Boise State students in the Providing Exceptional Education and Raising Standards (PEERS) program are set to receive more dedicated employment support with funding from the U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services.
The funds are part of a $7.8 million grant that benefits multiple Idaho institutions of higher education that house programs for college-aged students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The grant provides for a statewide coordinator to oversee job integration specialists at the institutions, as well as job coaches to provide on-the-job support.
According to Jeremy Ford, associate professor in special education and PEERS program director, PEERS students are employed in a variety of jobs in the service and technical industries.
“Though the students learn job skills and gain competency in the program, they and their employers will benefit from the additional support,” Ford said. “We want the students to stay employed, have good experiences and be able to advance in their jobs.”
Students in the PEERS program earn a Certificate in Community and Career Readiness Studies. The program, and similar programs at other universities, give young adults with learning and developmental disabilities the opportunity to earn college credit and build life skills while attending on and off-campus activities with others in the program.