For Guardians

Achieve Eligibility

Potential participants must:

• Want a job and a community college experience
• Have an intellectual disability
• Be eligible for funding and willing to apply to community resources, or willing to use a private pay option
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be able to attend to personal care needs or provide a personal care attendant
• Remain an active participant throughout the length of the program
• Be able, after an initial orientation and training, to safely and independently navigate the campus
• Be willing to utilize public transportation (e.g., Access Transportation, public transit) if not a licensed driver

Guardian Participation Agreement

Guardians of Achieve students are asked to agree to the following:

• I am committed and supportive of the student going to Highline College.
• I understand my student must be motivated to participate in the program
• I will work with my student to determine a college communication plan.
• I will support the student in following program timelines which includes internships and linkage to employment services and connecting with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Developmental Disabilities Administration, and King County School to Work.
• I understand that my student’s internship must be completed in year one. Students who choose not to participate in year one may not receive an internship opportunity in year two.
• I understand program activities, including coursework, campus participation, internships and career goals are student-directed.
• I understand my student’s schedule requires time on campus outside of class.
• I understand my student’s schedule may change weekly depending on campus and career requirements.
• I am aware that full time support/supervision on campus is not available from the Achieve program, and have determined that the student possesses the independence and decision making skills to safely participate in the Achieve program.
• I understand that my student will be learning to self-advocate and I will support these skills and will encourage participation in the decision-making processes associated with the Achieve program.
• I understand that my student is responsible for communication with me regarding college needs and updating me with college progress/advising notes. I can ask about advising notes, Canvas and visual schedules.
• I will not contact college faculty and staff and will use my student and the Achieve advisor as the liaison to the college for any questions or concerns.
• As a guardian, I will support transportation training.
• For students receiving financial aid: As a guardian, I will support my student with Financial Aid process/communication, checking student financial aid portal, submitting required forms and meeting deadlines.