What is the College to Career Program?

The College to Career Program is a program designed to help students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism obtain employment in the community in the career area of their choice. C2C is a three-year program culminating in competitive paid employment in Sonoma County for participating students. As part of the program, students take classes in career search strategies and development, basic skills development, campus and community resources, communication, success at work, and Career Technical Education (the student’s area of interest). Students also have access to support for study skills, organization, planning, accessing campus resources, searching for and applying for jobs and volunteer opportunities, and tutoring.


What is the mission of the C2C Program?

To create and promote Career and Technical Education opportunities that lead to gainful employment for students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism in postsecondary education.


Who is appropriate to participate in the C2C Program?

The C2C program serves students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism.

The most prepared applicants for the C2C Program will have:

  • Work history
  • Motivation to work
  • Motivation to attend college
  • Behavior appropriate for college and work environments
  • Social Skills
  • Interpersonal Communication Skills
  • Good hygiene
  • Familiarity with one’s own disability
  • Good attendance records

What does it mean to have an intellectual disability?

As defined by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), an intellectual disability is characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. This disability originates before the age of 18. Intellectual disability is the currently preferred term for the disability historically referred to as ‘mental retardation’. Having a learning disability does not qualify you as a person with an intellectual disability.


If an individual is not a consumer of a Regional Center,  can they still qualify for the C2C Program?

NO. Any applicant to the C2C Program must already be a consumer of a Regional Center prior to applying for C2C.


If an individual is not a consumer of the Department of Rehabilitation,  can they qualify for the C2C Program?

YES. An individual can apply for the C2C Program if they are willing to become a client of the Department of Rehabilitation.


Where can I learn more about the application process?

Contact us to add your name to the invite list for C2C Information Night, or click on "Apply for C2C" on the menu bar. Call (707) 522-2807 or email  c2c@santarosa.edu.


What does the three-year plan look like? What classes do students take?

The "Program Overview" is a basic outline of the C2C three year plan. In addition to C2C program classes, students will take classes specific to their career area of interest. Students will work with C2C staff and their disability specialist to design a class schedule appropriate for their individual needs, abilities, and interests.


How many students are in a cohort?

About 20 students will start each fall as part of a C2C cohort.


What are the benefits of using a cohort-based program?

There are many benefits to the cohort component of the program:

  • Students are able to develop relationships with their C2C peers and form a network of support.
  • Students to get oriented to the campus and campus resources together.
  • Students learn about and incorporate the use of study strategies, academic accommodations, and student services on campus BEFORE entering their chosen area of study.
  • DRD/C2C staff are also teaching in the program, allowing for time to teach students how to implement accommodations and work on advocacy skills in the classroom
  • C2C staff are learning about potential support needs for students, as well as basic skills issues and how to support students in actively using student services
  • Staff are able to see if students can incorporate strategies for success in college in “real life” and generalize them across classes and intervene if they cannot.

What is expected of the students in the program?

Please see the Student Commitments to see what is expected of students in the program. Students read and sign this document at the beginning of the first semester.


How much time should I expect to dedicate to the program?

During the first semester, students can expect to be on campus from about 9am to about 3pm Monday through Thursday. After the first semester, students’ schedules will vary much more based on the individual. The College to Career Program is a full-time commitment; students cannot be enrolled in C2C and another program at the same time.


Is there homework?

During the first semester, students will not have a lot of homework. After the first semester, The amount of homework you have depends on the classes you take. The basic formula for calculating the amount of time you should spend studying outside of class is: 2-3 hours outside of class for every 1 credit unit of class you are taking. For example, if you are take a 3 unit credit class, you can expect to spend 6-9 hours each week studying for that class outside of the class itself.


Can I work and be a C2C student at the same time?

This depends on the student. Some students who enter the C2C program have a part time job or volunteer on a regular basis and are able to balance these commitments with their school schedule. Some students prefer to focus on school for the first year and not work during this time. During the second year, students will begin to gain some work/volunteer experience in connection with the program.


Will someone be with me while I'm on campus (like an aide or an attendant)?

The C2C program does not provide aides or attendants for students. Students are expected to get around campus and attend classes independently. However, many resources are available for students to learn their way around campus, including campus orientations and the DRD 390.1 Independent Living Skills course students take during their first semester.


What commitments can students expect from C2C program faculty and staff?

As C2C program staff and faculty, we commit to:

  • Provide individualized planning/instruction
  • Communicate with students and their family members (as appropriate) about needs, issues, challenges and progress
  • Work closely with each student to identify their needs, interests, skills and goals
  • Monitor and support each student’s educational and employment plans
  • Meet with students, families, instructors and staff as needed
  • Work to challenge each student appropriately
  • Provide supports in classroom and in the workplace

What is expected of parents/family members/support providers of students in the program?

Support Provider Commitments 

Support providers read and sign this document at the beginning of the first semester. Most importantly, support providers must understand the differences between educational rights in high school and college. Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), the student (unless conserved) is the primary contact for all communication for school matters.

Click on the following link to learn more about FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act


What is the cost of the program?

There is no cost to participate in the C2C Program itself. However, enrollment fees, a health service fee, and books and supplies represent some costs associated with going to college. Students have many options for paying for college, including the BOG fee waiver.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your options and eligibility.


Does C2C provide transportation?

NO. The C2C program provides neither transportation nor transportation training. Students are expected to arrange their own transportation to and from school and work.

ACCESS  STARTS  HERE.