STEP UP - College Prep Summer Program for youth with ASD

For the 4th year, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is pleased to be partnering with the University of Maine to offer STEP UP – a college prep summer program for upper-level high school students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. We are very excited to be back on campus after two summers of offering the program virtually. STEP UP will run from July 11-August 12.
 
This year we are focusing on a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) themed program. We have a great in-person 3- credit introduction to STEM course that the students will be taking (INT 188 see attached course flyer), an associated Project-Based Learning Paid Work Experience, and of course 5 weeks of living in the dorm and eating in the café. Janet May from the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies and Dr. Josh Taylor, UMaine Asst. Professor of Special Education will be offering College Prep Seminars. There will also be a day of PEERS® Bootcamp for social skill development with UMaine Autism expert Dr. Sarah Howorth and VR staff.
 
Janet May and I will be starting very soon to schedule informational interviews with interested youth and families. We expect to enroll approximately 10 youth. If you have someone who could benefit from this opportunity – please share the flyer and/or pass along their contact information to me. We expect that slots will fill quickly!
 
As a reminder – there is no cost to youth or families to participate.