RCCD outlines PACT program for students on the autism spectrum; $1,000,000 grant supports initial cohorts

Riverside Community College District officials presented the Promoting Achievable College Transitions (PACT) program to the City of Riverside Commission on Disabilities, describing a multi-campus effort to help students on the autism spectrum move from high school into college and persist in their first terms.

"We got 1000000 dollars from the Inland Empire Regional K through 16 collaborative," Michael Peterson, Executive Director for Adult Education and Community Initiatives at RCCD, said while summarizing funding that launched the program. Peterson told commissioners the grant support will end next summer but the district is working to institutionalize the program. He said the first cohort included "about 200 students this year" and the district is preparing a larger second cohort with roughly 300 student IDs already identified.

Christina Miranda, PACT student success coordinator, described services the program provides: one-on-one enrollment and transition support, peer social-skills classes (a UCLA curriculum), peer mentors/social coaches, student employment on campus and a professional-preparedness conference scheduled for October 9. Miranda said the program also connects families to resources and meets students where they are: "We do have about 200 in our cohort." She highlighted examples of individual progress, including students who gained confidence, internships and study-abroad participation.

Peterson and Miranda presented outcome metrics: a reported fall-term course success rate of 81 percent for PACT participants ("9 percent higher than the general population") and a spring rate of 80 percent. Commissioners pressed on eligibility and supports for highly capable students who primarily need social-skills coaching; Miranda described individualized assessments, peer mentors and plans to expand peers classes across campuses. On staff training, presenters said they completed UCLA certification and attend professional conferences such as the College Autism Network.

The presenters asked for continued collaboration with local partners (RUSD, Phoenix Gateway, libraries and regional centers) and said they would welcome commission support in outreach and institutionalization of services after grant funding ends. Next procedural step: staff and commissioners offered to follow up and consider ways the commission can assist with awareness and partnership.