Background and Development
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Prior to the initiation of the Transition to College program at College of San Mateo, few if any special services or accommodations were being offered to persons with psychological disabilities attending community college in California, although access to these accommodations and services was mandated by law under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. This was in part a result of the fact that "psychological disability" was omitted from state categorical funding for disabled students until December 1992, providing community colleges no economic incentive to serve students with mental illnesses, and in part due to the perception that this population is too sick, disruptive or academically unskilled to succeed in higher education. In 1990, a growing mental health consumer movement in San Mateo County began to focus on the lack of supportive services for the psychologically disabled at local community colleges and a coalition of consumer groups approached the San Mateo County Community College District to request the development of services and programs. Faced with budget reductions and lack of state categorical funding for this population, college administration could not immediately fund new programs, but offered to meet with the groups on an on-going basis to pool resources and seek outside funding to expand services and develop programs. In Spring 1991, the college, assisted by and in cooperation with this coalition, applied for and received funding from the State Chancellor's Office to develop a model service site for students with psychological disabilities at College of San Mateo. As a model service site, the college was instrumental in changing state categorical funding policies to include students with psychological disabilities. Since the completion of its responsibilities as a model service site in 1992, Transition to College has become an established part of College of San Mateo's Special Programs and Services division. ResearchIn addition to serving as a model site for the State Chancellor's Office, Transition to College has twice served as a research site for nationwide studies on supported education: 1991-1994, Boston University; 1995-1998, University of Arizona. AwardsThe program has received recognition through the following awards: Pyramid Award for Outstanding Achievement in Student Development, awarded by the Interassociation Group, a coalition of three national Student Services Student Development organization; presented at an Interassociation Conference which focused on national priorities for the 90's held in Chicago, Illinois in October 1992; Recognition Award for "Outstanding Dedication, Effort and Support to those with Mental Illness and their Families", awarded by the San Mateo chapter of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill, April 1993; A.J. Russell Kent Award, from the San Mateo County School Boards Association, April 1994; and semifinalist in the Ford Foundation's 1994 Innovations Awards. Fact Sheet on Supported Education Advice for Mental Health Practitioners Collaboration with Community Agencies |
