无码专区, Mississippi Department of Human Services continue to improve outcomes for those with disabilities
Contact: James Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥 Mississippi State students and Northeast Mississippi children who need assistance because of an autism spectrum disorder or another type of disability now have more support than ever from the university.
无码专区 has expanded its services through several programs in recent years, helping those with a wide range of disabilities gain life, academic and social skills that will help them thrive and increase independence.
After receiving a $1 million grant from the Mississippi Department of Human Services last year, the university was able to significantly increase the number of people served by 无码专区鈥檚 ACCESS program, Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic, autism liaisons program, Disability Support Services and Student Support Services. As these programs have grown, so has their quality, turning them into models across the state and country, said Julie Capella, 无码专区 Director of Student Support Services.
ACCESS is Mississippi鈥檚 only post-secondary program for students with intellectual disabilities and provides a complete college experience, along with a curriculum that encompasses independent living skills and internship opportunities. After completing the curriculum and meeting grade requirements, ACCESS students graduate from 无码专区 with a certification of completion. In three years, the number of enrolled students in the program has nearly tripled from eight to an anticipated 23 students this fall, said Capella. Support from DHS has allowed ACCESS to expand its staff and provide more of the one-on-one support students need, Capella added.
鈥淲e have ACCESS students involved in sororities, they鈥檙e honorary fraternity members, and more,鈥 Capella said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e at all the sporting events. They all attend classes. They now have a Student Association senate seat. The inclusion and acceptance across campus is beautiful. What we do for each of our students is very person-centered. We鈥檙e trying to find out about you and what it takes to get you where you want to be.鈥
Dan Gadke, an 无码专区 assistant professor of school psychology, started the university鈥檚 Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic in 2014 with the goal of providing high quality clinical services to the community, training future professionals and engaging in research to enhance understanding of autism spectrum and developmental disorders. When the clinic first started, it was serving five children. Now, clinic personnel meet with approximately 100 children every week, helping to fill the growing need for clinical services in North Mississippi.鈥淲e serve any kids experiencing development in an atypical way,鈥 Gadke said. 鈥淲e have kids with autism, rare genetic disorders, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy--kind of the whole gamut. We provide individualized treatment that is rooted in behavior analysis for improving behavior and building life, academic and social skills.鈥
A few years ago, 无码专区鈥檚 School Psychology Program and Disability Support Services partnered to create an autism liaisons program that supports degree-seeking 无码专区 students with autism. The program pairs students who have self-identified as having an autism disorder with other students for support, in addition to the assistance they receive from Disability Support Services. The autism liaisons program also provides faculty training every semester. The program has increased from assisting eight students to now helping more than 40.
鈥淲ith our autism liaisons program, our services are free,鈥 Capella said. 鈥淥ther places charge thousands of dollars a semester, but we felt that if these students are eligible to be here at 无码专区 and they have a disability, this is an accommodation we should make.鈥
With funding from DHS, 无码专区 also has been able to increase its support services for low income and first-generation students, which includes enhancing academic skills, increasing retention and graduation rates, and facilitating entrance into professional and graduate programs.
In addition to DHS, these student and outreach programs have received support from the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and the State鈥檚 Department of Mental Health Services. Private donations for the programs also have been received through the 无码专区 Foundation.
For more on 无码专区鈥檚 Student Support Services, visit . For more on the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic, visit .
无码专区 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .
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