The Department of Higher Education has awarded Westfield State University a FY19 grant of $90,387.22 to continue its work supporting students with intellectual disabilities as part of the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI).
This initiative supports a network of 14 public two- and four-year colleges and universities across the state. Funded by the Commonwealth since 2008, the MAICEI has supported over 2,000 students by facilitating fully inclusive learning opportunities, social engagement, and career development.
About the MAICEI at Westfield State
The MAICEI provides dual-enrollment opportunities for students ages 18–21 that have intellectual disabilities and are still receiving special education services through their school districts. MAICEI students enroll in 100- and 200-level courses alongside traditional day students at Westfield State. Course choices generally reflect the MAICEI students’ long-term employment goals.
Westfield State is one of 14 MAICEI programs and partners with 11 area school districts: Agawam, Amherst, Chicopee, Hampden Wilbraham, Hampden Charter School of Science, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Southwick Tolland Granville Regional, Springfield, West Springfield, and Westfield.
The MAICEI program began at Westfield State in 2013 with five students and has grown to the second largest in the Commonwealth with 25 students enrolled in 2017–18. In addition to the Westfield State courses, students are offered seminars to target and refine their skills in the areas of academics, employment, social-emotional, and health and wellness. Students also participate in pIeCES (Positive Inclusion of Everyone Creates Educational Success), a student-run peer mentor group which allows MAICEI students to interact with other students on campus, providing opportunities to develop social-emotional skills during weeknight and weekend visits.