Community Living & Participation

CONNECT is a two-year transition program for young adults with mild intellectual/ developmental disabilities. It bridges the gap between high school and adulthood.

CONNECT students take coursework at JCCC for credit or for audit.

Graduates receive a continuing education certificate in Career Development and Leadership.

Eligibility:

• This is a selective admission program. There is a fee in addition to tuition!

• Students must have been diagnosed with a disability, with emphasis on intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders, prior to the age of 18, as documented by either educational, medical, or psychological evaluations by a qualified professional.

• Students must be currently or were formerly eligible for special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including a student who was determined eligible and was home-schooled or attended private school.

• Students must demonstrate a high level of independence and emotional maturity:

• Ability to administer medications, manage medical conditions and administer self-care without assistance.

• Capable of navigating the JCCC campus with minimal assistance.

• Ability to complete the interview process for acceptance without the assistance of a parent/guardian.

• Free from behaviors that would be disruptive to the learning and campus environment, including physical or verbal aggression.

• Demonstrate the ability to appropriately interact with peers and follow guidelines, including the JCCC Student Code of Conduct.

• Able to communicate with others verbally, through sign language or communication device with enough expressive language to advocate for themselves in both routine and unplanned situations (i.e., lost on campus, medical emergency, etc.).

• Ability to remain unsupervised for a minimum of four hours.

• Students must demonstrate independently a desire to pursue educational, employment and social experiences in a community college setting, including agreeing to attend and participate in all CONNECT courses and activities as prescribed.

• Students must demonstrate basic proficiency in reading, writing and math.

Important Links:

• Johnson County Community College CONNECT Program -- Main page for CONNECT program at JCCC. Information about admissions, eligibility, and costs are on this single page.

KU Transition to Postsecondary Education (KU TPE) is a two-year, inclusive postsecondary education program for KU students with intellectual disabilities. While in KU TPE, students take regular KU courses for credit, can live in on-campus housing, participate in career-specific internships, and can participate in all clubs and activities. KU TPE provides a real college experience for its students.

Eligibility:

• Must have a documented disability

• Must be 18 years old

• Demonstrates skills in navigating community and school environments with a willingness to learn new modes of transportation

• Demonstrates level of unsupervised independence (2-4 hours) using appropriate supports with potential to increase independence over time

• Wants to enhance their:

  • Adult roles and responsibilities

  • Self-determination

  • Career development and employment potential

  • Academic and adult learning strategies

• Is responsible for medications and self-care with appropriate supports if needed

• Has previous experience with work-based learning (e.g., in-school, volunteering, and/or paid employment)

• Desires integrated, paid employment upon completion of KU TPE

Important Links:

• KU TPE Main Website -- Main website with brief overview of KU TPE

• KU TPE Program Information -- Website with detailed information about the KU TPE program

• Resources -- Website with links to resources that will help pay for KU TPE (it costs the same credit-hour wise as a typical KU student would pay)

Accessible Chef is a website that houses hundreds of visual recipes and craft directions. You can also create your own custom visual recipe using the Recipe Creator. Accessible Chef also has a resources section that provides ideas for adaptive cooking tools/techniques and other helpful guides/videos.

Important Links:

• Accessible Chef Main Website -- Main website with a general overview of Accessible Chef

• Recipe Bank -- Searchable recipe bank for Accessible Chef.

Making KC Accessible For All (MKCA) is a website that provides information on accessible places, events, and activities in the Kansas City area and beyond.

Categories:

• Summer Camps

• Sports & Recreational

• Social

• Sensory Friendly

• Inclusive Fashions

• Inclusive Businesses

• Parent/Students Supports

• College Programs

• Transitional Programs

• Planning for the Future

• Social Media Influencers

• Early Intervention

• Personal Care

Important Links:

• MKCA Main Website -- Main website for MKCA. The separate categories are linked across the top of the website.

GoodLife Innovations, Inc. is the parent company of Community Living Opportunities (CLO). The focus of CLO is to provide care in the community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One of CLO's main areas of focus is participating in and being a part of their surrounding neighborhood and community. CLO has a wide range of services to explore, and is also able to provide a targeted case manager (TCM) to help with this process.

Eligibility:

Important Links:

• CLO Main Website -- Main website with a general overview of CLO

• Care Model -- Information about the CLO residential care model

• Day Services -- Information about the adult day services available through CLO

Mosaic of Northeast Kansas is an agency that provides a wide range of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Available Services:

• Day Services

• Employment Skills

• Group Setting

• Medical and Nursing

• Mental and Behavioral Health and Autism Services

• Mosaic at Home

• Supported Living (24/7)

• Targeted Case Management (TCM)

Important Links:

• Mosaic of Northeast KS Main Website -- Main website with a general overview of Mosaic of Northeast KS. There is a section with contact information on this page as well.

St. Magdalena is a local adult day service agency for individuals with disabilities. St. Magdalena believes in teaching and supporting independence through setting measurable, attainable goals.

Important Links:

• St Magdalena's Main Website -- Main website with a general overview of St. Magdalena. Contact information for this agency is available on the right-hand side.

The Technology Assisted (TA) waiver through HCBS is funding for a person aged 0-21 who relies on a ventilator or medical device to compensate for the loss of vital bodily function. This person must also require nursing services to sustain life.

Eligibility:

• Be between 0 and 21 years of age;

• Meet the HCBS Technology Assisted Program definition;

• Require one or more of the identified primary medical technology(ies) and meet the minimum technology score for the specified age group;

• Meet the minimum nursing acuity level of care threshold for the specified age group;

• Be financially eligible for Medicaid.

Important Links:

• Technology Assisted (TA) Main Website -- Main website with a general overview and application information for the TA waiver

Special Olympics is an organization that provides sporting events and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics also has Unified Sports, which partners an individual with intellectual disabilities with a non-disabled peer in athletic competition.

Eligibility:

• Aged 8 years or older and;

• Have an intellectual disability

Important Links:

• KS Special Olympics Main Website -- Main website for KS Special Olympics with contact and competition information.

The Golden Scoop is a local business that is operated by individuals with developmental disabilities. All of the ice cream sold here is made from scratch by Golden Scoop employees. The employees of The Golden Scoop are also full participants in the merchandising and marketing of the business.

Important Links:

• The Golden Scoop Main Website -- Main website with a general overview of The Golden Scoop. There is also information on ways you can support and participate in this business.