Special Programs - 35 Ventura College Catalog 2005-2006 Community Education The Community Education Program extends the educational, cultural, and recreational programs of Ventura College by offering short-term classes, workshops, lectures, tours and other events which enrich the lives of individuals in our community. All Community Education events are noncredit and must be supported by fees, tuition, and other charges. No tax revenues of any sort support the Community Education Program. For information or to register for Community Education classes, please call (805) 654- 6459 or visit www.venturacollege.edu and click on Community and Contract Education. CIVIC CENTER (FACILITY RENTALS) The Community Education Office also coordinates the use of college facilities by off-campus organizations as authorized by the Civic Center Act. For information about facility usage, please call (805) 654-6400, ext. 2232. Both the Community Education Office and the Civic Center Office are located in the Ventura College Institute for Community and Professional Development (ICPD) located at 71 Day Road. Customized Services to Agencies / Vocational Programs Businesses and organizations can access world-class, cost efficient training through the Ventura College Institute for Community and Professional Development. Sample programs include Preventing Sexual Harassment, Supervisory Skills Training, Workplace Spanish, Dealing with Difficult People, Microsoft Access, Excel, Powerpoint, and many others. For additional information or to request a free catalog, please call (805) 648-8904. East Campus (805) 525-7136 Offices: 115 Dean Drive, Suite A, Santa Paula Classrooms: 105-107 Dean Drive, Santa Paula Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Ventura College East Campus offers an extensive English-as-a- Second Language (ESL) program as well as a wide variety of general education and vocational classes and programs at the Dean Drive location and at the local high schools. The vocational programs include computer office assistant, CNA training, medical assisting, and child development. The general education courses meet graduation and transfer requirements for students who are working toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. The ESL classes help students whose first language is not English acquire the speaking, reading, and writing skills needed to function at work, in college, and in the community. The East Campus has a complete Learning Resource Center. The Center offers all Ventura College students extensive library and tutorial services as well as access to computers for word processing, textbook related materials, research, Internet access, and specialized tutorials in math, reading, and English. In addition, the East Campus offers student services such as counseling, registration, assessment testing, and an Internet Café to all Ventura College students. Call 525-7136 for more information. SPECIAL PROGRAMS Educational Assistance Center The Educational Assistance Center promotes the educational and vocational potential of students with disabilities through their integration into the mainstream of college life. Students with mobility, learning, visual, hearing, communication and psychological disabilities, as well as acquired brain injuries and other health impairments, are eligible to apply for the support services that are needed to fully participate in the educational process. Services offered include academic, vocational, disability-related and personal counseling, assessment of learning skills, handicapped parking permits, mobility assistance, classroom accommodations, and early one-stop registration at the Educational Assistance Center. In addition to courses offered by the Learning Skills Program and Assistive Technology Training Center, special courses are available in visual impairments, job seeking skills and adapted physical education. Accommodations provided for students in mainstream classes include alternative testing, tutoring, notetakers, sign language interpreters, alternate media, assistive devices, mobility assistance, assistive technology, college and classroom materials in alternate formats, and other accommodations based on the functional limitations caused by the student’s disability. The Educational Assistance Center is located in the FL building. For information, call (805) 654-6300; (805) 642-4583 (TTD). Assistive Technology Training Center for Students with Disabilities The Assistive Technology Training Center (ATTC) is designed to teach all students with disabilities about the latest in computer access devices and instructional software, including speech synthesizers, screen enlargers, adapted keyboards, voice-input systems, text to speech software, Braille printers and adapted word processing programs. The ATTC is located on the first floor of the Learning Resources Center. The ATTC is staffed by specially trained instructors and aides. Students can register for a variety of classes in Assistive Computer Technology. Some open lab hours are also available. For further information, phone (805) 654-6415 or TTY (805) 642-4583. Learning Skills Program Students who have a history of delayed academic achievement, or have had a great deal of difficulty mastering basic skills, may wish to inquire about the special services provided by the Learning Skills Program. An assessment of learning skills can be administered to determine whether a student qualifies for extra academic support services and/or special instruction in the Learning Skills courses. The program emphasizes individualized instruction, teaching to the dominant learning style and allowing the student to learn at his or her own pace. Special classes in reading, writing, math, study skills, memory power, creative thinking, visualization and perception, learning strategies, vocabulary building, spelling improvement and personal development are offered. For further information or an appointment for a learning assessment screening, call the Educational Assistance Center at (805) 654-6300. 36 - Special Programs Ventura College Catalog 2005-2006 International Students Program The International Studies Office assists about 200 International Students attending under an F-1 Visa (Student Visa). Our program is represented by students from many countries around the world: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Germany, Japan, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Russia, Slovenia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania and many more. This office is responsible for assisting students with admission and transfer requirements, assessment, orientation, housing, academic advising, social security, banks, income tax and driver’s licences. In additional, we assist students with immigration related matters including: SEVIS, I-20 form, Visas, passports, change of status, extensions of stay and employment authorization. International students must meet the following application deadlines: Fall semester: June 15; Spring semester: November 15; Summer session: April 15. If you have any questions, please contact the International Students Office, (805) 654-6313. MESA The Mathematics, Science, Engineering Achievement (MESA) California Community College Program (CCCP) is an academic program designed to encourage educationally disadvantaged community college students to excel in math, engineering and science so they can transfer to four-year institutions as majors in these fields. MESA CCCP Centers are located on community college campuses throughout the state and serve over 3,000 students. The program is a collaboration between MESA and the California Community College Chancellor's Office. The MESA CCCP model for Ventura College was established in 2000. Call (805) 654-6337 for information. Middle College Academy Ventura College, in partnership with specific area high schools, offers a Middle College Academy that allows motivated high school students to attend college classes while still in high school. Middle College Academy programs have been adopted by participating high schools and community colleges throughout the country, allowing high school students to earn college credit, explore career options and take advanced courses not offered on the high school campus. Call the Middle College Academy at (805) 654-6321 for more information on participating high schools and enrollment in the program. Spring 2005 graduates State of California Department of Rehabilitation Assistance The State of California Department of Rehabilitation (DR) provides assistance for the vocational training and placement of individuals with physical or mental disabilities. Emphasis is on serving individuals with the most severe disabilities. WHAT ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED? The DR may provide financial assistance for tuition, books, supplies and transportation relating to vocational training. There is no fee for services provided. WHO CAN RECEIVE ASSISTANCE? Eligibility for DR services is determined by the DR office and is based on the existence of a physical or mental disability that results in a substantial impediment to employment. Apply to the State of California Department of Rehabilitation; 1304 E. Main St., Suite A, Ventura, 93003; 1701 Pacific Avenue, Suite 120, Oxnard, 93033 or 325 E. Hillcrest Drive, Suite 140, Thousand Oaks, 91360. A Department of Rehabilitation counselor is also available for appointments on campus in the Educational Assistance Center Office on a periodic basis. Call (805) 654-6300 for an appointment. The Department of Rehabilitation in collaboration with EAC offer a Workability III program for DR clients/students to provide assistance with seeking employment. Training Through the Workforce Investment Act and Private Rehabilitation Ventura College is committed to serving special student populations, referred by local, county, state, federal and private agencies. Examples include students who are referred through the Business and Employment Services Division of the County of Ventura (BESD), which administers the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), as well as those referred through private rehabilitation firms. The College provides support services which include assistance with registration, assessment, counseling, financial aid, and customized vocational planning. For more information about BESD, the WIA, or customized training, please call the Ventura Institute for Community and Professional Development at (805) 648-8904.