# Transition to Adulthood & Employment — Post-Secondary Education (Benedictine Cupertino)

Mike and Terri Kern started the [St. Joseph Cupertino Program](https://www.benedictine.edu/academics/success/cupertino) at Benedictine College for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Named for [St. Joseph of Cupertino](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_of_Cupertino), patron saint of intellectual developmental disabilities — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

**Program Details:**

- Max 8 students: 2 per grade — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Students receive a **certificate of completion**, not a degree — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Students attend classes in an "audit" capacity at the audit rate — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- After first semester, students can choose to continue in program or pursue a full degree — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Students choose a major area interesting to them that will help with meaningful work after completion — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Students live in typical dorms — not segregated — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

**Peer Mentor Model:**

- **Academic Peer Mentor:** 4-6 hrs/week — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- **Wellness Peer Mentor:** 1 hr/week — hygiene, nutrition, exercise — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- **Social Peer Mentor:** 1 hr/week — club enrollment, social life — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Mentors are paid through work study, typically Education or Special Ed majors — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

**Other Support:**

- Student success center available on demand — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Director meets regularly with the student's teachers — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- 2 or 4 year program — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Students pay room & board + audit fee (no scholarships currently since not degree-seeking) — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Admin working on supplementary Medicaid funding — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

**How to Apply:**

- Student must be able to live on their own (no nighttime check-ins) — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Large paper application focused on student's needs — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Student interviews with panel (parents NOT included) — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Purpose is to ensure the University can provide a safe environment — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

**Why Consider It:**

- If your child is adamant about attending college — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- Safe environment to own their independence and build self-confidence — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

- A great way to give "[Dignity of Risk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dignity_of_risk)" with a safety net — a concept emphasized by Bridget Murphy and Amy Allison — *[Mike & Terri Kern, Aug 2024](/sessions/20240818_Kern_Benedictine_Cupertino/notes.md)*

**JCCC Supported Education Programs:**

- [JCCC CLEAR & CONNECT](https://www.jccc.edu/community-resources/supported-education-programs/) offer continuing education and transition supports for adults with IDD — *[Sarah Otto, Mar 2026](/sessions/20260315_Sarah_Otto_Case_Management/notes.md)*

- CLEAR provides noncredit continuing education focused on independent living skills and enrichment — *[Sarah Otto, Mar 2026](/sessions/20260315_Sarah_Otto_Case_Management/notes.md)*

**Homeschooling & Private School Access:**

- Homeschooled students can still access related services (speech, OT, PT) through their local public school district under IDEA — *[Sarah Otto, Mar 2026](/sessions/20260315_Sarah_Otto_Case_Management/notes.md)*

- Students at private/Catholic high schools who maintain an IEP should be considered for 18-21 transition programs, though specifics vary by district — *[Sarah Otto, Mar 2026](/sessions/20260315_Sarah_Otto_Case_Management/notes.md)*

- Consider enrolling in the public district for at least the last semester of senior year to strengthen access to post-secondary transition programs — *[Sarah Otto, Mar 2026](/sessions/20260315_Sarah_Otto_Case_Management/notes.md)*

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