Established exclusively at CSI in the 1980's, Creative Exchange is a community for lifelong learning serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We offer our students learning experiences for personal growth that are unique to college, in and out of the classroom. Established in 1998, the goal of Life Skills is to foster self-sufficiency. With support from the instructor and peers, Life Skills is focused on developing skills and habits for living more independently. Our programs are responsive to our student community’s self-identified needs, regardless of ability, and align with best practices in the field of inclusive post-secondary education. Translate this text in your language in Google Translate here.
Contact Information
Meaghan Hilton
Days: Mon.- Thur. from 9am - 2pm
Elizabeth Francis
Program Assistant
The Origin Story of Creative Exchange and Life Skills
The origin story of Creative Exchange is traced to 1976 when former residents of the Willowbrook State School were moved into community residences during the institution’s closure. Twelve activist parents approached the Elizabeth W. Pouch Center for Special People with concerns about the difficulties their adult children would experience as they reentered society. In collaboration with community professionals and the ‘Pouch Center’, CSI’s Continuing Education unit responded to the community needs of the time by developing Creative Exchange.
The program’s original purpose was to assist former residents of ‘Willowbrook’ with the social preparation needed to participate successfully in community life. During the 1980’s, CSI Continuing Education leadership and its partners secured a contract with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), providing Creative Exchange with the resources to grow to serve 100+ adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) at no cost, in dedicated classroom spaces in the community, and at the College's former location in St. George. Creative Exchange was cited in a staff report to President Carter as the first higher education program of its kind nationally educating adults with IDD. Following the emergence of supportive apartments and supportive work environments, CSI’s Continuing Education leadership developed Life Skills in 1998, recognizing the unique learning needs of adults with IDD who qualified for these new services.
Today Creative Exchange and Life Skills have evolved into a community for lifelong learning. We offer students learning experiences for personal growth that are unique to college, in and out of the classroom. In person courses and events take place on the grounds of what was formerly the Willowbrook State School, which was transformed into the College of Staten Island/CUNY in 1993. Our programs remain responsive to our student community’s self-identified needs, regardless of ability, and align with best practices in the field of inclusive post-secondary education.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Creative Exchange and Life Skills serves a NYC residents over the age of 21 who have intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and who have a desire to participate in the programs.
- These programs do not have the capacity for dedicated 1 to 1 support. If the student needs 1 to 1 support and has not acquired it, please contact us for strategies, virtual course options, and information on service providers that may be able to help.
- For Life Skills only: Applicants and their families or guardians should have a desire to work or are already working, independently or through supportive employment. Verbal communication and basic literacy are also required. Applicants must demonstrate why they want to participate in the program through a project of their choosing or an interview. Examples of projects include: a work of art the student created, a PowerPoint, a recording, a brief essay, or a creative writing piece like a poem.
Tuition:
- Free
- Creative Exchange is generously sponsored by the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
- Other sponsors include the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
How to Apply:
- In addition to a completed Registration Form, students in Creative Exchange and Life Skills must email elizabeth.francis@csi.cuny.edu with the following documents:
- Current Physical Exam within the past 12 months
- Recent Psychological Evaluation within the past 5 years
- For Life Skills applicants ONLY, students must also email the following documents at time of Registration.
- Current Level of Care Eligibility Determination Form (LCED)