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Special Services - Occupational Training Commonly Asked Questions
Introduction
The Occupational Training Program is designed for students who are disabled, but with appropriate training, are able to obtain positions in competitive employment. Class sizes are small and emphasis is on the completion of skills necessary to obtain and keep employment. The program is based around three semesters of training—Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions. Graduation ceremonies for students who complete programs are scheduled at the end of July and students receive their Certificates of Occupational Training.
What vocational areas of training are available?
| Program | Types of Skills Taught, and Employment Goals |
|---|---|
| Auto Body and Paint | Skills: car wash detail, sanding, minor & major body repair Employment: paint and body shops |
| Auto Mechanics | Skills: rebuilding brake systems, wheel alignment Employment: automotive technicians |
| Child Care | Skills: teacher’s role, working safely working with children, setting up learning centers Employment: Child Care Centers and Teaching Assistants |
| Floral Design | Skills: naming flowers, using floral tools, preparing bud vases and mixed floral arrangements, creating corsages Employment: Flower Shops |
| Food Service | Skills: food storage, cooking, use of food equipment Employment: restaurants and professional kitchens |
| Nursing Assistant | Skills: students learn skills necessary to receive their CNA licensure Employment: nursing homes and hospitals |
| Office Skills | Skills: keyboarding and applications, basic computer skills, data entry, telephone etiquette, filing systems Employment: office assistants |
| Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Maintenance | Skills: refrigeration and air conditioning repairs Employment: heating and air conditioning repair contractors or appliance centers |
| Sanitation/Maintenance/ Grounds-keeping Attendant | Skills: cleaning techniques, using lawn equipment, using basic tools for building repair Employment: custodial positions; lawn maintenance (e.g., golf courses, Parks and Recreation Depts.) |
| Veterinarian Assistant | Skills: animal anatomy, using a microscope to run lab tests, identifying surgical instruments, assisting vets during surgeries Employment: veterinarian offices, zoos, animal shelters |
| Welding | Skills: methods of welding designs, fabricate and complete basic projects, shop safety Employment: industrial shops as welding assistants |
Special topics are new vocational training areas that are in the trial stage and therefore are not applicable for Financial Aid assistance. These programs include those listed below. Students wishing to be trained in an area not listed may request a vocational field to be added as a Special Topic.
| Program | Types of Skills Taught, and Employment Goals |
|---|---|
| Animal Caretaking | skills: grooming, restraint, feeding, walking employment: kennels, groomers, zoos, and animal shelters |
| Fashion Merchandising | skills: pricing, clothing arrangement, sales employment: department stores and specialty clothing stores |
What courses are required to receive the Certificate of Occupational Training?
The course offerings are excellent and prepare the student for an exciting future in their choice of occupation. Students are required to take the following courses as part of each program:
- Vocational Training Course
- Vocational Training Practicum
- Conflict Resolution I & II
- Independent Living I & II and an Independent Living Lab
- Job Skills I & II
- Adaptive P.E.
- CPR
- First Aid
Students must master their vocational training course and practicum with at least 75% mastery of skills and they must complete all other courses with at least 60% mastery of skills in order to receive the Certificate of Occupational Training.
What are the entrance requirements and required documentation?
Entrance requirements for the Special Services Occupational Training Program differ from the Academic Programs of Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell.
- A high school diploma is not required; however, it is encouraged. We do have GED testing available through our campus for any student interested. For students who wish to receive financial aid monies, they must have a GED.
- A current copy of insurance coverage.
- A current copy of an IEP, Summary of Performance, and any educational and/or psychological testing. This documentation provides Special Services staff important information about the student including his/her strengths and weaknesses as well as intervention strategies that have worked in the past.
- Vocational Evaluation/Assessment (can be scheduled and completed at ENMU-Roswell prior to first semester).
- Copy of shot records.
- The students are expected to:
- Self-managing: laundry, personal hygiene, using public transportation
Self-medicate: administering correct dosage at correct time intervals for
existing medications and new medications if student becomes ill
Time Management: wake up to an alarm; follow a class schedule;
manage free time and school work
Can a student take college credit courses concurrently with the Special Services Occupational Training Program courses?
Yes. If a student is interested in taking academic classes concurrently with the Special Services Occupational Training Program, or seeking a degree through any academic area, he or she must meet the entrance requirements of Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, including placement testing for more information on entrance requirements for academic courses, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (575) 624-7141. The student must also contact the Special Services office to request these courses.
Where do students live?
Most students in the Special Services Occupational Training Program live in resident housing on campus. There is a Director of Housing on site and on call to address student issues. In addition, there are Resident Assistants on each floor (approximately 1 per 25 students). Curfew and visitation limits are enforced. A sign-in and sign-out log helps dorm staff monitor students in the Special Services program. The housing units are apartment style with two bedrooms and one bathroom per unit. Students typically share a bedroom with one other student. Housing amenities include laundry facilities, telephone connections in each room, 52 channels of free basic cable, a student lounge with vending machines, and individual mail boxes.
Are there social activities planned on-campus?
The housing staff schedules many social activities including Monday night movie, weekly dorm competitions, and several dances each semester. Weekend day trips are available for students to sign up for and include hiking trips, water-park trip in summer, and ENMU Portales basketball games. Students can also sign up for Special Olympics. ENMU-Roswell provides a very positive social environment. Students have many opportunities for social interaction in resident housing that supports social development.
What type of health care services are available?
Limited health services are provided by a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. These services include diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses. In addition, assistance with medication refills and scheduling physician appointments is provided. Students are responsible for obtaining prescription, managing medication, and finding a local physician.
What type of support services are provided?
Support services provided to students in the Special Services Occupational Training Program include voluntary counseling. Students are required to attend tutoring once per week and additional tutoring is provided to students if needed. Driver’s Education is offered as an elective for students wishing to pursue their driver’s license. Sign language interpreters are available for students with hearing impairments. Academic Accommodations are provided to students who provide documentation of disability. Creative abstract thought development is provided as part of the Independent Living Course through art and theatre classes.
What type of funding support is available?
- State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies: The purpose of Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies is to help people with disabilities achieve employment. As part of their employment goal, they will fund training programs.
- Financial Aid (Pell Grants): Students can apply for financial aid assistance for most of the Occupational Training programs. For questions regarding financial aid contact Financial Aid Services at (575) 624-7152.
- Scholarships through Special Services are available to students after their first semester if they have maintained a 2.5 G.P.A.
How do I apply?
- Complete application packet and mail back to Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Special Services Department
- Special Services staff will review application information and send an acceptance letter if all entrance requirements are met and space is still available for the specific semester.
Where can I get more information?
ENMU-Roswell Special Services
P.O. Box 6000
Roswell, NM 88202-6000
Phone: (575) 624-7286 or (575) 624-7300(TDD)
Fax: (575) 624-7350