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EDGE Program
Educating Disability Groups Through Education
What is EDGE?
In 2018, SCRS piloted a unique dual-enrollment program dubbed “Destiny Project” at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park, California. We recruited for this pilot project all across Los Angeles County, and even accepted a couple of students from neighboring San Bernardino County. Over 60% of the students accepted for this pilot project were individuals who are neurodiverse or have intellectual or developmental disabilities. At the culmination of this pilot program, which focused on STEM Engineering and Design, every student enrolled successfully completed both of their certificates by the time they graduated High School.
Mirroring the blueprint set by the Destiny Project, our EDGE Program launched at Compton Community College in the Fall of 2019 as a vendored program of South Central Los Angeles Regional Center. Through this program design, EDGE essentially augments the services of the college or university mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Through EDGE, eligible students are able to receive services and support from our staff both inside and outside of the classroom. We are now at numerous college and university campuses throughout Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
For too long, the bar has been set far too low for students with disabilities in the K-12 system. Rather than most high school students or transition students hearing about college opportunities, career opportunities or living independently, many are instead told about day programs, volunteer opportunities, work experience opportunities or simply spend their adult life at home without much of anything. Regrettably, the statistics of disabled people graduating college or university are far lower than their nondisabled peers; SCRS hopes to change that narrative and those statistics.
The services offered at SCRS essentially create a wrap around service – from case management and youth transition services, which can help with things like SSI, Medi-Cal, IHSS, disability identity, history and pride, to our EDGE Program which supports them from the beginning of their college journey until graduation, to our employment services program that can help prepare them for a job or career in their field of study to locating housing and learning how to best use their natural supports and accessing resources independently. EDGE is a program with numerous regional centers in Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire. The EDGE Program is ideal for active regional center consumers with mild to moderate disabilities and minimal to no behaviors. The ideal referral / consumer is someone who independently expressed their desire to attend college for the purpose of earning a certificate or college degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start the process of joining EDGE?
To start the process of joining EDGE, you must let your Consumer Service Coordinator (CSC) at the Regional Center know of your interest. Your CSC will then send over a referral packet to their internal education specialist or directly to the EDGE Program Director. Once the referral packet is received and reviewed by the EDGE Program Staff, an appointment will be scheduled. This appointment is an opportunity for the applicant to tour our office, meet with the director and staff, meet you and your support and do an initial intake and academic assessment, if needed. Shortly after, the EDGE Program Director will send your CSC a decision letter. If accepted, your CSC and Regional Center staff will initiate the process to approve the services, typically within 30 days.
So I must be a Regional Center Consumer to be a part of EDGE?
Yes. In order to receive EDGE services, you must be an active consumer of the regional center. EDGE services are free for you, but paid for by your regional center.
How old do I need to be to join EDGE?
To receive EDGE services, you must be at least 18 years of age and graduating from high school or have already graduated.
Do I need to know what I want to study to join EDGE?
No, you don’t need to know your major right away, but you do need to know that you want to be in college and want a college degree or certificate. This program is not meant for anyone looking to just pass time or who only want to take fun elective classes.
I am a DOR (Department Of Rehabilitation) Consumer, do I qualify for EDGE services?
No. Although having DOR services is helpful with your academic goal, EDGE is a vendored program of Regional Center. You must also be a client of Regional Center to qualify for EDGE services.
Are your staff like my 1 to 1, similar to my aide in High School?
No. Our staff mostly work at a 1:3 ratio, meaning, each staff member has up to 3 students they are responsible for. Although sometimes our staff may only be working with you at certain days and times, they are not exclusive to you. It is important that you communicate with your staff what your schedule is for the semester and the level of support you will need so that appropriate time is set aside to support you. Your staff may likely change every semester, as well, for different reasons.
How much support will I receive?
That depends. As mentioned, we can support you as soon as services are approved by your regional center. We can assist you with: enrolling you into college, registering for classes, registering for disabled student services (and other appropriate services), registering for financial aid assistance (and any scholarship opportunities you want to apply for), supporting you in the classroom with things like note taking, prompting, facilitating, intervening, redirecting, and supports like campus navigation, accessing campus resources like first aid, tutoring, clubs and more. The EDGE Program can support you with up to 144 hours per month, but the regional center would need to approve those hours first. Ultimately, it all depends on the level of support you feel that you need and what you advocate for.
I tried college before and I am now on academic probation, can EDGE help?
Maybe. You will need to follow the steps above as if you are joining our program. During the intake process, our staff will assess in more detail as to what led to your academic probation status and whether we can assist or not. In the event that we cannot assist, our staff will do what they can to offer you recommendations and/or resources to help you.
I struggle with reading, writing or math, can EDGE help me so that I am successful in college?
Maybe. This depends on various factors and it is something we discuss during the intake process. Things like your academic goal and ambition and desire to succeed play a role in your ultimate success. If you are determined to succeed, seek out the resources that will help you, are consistent in your work, then you are already setting a higher probability of overcoming those subjects you struggle with. Our staff will do everything they can to help you, as long as you put in the same amount of effort.
I told my CSC at the regional center about EDGE and they said they never heard of it, what do I do?
Sad face…that’s okay. If our EDGE program is vendored with your regional center, or even if there is what’s called a courtesy vendorization in place, you can have your CSC contact the EDGE Program Director and they can provide them with the vendor number and service code. If for any reason they still can’t locate it, we will do our best to work with them in an effort to get these services for you, but, we make no promises. Ultimately, it is up to the regional center to approve these services for you.
What if I didn’t graduate high school or get my high school diploma?
Contact us anyway. Let’s have a conversation about your specific circumstances and see if EDGE may still be an option for you or perhaps one of our other programs or services may be a better option for you.
My question isn’t listed, who should I reach out to?
Send an email to the Director of College Transition Services using the form below. Your submission will go directly to his inbox and will be responded to within two business days. for more information, please contact
Hector Ochoa
Director of College Transitions
Email: hochoa@scrs-ilc.org