For information, contact:

Jeff Ross, Coordinator Student Support Services 661.763.7776 jross@taftcollege.edu	Sandy Popejoy, Director 661.763.7773 spopejoy@taftcollege.edu	Kathy Evarts, Intake Coordinator 661.763.7775 kevarts@taftcollege.edu

About the Program

The Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL) is a post-secondary experience for developmentally disabled adults emphasizing learning independent living skills.  The program stresses the importance of teaching people to accept responsibility for decisions and choices they make.

The program occupies 28 rooms in the Seventh Street residence hall, one of two residence halls on the Taft Community College campus and a 4-bedroom house in the community.

TIL began in August 1995, with funding from Kern Regional Center.  The college serves as the sponsoring agency.  TC has had programs and special classes serving individuals with developmental disabilities since 1976.

Staff for the TIL program includes a program coordinator, assistant to the coordinator, program director, director's assistant, instructors, instructional "life skills" aides, transition specialist, and security personnel.

Instructional hours are from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through  Friday. A Community Integration Program is run on the weekends. The program is staffed seven days a week.

Students are responsible for paying a dorm rental fee which includes meals served in the Taft College cafeteria and all utilities except telephone.  Each dorm room is supplied with a single bed, a dresser, storage area, and a desk.   Students are encouraged to decorate their rooms for comfort and style.

Referrals

Participants for the program are selected from referrals made primarily by California Regional Centers, the Department of Rehabilitation, and high schools.  Guidelines for making a referral are available from the TIL Program Coordinator or the Intake Coordinator.

Requirements for Entry

The following criteria is used to determine acceptance of a student into the program:

1. The student should have a commitment to live independently upon completion of the TIL program.
2. Motivation and eagerness to learn.
3. Income equivalent to SSI's minimum rate for independent living.
4. Physically able to engage in activities and complete tasks within the time frame allowed by the program.  Anyone physically disabled must be able to use a minimally modified dormitory.
5. Ability to receive information and instruction from staff and provide responses and feedback when necessary.
6. Acceptable social behavior verified by agency, school, or family.  Included is the ability to get along with peers, follow rules, accept supervision, and have no history of illegal activity.
7. Ability to act as own guardian.
8. Completion of a high school  or learning resource program.
9. Completed and mailed application that supplies requested information.

Evaluation

An applicant who meets the requirements for entry will be scheduled for an on-site evaluation.  During the evaluation, applicants may be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of various independent living skills such as: following directions, cooking, menu planning, and budgeting.

The purpose of the evaluation interview is to help discover the applicant's motivation level, response to instructions, acceptance of supervision, ability to relate to others, and potential for graduating from the program.

The TIL program does not accept the following:

1. Physically or mentally disabled adults who require attendant care for housekeeping or personal needs.
2. Those under age 18.
3. Those who historically have been a danger to themselves or others.

You may contact the program coordinator if there are any questions regarding the potential acceptability of an individual.

Applicants will be notified within one month after the on-site evaluation if they have been accepted into the Taft College TIL Program.  A letter of acceptance will be sent to the student.  Applicants not accepted may be reevaluated at a later date.

Instruction

Upon admission to the TIL Program, the student moves into a residence hall room and begin learning independent living skills.  The students participate in the program an average of 22 months.  The program runs from August 1 through June 30.  All students have a 90 day probation period.

Staff works with each student to establish realistic long-range and short-range goals.  Individual Program Plans (IPP's) are then written to assist students in attaining these goals.

Instruction is offered in the following areas:

Meal PreparationMoney ManagementShoppingHousekeeping
Use of AppliancesSafety CommunicationTransportation
Personal CareInterpersonal Relationships

Graduation

Students are eligible for graduation when they complete the required course work and independently demonstrate the learned skills.  At that time, the TIL staff assists graduated students in transitioning into an independent living situation in their home community.  The TIL program tracks all of our graduates for a 10 year period to measure outcomes of the students and the program.

LINKS TO OTHER SITES

• TIL Orientation Video
• Kern Regional Center
• Parents Helping Parents
• Taft CA
• Taft College
• TIL Vocational Department

Link to
TIL Photo Album        Student Success Services