College to Career

College life is about learning, making new friends, and experiencing new things in new places.  At California MENTOR, we believe that everyone should have those opportunities.  That’s why we partner with other human services agencies to offer College to Career, an innovative program that offers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Southern California the chance to get a college education, become more independent and achieve goals that carry them into the future.

Continuing Education for Everyone

College to Career (C2C) is open to adults 22 and older who received a high school diploma.  It is offered by Harbor Regional Center through a partnership between California MENTOR, Long Beach City College, and HOPE Inc.  C2C provides a range of educational and supported living services to help individuals experience all that college life has to offer.

Independent Living Experience

As an experienced provider serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the state, California MENTOR brings our proven supported living services model to the program.  We create Individualized Service Plans and deliver personalized support to help students become more independent in off-campus apartments and in the community.

Students enrolled in C2C live with a roommate in one of three apartment buildings located near the Long Beach City College campus.  We match roommates based on similarities in personality, abilities, hobbies, schedules and other interests.  The apartments—renovated and furnished by HOPE Inc.—are modern, affordable, and come equipped with all the comforts of home.

Each student follows an Individualized Service Plan that is focused on their interests, goals and helping them learn the skills they need to live independently.

These skills include:

• Cooking
• Cleaning
• Meal planning
• Money management
• Homework

• Social skills
• Budgeting
• Shopping
• Safety awareness
• Community living

California MENTOR’s direct support staff is dedicated to assisting students day and night.  We’re there to make sure they get to class and balance a busy college schedule with the experience of living on their own.

Opportunities for Learning

Choosing the right path in college can be difficult, so College to Career makes sure people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have every opportunity to make the right decisions and move in the direction of their goals.  Students in the C2C program have up to four years to obtain an associate’s degree or certification of completion at Long Beach City College.  They can choose from over 100 programs, including:

• Accounting
• Communications
• Culinary Arts

• Film and Audio Production
• Fine Arts
• Horticulture

Long Beach City College requires students to take six college units per semester and provides 20 hours of educational coaching per week.  Students also receive support in:

• Selecting classes
• Buying books
• Managing time
• Participating in campus and community activities

• Taking Notes
• Communicating with teachers
• Financial aid
• Transportation

The program focuses on helping students leave college on a path toward employment.  With assistance from the Department of Rehabilitation, students are able to participate in internships to help them better transition to the working world once they complete their academic programs.

Assistance for College Life

College to Career accepts four to eight students each semester who are eager to succeed in school and become more independent.  Contact your local office for more information on College to Career.