College to Career Program (C2C) 

The mission of the College to Career program is to create and promote Career and Technical Education opportunities leading to gainful employment, for students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism in postsecondary education.

What is the College to Career (C2C) Program?

The College to Career Program is a three-year program designed to help students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism obtain employment in Sonoma County and in the career area of their choice. The C2C program at SRJC is one of eight such programs in the State of California and partners with:

 

Department of Rehabilitation logo

 

State of California Department of Developmental Services

Admission is a competitive process and C2C only accepts about 20 new students annually. Students who seek admission to C2C are required to submit an application and attend an interview with our C2C Coordinator.

The College to Career Program spans three years, culminating in competitive paid employment for students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism. Students take classes as a cohort, as well as participate in college classes and activities individually. Below is an overview of program course offerings and activities. View and print a more detailed overview of the College to Career Program.

YEAR 1:  COLLEGE, COMMUNITY & CAREER SUPPORT EXPLORATION

  • Orientation to Santa Rosa Junior College and its student resources
  • Orientation to and exploration of community resources
  • Career Exploration/identification of employment support needs

YEAR 2:  CAREER AND TECHNICAL TRAINING & WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Development of skills that increase success at work
  • Work experience in at least one Career and Technical area
  • Participation in Career and Technical training courses as is appropriate to students' individual employment goals

YEAR 3:  SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT IN THE COMMUNITY

  • Job training and/or placement in the community related to on campus work experience from year two
  • Participation in Career and Technical Education and training courses as is appropriate to students’ individual employment goals
  • Connect with community vocational support agencies, such as the Department of Rehabilitation

Criteria for C2C Eligibility

C2C is a full-time commitment.

C2C is a competitive program. We only accept new students once a year, for fall semester enrollment. Students enrolled in the C2C Program cannot co-enroll in another program, such as a transition age or supported employment program. C2C is not affiliated with K-12 Special Education services or governed by the IEP process and does not take the place of, or serve as, a transition age program. C2C is not an entitlement program, admission is competitive and determined by application and interview.

Students or families interested in and/or eligible for 18-22 transition services should contact their local school district.

C2C APPLICANTS MUST BE:

  1.  At least 18 years of age at the time of enrollment
  2.  Eligible as an individual with an Intellectual Disability* and/or autism (DDS)  
  3.  A California Department of Rehabilitation client (or eligible to become a Department of Rehabilitation client)
  4.  Able to provide or access transportation to and from SRJC and potential work sites in Sonoma County 
  5.  Able to attend classes, job, and other program related activities regularly 
  6.  Able to abide by SRJC’s Student Code of Conduct 

*An “intellectual disability” is a disability characterized by significant limitations in an individual’s intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills. Students with intellectual disabilities are capable of learning and working, but they may need support and specialized training. Students with intellectual disabilities who attend college are 26 times more likely to be successfully employed, and earn 76 percent higher wages than their peers with no college experience.

students most qualified to participate in C2C also have:

  1.  Motivation to work and attend college
  2.  A desire to obtain permanent, paid employment
  3.  A minimum of six months of work, volunteer, or internship experience
  4.  The ability to function on a college campus independently
  5.  A history of meeting behavioral and attendance expectations of past employment, training, or educational programs.
  6.  A commitment to spending, on average, 20 hours per week devoted to school related to activities, such as:
    • Classes
    • Homework
    • Accessing support services (tutoring, counseling, financial aid, seminars, etc.)
    • Meetings with program staff
    • Participating in extracurricular activities (theater productions, athletic events, clubs, etc.)

for more information:

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