.edu

Program Spotlight: University of Kentucky College and Career Studies Program

Posted on | by Patti Parker

Program Spotlight: University of Kentucky College and Career Studies Program

Fall 2023 Semester Highlights

Career Exploration and Community Engagement

5 students are also working toward an undergraduate certificate in Universal Design.

During the semester, practicum students explored their career interests by engaging in campus and community activities.

Highview Arts Center | Theater Focus

Justin helped the team at Highview Arts Center prepare for a sensory-friendly performance of their production of A Christmas Carol. He researched and shared information with them and also helped set up an area where attendees could go take a break during the show when needed. It was a HUGE success. Read more about Highview

Lexington Writer’s Room | Literary Focus

Will spent time learning about local and regional writing communities, and ways to connect with them. He focused on the design of both the physical spaces and also events and processes related to the literary community. He developed his own writing process and also connected with other writers to think about how he might engage more in the future. Read more about Lexington Writer’s Room

Early Childhood Lab | Dance & Movement Focus

Kate worked alongside another UK student, Kendall (a senior and dance major) to bring dance and movement activities to UK’s Early Childhood Lab. They presented dance activities weekly to the kids and took data on which activities were best received, and notes about how to ensure that the activities and spaces were well designed for all involved. Read more about the Early Childhood Lab

Community Spotlight Podcast | Highlighting campus and community events

Callie and Sara worked together to create a new podcast called Community Spotlight, which highlights things of interest on campus and in the community. The podcast was a great way to learn about different things happening in the community, and to make some connections with people and places of interest. Community Spotlight will also continue into future semesters with other students.

You can check out the podcast here: https://hdikshep.podbean.com/

Western Kentucky CTP Approved

Posted on | by Teresa Belluscio

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.

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