Inclusive Post-secondary Education Funding from Georgia Legislature (CLD GA UCEDD)
April 24, 2014
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The Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) and the Georgia Inclusive Post-secondary Education Consortium (GAIPSEC) are pleased to announce that the state legislature has allocated an additional $100,000 in funds for inclusive Post-secondary Education (PSE) programs at Georgia colleges and universities for FY 2015. The funds will be used to support existing programs and increase the number of college opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state.
In FY 2014 the legislature awarded $100,000 to fund continued work at the Academy for Inclusive Learning at Kennesaw State University Academy and for an implementation grant to East Georgia State College. Funds were also awarded to GAIPSEC by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), and the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) to fund implementation grants to The University of Georgia's Fanning Institute and Columbus State University, feasibility grants, training and technical assistance for inclusive post-secondary education. The additional $100,000 means that there is now $200,000 allocated to inclusive post-secondary education in Georgia for FY 2015.
Universities were chosen for their demonstrated capacity in planning, providing and evaluating inclusive environments, adult learning, and participant-direction. These universities also have proven knowledge of formal and informal supports and services for adult learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Susanna Miller, GAIPSEC Project Manager at CLD says, "These programs provide the opportunity for young adults to study and fully participate in college life alongside their peers. We are excited by the continued support of PSE in Georgia and look forward to its continued growth. With the additional funding, we will now be able to grow and support this initiative in Georgia. "
The Georgia Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Consortium is a project of the Center for Leadership in Disability and seeks to create opportunities for students who have historically not had access to post-secondary educational opportunities. Members of the Consortium are committed to providing information and training resources for individuals, families, colleges & universities, and agencies to achieve the goal of inclusive PSE opportunities for all.
The Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State is one of 67 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services across the country. Since 2008, it has been housed within the Center for Healthy Development, part of the School of Public Health at Georgia State. Its mission is to translate research into sustainable community practices that contribute to independent, self-determined, inclusive, and productive lives for people with disabilities and their families.
For more information on inclusive post-secondary education visit http://gaipsec.org.
