U.S. Senator Robert Menendez.
PARAMUS, N.J. – A $2.4 million U.S. Education Department grant will enable the expansion of a postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities at Bergen Community College.
“Community colleges have a responsibility to serve the needs of their communities; the ‘Turning Point’ program represents a shining example of the College’s commitment to creating inclusive educational opportunities for local residents with disabilities,” Bergen President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D., said. “Turning Point has helped many young adults achieve their dreams of earning a postsecondary credential. That’s why I was so proud to specifically recognize the program’s graduates at the College’s commencement exercises for the first time this year.”
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Bergen County Executive James Tedesco III, Bergen County Freeholder Vice Chair Steve Tanelli and Bergen County Freeholder Tracy Zur joined President Walter at Bergen’s main campus Oct. 19 to recognize the College during an afternoon news conference.
The grant – officially “Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities 2” (TPSID 2) – will assist in funding the College’s Turning Point program that began under the government’s TPSID 1 initiative in 2010. At that time, Bergen received $2.3 million to develop and lead the Turning Point program at the institution and partner Camden County College. In phase two, Bergen will collaborate with The College of New Jersey. The grant will allow the College to expand community outreach activities for students with intellectual disabilities and broaden opportunities to career pathways leading to industry recognized credentials.
Under the College’s Office of Specialized Services, the Turning Point program admits up to 15 students between 18 and 30 years old for a two-year, non-residential certificate program each year. Focus areas include academic enrichment, building vocational skills and developing self-advocacy, while preparing students for gainful employment and further independence. Vocational skills taught align with high-growth industry sectors identified by the State of New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development such as child development, patient care and hospitality. Turning Point students also participate in internships throughout the region, including positions at the College.
More than 100 students have enrolled in the Turning Point at Bergen. Early program graduates have secured full- and part-time jobs with retail, commercial and municipal employers, while others have chosen to continue their education and pursue associate degrees.
TPSID 2 marks the second major federal grant earned by Bergen this fall. In September, government officials announced the College would receive a $2.6 million “First in the World” grant to fund a research study on new approaches to math remediation. Among 300 applications, the government selected only six U.S. community colleges.
Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls 16,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.