Beginning in the 2019–20 academic year, UT will establish a pilot program to assess and evaluate the feasibility of access to university housing by FUTURE program students. Currently FUTURE is a nonresidential vocational certificate program for young adults with developmental and intellectual disability.
Students take FUTURE classes, have the opportunity to audit undergraduate courses, and are placed in a work-based internship on or off campus. They also have access to career and clinical counseling to help develop academic, vocational, social, and decision-making skills.
“The goal of the residential pilot program is to provide FUTURE students additional opportunities to learn and practice skills to further their independence,” said David Cihak, interim associate dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. “It aims to give FUTURE students the full campus experience.”
The residential pilot program will be available to up to 25 percent of the students in the FUTURE program and is subject to housing availability. It will be open to students who have been enrolled in FUTURE for at least one year. FUTURE staff will administer an evaluation to prospective residents.
Students selected for the pilot program will have access to the traditional components of university housing, including amenities, a resident assistant, and all university services provided to admitted, undergraduate students who reside in campus housing.
The university will evaluate the pilot program’s success by March 1, 2021.
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CONTACT:
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)
Jules Morris (865-974-8916, julesmo@utk.edu)