Minot State, Arc of North Dakota urge one-time funding to sustain inclusive postsecondary programs

Minot State University representatives and disability advocates told the House Appropriations Education and Environment Division that inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs statewide need additional state funding to remain stable as federal grant support declines.

At a committee hearing, Lori Garnes, executive director of the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities at Minot State University, said the center and ASTEP — Minot’s inclusive postsecondary program — have produced higher employment and independent-living outcomes for participants and that program expansion across the state is constrained by funding shortfalls.

Garnes said the center is seeking state appropriations beyond the Department of Public Instruction transition funds that have supported programs: “NDCPD at Minot State has the knowledge and ability to assist other universities develop and maintain these kinds of programs. Minot State University’s program is stable and it will continue,” she told the committee. Garnes said the center currently invests about $50,000 a year in ASTEP and that operating a campus-level IPSE program can cost an additional $50,000–$100,000 annually depending on size.

Why it matters: Committee members heard data Garnes said show program graduates gain employment at substantially higher rates than the statewide average for people with disabilities. Garnes cited a survey she provided to the committee showing 96% of IPSE graduates had paid community-integrated employment and that about 60% lived independently. The committee was also told that 89 students have completed IPSE programs in North Dakota since 2010 and that multiple universities have tried but paused programs because they could not sustain campus infrastructure costs.

Committee discussion and details: Garnes told the committee that Minot’s ASTEP program sets enrollment capacity at 20 students and typically serves 15–18; she said North Dakota State University (NDSU) has an 11‑student program in its second year. Garnes described braided funding that currently supports newer programs: federal Impact (a U.S. Department of Education grant), university funds, and Department of Public Instruction (DPI) transition money. Garnes said the Impact grant provides roughly $500,000 per year to the center and that NDCPD provides a 25% match to those federal funds.

Graduates’ perspective: Elizabeth Romonick, a graduate of Minot State’s ASTEP program who identified herself as “a person with Down syndrome,” testified about the personal and social benefits she experienced in college and urged continued funding: “College can bring happiness and . . . we just want those students to be involved, to be heard, to be seen,” Romonick said.

Requests and budget context: Witnesses said the Senate inserted a $500,000 placeholder in the Minot line of the higher education budget, while Garnes said programs statewide estimate a need of about $1.5 million to “keep them whole” relative to current service levels. Committee members asked for clarification on existing DPI support; Garnes said DPI provides approximately $10,500 per eligible student (about $90,000 for Minot’s current cohort) but that DPI funds do not cover all infrastructure or staffing needs.

Next steps and committee reaction: Representatives asked follow-up questions about program capacity, eligibility ages and timelines (Garnes said ASTEP is a three‑year program and that DPI transition funds typically cover some students up to age 20, with program eligibility continuing to age 26). Chair Nathie and committee members signaled they will consider program requests as they work through the higher education budget but did not take formal action at the hearing.

Ending: Advocates asked the committee to consider state funding to sustain and expand IPSE programs; committee members indicated the issue will be considered alongside other higher education budget priorities.