Supported Education

Since 1989, the Supported Education program at Laurel House has been committed to assisting individuals with mental health conditions to work towards their academic goals. We work closely with students to: choose a post-secondary program (in college, a Vocational Certification, or GED program); complete financial aid applications; and provide ongoing assistance.

In FY19 Supported Education served 96 program participants; 67% enrolled in post-secondary education; 61% in Associates; 20% in Bachelors and achieved the highest fidelity award rating – Exemplary – from the State of Connecticut for the 8th consecutive year. The program also received a perfect score in the Fidelity audit: 205 out of 205.

Supported Education allows Laurel House counselors to work with high school students as early as possible, to lessen the most debilitating effects of mental illness, ensure a successful transition into post-secondary education or vocational certification and provide ongoing support as needed to sustain stability and improvement. Laurel House’s work with children is urgent since, according to the U.S. Department of Education, over 50% of students with a mental health disorder age 14 and older drop out of high school, the highest dropout rate of any disability group.

Services provided by the Supported Education Programs are available to students 16 and older with a mental health condition, from Greenwich to Bridgeport and include:

  • Goal planning and career exploration
  • Academic skills training
  • Informational tours on campus
  • Guidance when working with college faculty
  • Information on accessing on-campus supports
  • Help securing disability accommodations
  • Assistance with the college application and transfer process
  • Help registering for classes
  • Assistance applying for financial aid and scholarships
  • Skills training groups

Supported Education Counselors work closely with faculty, counselors and admissions staff and disability coordinators at over 20 area colleges, as well as at Vocational Certification programs.

Tele-Education Support (TEdS)

Clients who participate in the Supported Education program also have seamless access to other effective, evidence-based programs, which include TEdS (Tele-Education Support) through Skype, FaceTime, text and phone; Thinking Well (Cognitive Remediation, a therapeutic program); and Supported Employment. TEdS gives Laurel House the opportunity to expand its reach into high schools and help successfully transition juniors and seniors to post-secondary education or vocational certification, plus “follow the student” to an away campus to ensure the student uses accessible onsite campus disability accommodations as needed.