NorthWest Arkansas Community College Considers Program

BENTONVILLE -- NorthWest Arkansas Community College administrators are considering a program designed to help adults with cognitive disabilities get a degree and find a job.

Steven Gates, senior vice president for learning and provost, discussed at Monday's Board of Trustees meeting the trip he and two other administrators took last month to Bellevue College in Bellevue, Wash., to get a look at that school's Occupational Life Skills program.

At A Glance

Bond Sale

The NorthWest Arkansas Community College Board of Trustees on Monday approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of tuition bonds to pay for land in Washington County. The college has an agreement with land owner Philip Taldo to buy 20 acres next door to Springdale’s Arvest Ballpark for $2.4 million, according to Debi Buckley, the college’s chief financial officer. Expenses associated with the bonds make the price about $2.6 million.

The college has identified this site for construction of a facility intended to serve Washington County residents. The bonds are being issued strictly to pay for the land. The college intends to raise money to pay for the building.

The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and a legislative review panel still must approve the land purchase, meaning it won’t become official until August at the earliest.

Source: Staff Report

Bellevue's program "gives adults with cognitive disabilities the opportunity to earn a four-year associate degree, achieve gainful employment and become self-sufficient, contributing citizens," according to an information sheet from the college. It is the only program of its kind in the nation. Bellevue College reports a graduate employment rate of 85 percent compared to a national average of 25 percent for those with similar disabilities.

Cognitive disabilities cover a wide range of disabilities that affect mental functions. Bellevue College's program aims to help those who have been unsuccessful in a traditional college setting and who have difficulty with people skills.

There are more than 10,000 people between the ages of 18 and 64 living in Benton and Washington counties who have some kind of cognitive disability, Gates said. Only about one-third of them are employed.

"There is a major unmet need in service to this audience," Gates said.

NorthWest Arkansas Community College began looking into the program after trustee Todd Schwartz heard about it at the Association of Community College Trustees conference in October. The curriculum emphasizes "hard" and "soft" skills required to help students become exceptional employees.

The administrators' visit to Bellevue included time spent with officials there and time observing classes. Some topics covered in the classes included healthy relationships, communication in the workplace, self-determination, personal finance and problem solving, Gates said.

Students in the Bellevue program take 60 credit hours delivered over four years. They move through the program in cohorts of 12 to 14, which helps them with relationship building. Their camaraderie also helps them get through the program together, Gates said.

NorthWest Arkansas Community College is still researching the idea. The college will measure community support, especially among local organizations that deal with the disabled.

"We're also looking at a potential partnership with Bellevue College. They have an interest in spreading this program elsewhere," Gates said.

Administrators may return to the board in the fall with a specific request related to starting up a program similar to Bellevue's, Gates said.

Todd Kitchen, vice president for learner support services, and Mary Ross, dean of health professions, also made the trip to Bellevue. One thing Ross noticed was the social skills of the fourth-year students were far better than social skills of the first-year students.

The program culminates in a 200-hour internship during a student's fourth year. The internship typically is geared toward each student's personal interests.

"It's pretty incredible the job they do there," Ross said.

Joe Spivey, a board trustee, said he liked the idea, but was concerned about the cost compared to the benefits.

In response to Spivey's concern, Schwartz noted Bellevue College's tuition rate for the program is higher than it is for other students, making it 100 percent self-funding.

"I don't know too many parents who wouldn't risk $50,000 to give their kids the skills to find employment, keep employment, and not have to worry about what happens when they're gone and whether their children will be able to live without them," Schwartz said.

Geovanny Sarmiento, a trustee, said people with disabilities represent another aspect of diversity the college should consider.

"If we can get through our college doors even 10 percent of those people, I would call that success," Sarmiento said.

NW News on 06/10/2014

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