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Project FOCUS Newsletter
A new year brings new opportunities and it often brings a time to reflect on the past. Throughout the FOCUS program, we have the opportunity to reflect much more often, not just at the start of a new year. Each new semester brings a time to reflect on the overall mission of the program and whether or not we are achieving the best outcomes we set out to do. This is driven by the outcomes of individual students within the program. Many times this happens from week to week as each individual student examines progress of short term objectives. Semester to semester and year to year examination allows each individual student to connect short term objectives to long term goals. Although there are many important areas, a major emphasis within the FOCUS program is career development. Week to week, students work in various aspect of career development, from resume building to cover letter design to job searches to interview skills. In addition to those activities, students work in various internships both paid and unpaid. Over time, employment data for individuals with intellectual disability and autism have been poor. Think College, who are tasked with compiling data from over 80 post-secondary education (PSE) programs across the country, have recently reported improving employment trends for individuals with intellectual disability who attend college PSE programs. Their recent data reported that 61% of students who completed a Transition and Postsecondary Education Program for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSID) had paid employment one year after exiting his or her program (Papay, Trivedi, Smith,, & Grigal, 2017). Hopefully this number only continues to increase and we are working to improve those numbers right here at Project FOCUS. -Ryan The full Think College report reference can be found here.
February | 2018
To provide an inclusive, accessible, and productive career education program for college aged students with Intellectual Disabilities in the Las Vegas valley that promotes self-determinations, community engagement, job readiness and transitions to adulthood through person-centered planning, inclusive teaching, evidence-based research and positive behavior supports.
Mission Statement
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University of Nevada, Las Vegas Located in the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders CEB 115 (702) 895-5836
Word from the director
What has been your favorite class so far? "Hip Hop" What would you like to do after college? "Be with my mama and be a model." Who is your favorite instructor? "Mr. Carl from Hospitality." What is your favorite place on campus? "The student union, they have Taco Bell." Advice for new students: "Don't be nervous, be FABULOUS."
Congratulations to Otischa for being selected by the National Down Syndrome Congress to join the 2018 team of Nothing Down ambassadors! After much thought and consideration, Otischa was selected to be one of 35 ambassadors out of over 700 applicants. Way to go, Otischa!
February|2018
student spotlight - OTISCHA SMILEY
meet the team
intern spotlight - tenesha harvey
My name is Tenesha Harvey. I am a returning intern with Project F.O.C.U.S. I am an undergraduate student with the College of Education. I hope to become a special education instructor upon completion of my degree. I myself, have a passion for learning and enjoy spreading knowledge to those with learning disabilities. What I find most interesting about Project FOCUS is that the students are willing to learn what I have to teach. Having the opportunity to return and be able to see the students grow into independent adults, has been such a delight. The program gives me additional hands on experience, not only with special education and learning disabilities, but also with what the FOCUS entails. During my first internship, my main role was a student mentor, which allowed me to assist them all with their learning structure. As an educational coach, my role has changed significantly. Being able to get the students into a more independent living style has been great. I would like to see the student become just as, if not more, successful than I am; learning disability or not. That’s how much faith I have in them all!
Why Project FOCUS? I was a late arrival to my first internship with the program and bit unsure as to what the program consisted of. After seeing what my role was, it brought pleasure to know that I was in a helping role, which is what I want to do after graduation anyway. Going to my internship everyday made my heart smile that I would be able to help those with learning disabilities at a higher level. Getting to know all of the students by name and keeping up with their schedules, and mine, was the harder task at hand. What has been the highlight of your internship? Nicole Bird, Clayton Rhodes and Alex Morales. The three of them warmed my heart by week three. Walking into the office every morning and seeing them waiting for me to arrive, was the best feeling ever. Alex and Clayton were the best Math 95 buddies I could have ever asked for. While Nicole was my Nutrition queen and lunch buddy! They are the ones that convinced me that this is where I wanted to be. What do you look forward to this time around? I look forward to learning the basics of the program. What make Project FOCUS run? Why has this project not been offered long ago? What will it take to make the program bigger for more students to be able to attend? These are all (plus many more) of the questions that I ask when I see that it’s leading our youth/ young adults into a successful life. How is this a program that is not immediately funded by the state of Nevada when there are so many other useless programs that receive funds? What will it take to get more people to realize this program and others like it, is needed for those with learning disabilities? This time around I am hoping to gain knowledge about all of the many questions I have. Thus far, the Project FOCUS team has been doing an excellent job at answering as many as they possibly can.
scholarships for post-secondary education
community resources
Be sure to visit our >>website<< for more community resources!
Ruby's Rainbow Scholarship Up to $5k Deadline: April 28th >> National Down Syndrome Society O'Neill Tabani Enrichment Fund 10 awards/Up to $5k Deadline: March 15th >>
Apply Here
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