The College Experience Program

Living Resources is an Albany, New York-based, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote and provide life enhancing services to individuals with disabilities in a safe and secure environment. In the fall of 2005, Living Resources and The College of Saint Rose launched the College Experience Program, a two-year certificate program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that creates new life opportunities for the students in the program.

The College Experience Program provides individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as the Saint Rose students and faculty working closely with them, with real-life experience, perhaps not otherwise available to them. Choices for individuals with developmental disabilities who aged out of school traditionally have been limited to day programs or supported employment.

The College Experience Program at The College of Saint Rose offers a curriculum designed to foster independence and encourage students with developmental disabilities to explore areas of interest both professionally and socially. The program’s main goals are for each student in the program to be ready to enjoy independent living (with or without assistance), and to be employed in a chosen field upon completion of the two-year certificate program.

Students in the College Experience Program have a required course of study and electives. They live in supported apartments close to the College campus. While the students receive residential habilitation support from Living Resources, College Experience Program students are exposed to all that the College campus has to offer. Students in the program have access to the amenities offered to all students at The College of Saint Rose. All students in the program must be recommended to the College by Living Resources (www.livingresources.org).