IDEAL program receives $1.6 million grant from U.S. Department of Education
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
Lipscomb University’s educational program for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities has received a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education through its Model Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) initiative.
Lipscomb was one of only 25 universities in the nation to receive a TPSID grant. Other institutions awarded a grant this year include the University of Alabama, Syracuse University, Ohio State University, Appalachian State University and Vanderbilt University among others. The $1.6 million grant Lipscomb received will help support and expand services in the College of Education’s IDEAL (Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb) program.
“This grant is significant to our IDEAL program in several ways,” said Deborah Boyd, interim dean of Lipscomb’s College of Education. “Being one of only a few universities in the country to receive a TPSID grant is a strong indication that the program we launched just last year is already being recognized for its quality and for the positive impact it is having having on campus and all students, in addition to the students in the program, who otherwise might not have an opportunity to have a college experience. The size of the grant is also very significant in that it will allow us to add resources, to serve students and their families better, to expand our programming.”
IDEAL is a two-year certificate program, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, designed to encourage and support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience college as their peers do. Launched in January 2014, the IDEAL program includes academic and skill-building classes, exercise sessions, daily internships, leisure time and a daily study period. The initial cohort included three students. This fall, 19 students comprising three cohorts are enrolled in the program.
“The grant really acknowledges the quality of the program we have put together here at Lipscomb in just two short years,” said Misty Vetter Parsley, director of special education in Lipscomb’s College of Education. “It’s really a reflection of all that the entire Lipscomb community has done to make this program a success and to be one that is meaningful to our students. Our faculty, peers, students, community partners and so many more have believed in this program and have come together to make it a unique program that is making a difference in the lives of our students.”
Boyd said the grant will fund a variety of proposed initiatives including:
- additional staff, including a transition coordinator, a job placement coordinator and job coaches among other proposed personnel;
- development of a third-year intensive job training option for participants in partnership with Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee;
- involvement of more traditional undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the College of Education’s special education studies in the IDEAL program;
- enhancement of partnerships with service providers in the Nashville area to provide professional development and to assist with transition planning for eligible students;
- expansion of the person-centered planning process to assist in the development of students’ self-determination skills; and
- development of a summer academy for students who want to learn about college life and who want to learn more about the IDEAL program among other programs.
Grant funding will also provide resources to explore future program developments and initiatives as well as for professional development opportunities, Boyd said.
Students in Lipscomb’s IDEAL program enroll in two traditional university classes per semester based on their interests and career goals, such as art, theater, music, science, computers, nutrition, health, education, early childhood studies or Bible. The IDEAL program staff members collaborate with university faculty to identify any necessary accommodations to the course material. IDEAL students are paired with traditional Lipscomb students, who serve as peer mentors. Boyd said the goal of the IDEAL program is for students to complete the program with improved independent social, communication and vocational skills and to be prepared to work in a job setting.
“I believe that one of the aspects of our program is that we have truly made our students inclusive in the college experience,” said Parsley, who was instrumental in starting the program. “They are involved not only in classes but play intramural sports, are a part of Greek life on campus, they are part of a mentoring program and go to chapel. They are truly engaged and integrated in the Lipscomb community.”
As part of the program, students hold internships both on and off campus, two in the first year on campus and two in the second year off campus, that may include a variety of tasks including clerical work or any job allowing the students to practice vocational skills matching their career goals. Students are placed in off-campus internships in their second year of the program, including Fleet Feet Nashville, Warner Parks, Divine Art Café and Nashville Food Project.
“The grants are awarded for ‘model demonstration programs,’” said Mallory Whitmore, IDEAL program director. “In essence what receiving this grant indicates is that this organization says our program is one for others to follow. They deem our program one that they’d like to see developed across the country. I appreciate Lipscomb University’s support of the IDEAL program — getting it started and up-and-running and for the continued support of our students.”
Tuition is $15,000 per year. In addition, students pay for meal plans and any applicable student fees. Students who are interested in the program should apply and may be selected to interview. Students will be eligible if they are diagnosed with an intellectual disability, do not meet the standard undergraduate admission criteria, and are between the ages of 18 to 26, among other criteria.
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— Photos by Kristi Jones