Established to provide students with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in a two-year college experience, the 沈芯语老师家访麻花视频 College of Education鈥檚 (EXperiencing College for Education and Employment Discovery) program launched two new initiatives this fall: the Terps Wellness Warrior program and the Plus One Alumni Year program.
Doing Better with Mental Health: Building 沈芯语老师家访麻花视频 Capacity to Serve People with Intellectual Disability
In April, TerpsEXCEED received a $14,884 grant from 沈芯语老师家访麻花视频鈥檚 Do Good Institute to create the Terps Wellness Warrior Program, an initiative designed to provide inclusive mental health care for individuals with intellectual disabilities. As part of the program, psychology students and TerpsEXCEED peer mentors receive training on working with people with intellectual disabilities. The students also develop and deliver wellness programming for TerpsEXCEED students and create tip sheets and strategies to share with the 沈芯语老师家访麻花视频 Counseling Center and Health Center, as well as the Department of Resident Life.
The program aims to address a gap in the counseling field. Many providers report limited training in working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. According to the Pew Institute, the lack of tailored evidence-based screening tools and treatment options is a common barrier for individuals with cognitive, intellectual or developmental differences when seeking mental health services.
鈥淚鈥檝e gone through the intake process with a student, and the questions were too difficult for them to complete. Yet it鈥檚 the first step to receiving care,鈥 explains Amy D鈥橝gati, TerpsEXCEED program director. 鈥淲e hope that with this program, we can better serve TerpsEXCEED students in need of services, while also preparing the next generation of professionals who will work with this population.鈥
A New Chapter: Life After College
From navigating social services and housing to finding employment, adjusting to life after college can be especially challenging for TerpsEXCEED students. A new initiative, the Plus One Alumni Program, provides TerpsEXCEED alumni with an opportunity to reside in inclusive housing in the greater College Park community. As part of the program, alumni continue to receive support from TerpsEXCEED as they take on new responsibilities to strengthen their independence.
鈥淭wo years in TerpsEXCEED goes by fast, and we were hearing from alumni and their families that they loved the structure and support of the program, and then suddenly it was gone,鈥 says D鈥橝gati. 鈥淥ur focus with this pilot program is on helping them take the essential life skills they developed on campus and extending it into the real world.鈥
Through a partnership with the inclusive housing organization Main Street Connect, TerpsEXCEED graduates Matthew Stewart, Daniel Brodsky and Jamie Sprague moved into the Flats at College Park in October, where they participate in weekly classes and sessions led by community coaches. They discuss a wide variety of topics, including apartment living and safety. Alumni also receive support from TerpsEXCEED peer mentors who help them budget, manage their work schedules, grocery shop and cook. They also help them navigate public transportation and encourage them to engage in community activities and explore Washington, D.C.
鈥淟iving independently is something I鈥檝e been working towards my whole life,鈥 says Daniel Brodsky, who completed the TerpsEXCEED program in May 2025. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a new experience, and I get to prove to myself that I can do it. I鈥檓 excited and looking forward to finding a job.鈥
鈥淭he goal is not just to provide our students with a transformative college experience but also to ensure that they are able to thrive in the years after and become productive community citizens,鈥 adds D鈥橝gati.
Photo: TerpsEXCEED graduate Daniel Brodsky '25 in his new apartment. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
