Post-Secondary Program for Students with IDD

Notes from August 18th - Mike & Terri Kern - St. Joseph Cupertino Program

• St. Joseph Cupertino Program at Benedictine College
• Named for St. Joseph of Cupertino, patron saint of intellectual developmental disabilities

Program Details:

• Max 8 students: 2 per grade
• Students receive a certificate of completion, not a degree
• Students attend classes in an "audit" capacity at the audit rate
• After first semester, students can choose to continue in program or pursue a full degree
• Students choose a major area interesting to them that will help with meaningful work after completion
• Students live in typical dorms — not segregated

Peer Mentor Model:

• Academic Peer Mentor: 4-6 hrs/week
• Wellness Peer Mentor: 1 hr/week — hygiene, nutrition, exercise
• Social Peer Mentor: 1 hr/week — club enrollment, social life
• Mentors are paid through work study, typically Education or Special Ed majors

Other Support:

• Student success center available on demand
• Director meets regularly with the student's teachers
• 2 or 4 year program
• Students pay room & board + audit fee (no scholarships currently since not degree-seeking)
• Admin working on supplementary Medicaid funding

How to Apply:

• Student must be able to live on their own (no nighttime check-ins)
• Large paper application focused on student's needs
• Student interviews with panel (parents NOT included)
• Purpose is to ensure the University can provide a safe environment

Why Consider It:

• If your child is adamant about attending college
• Safe environment to own their independence and build self-confidence
• A great way to give "Dignity of Risk" with a safety net — a concept emphasized by Bridget Murphy and Amy Allison