The Turning Point Program at Bergen Community College :

Is a two-year vocationally tracked learning experience for students with intellectual disabilities at Bergen Community College. The goal of the program is to provide an inclusive post-secondary experience promoting educational, social and vocational skill development that leads to competitive integrated employment upon program completion.

The program utilizes person-centered planning, curriculum modules and work based learning designed to assist students in job exploration and to foster career awareness. Students work closely with peer mentors, academic counselors and career mentors to develop workplace readiness skills including training in workplace soft skills, self-advocacy and self determination.

Students enroll in career pathway-credentialing courses developed from labor market statistics to meet the needs of NJ’s in demand occupations.

Career Pathway Credentialing Courses offered in Semesters 3 & 4:

Healthcare Dietary Aide: Provides knowledge of the health professional environment, safe food handling, principals of nutrition and customer  care (90 hours).

Hospitality & Retail: Explores industry fundamentals, business of retail, customer focus, selling, communications and needed industry soft skills (90 hours).

Child Development Associate (CDA): 15 lesson modules to prepare for certification exam and for caring for and monitoring children ages infant to 5 (190 hours).

Certified Logistics & Manufacturing: Provides foundational knowledge of supply chain logistics and Good Manufacturing Practices to prepare for jobs in material handling and production (90 hours).

Office Technology: Covers concepts and technologies associated with managing electronic records and additional technology fundamentals for the office professional (90 hours).

Semester I: 72 hours of work-based learning during non-paid on campus internships. Career Ed I: Work place Readiness training and Soft Skill Development. Person Centered Planning-Interest & Vocational Inventories-Sexual Harassment Training-Workplace Safety.

Success I: (self-advocacy, skills for organization as well as time and self-management).

Semester II: 72 hours of work-based learning during non-paid on campus internships. Career Ed II: Work place Readiness training and Soft Skill Development. Skills for Job Seeking, Resume Writing Cover Letter Writing, Interview Skills, Informational Interviews and Formal Interview Training.

Success II: (self-advocacy, skills for organization as well as time and self-management).

Semester III: Career Pathway Course Off-Campus supported Internship (hours vary while enrolled in coursework). Workplace tours. Career Ed III: Work place Readiness. Networking, Job seeking, Interview Skills, Disability Disclosure & Accommodations, Informational Interviews, Formal Interview Training, Travel Training.

Semester IV: Career Pathway Course Off-Campus Supported Internships (120 hours minimum) Workplace Tours. Career Ed IV: Work place Readiness, Personal Career Resource, File/Portfolio development, Formal Interview Training Travel training, Linkages to paid employment opportunities, Linkages to support agencies.

Additional Services and Opportunities Available to students throughout the 4-Semester program:

Job shadowing & Sampling (on-campus & community-based internships)-Job coaching (2 job coaches on staff & additional contracted for year-two internships)-Service Learning, Ongoing collaboration with DVR Counselors-Job Development & Career Placement-Access to Campus Career Center and College Central Database-Benefits Counseling-Information Sessions presenting career pathway programs and NJ employment outcomes-Internship Opportunities through corporate partnership agreements-Peer Mentors-Career Mentorship and Counseling (one on one and group settings)-Career Speakers-STEM Union Partnership Project (team collaboration includes competitive project)-Social and Interpersonal Development through Mentoring program-Participation in campus clubs and activities-Supports available through the Office of Disability Services.

Disclaimer: This information was taken directly from the Bergen Community College Turning Point Program pamphlet and I give them full credit for the information. Please call the college at the above numbers for more information on the program. I have no opinion either yes or no to how good it is as I have never used it.