College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

LifeWorks at WKU announced it has received $4.4 million in funding from the Kentucky General Assembly to support its two-year living-and-learning Transition Academy and to expand services by establishing the Bridge Program for autistic young adults.

Support for the LifeWorks Transition Academy will enhance the existing living-and-learning program, which was established in 2020. The funds will help reduce the out-of-pocket tuition costs of qualified participants who reside in the Julie & Gary Ransdell Living and Learning Community while attending the two-year program. The Transition Academy is designed to provide the instruction and practice necessary to equip its participants with the tools to obtain gainful employment and succeed in living on their own.

The newly established Bridge Program, commonly referred to as a ‘commuter’ program, assists autistic young adults with supported employment opportunities and a comprehensive independent living curriculum.

“LifeWorks would not be here today, and we would not have the opportunity to address the needs of autistic young adults without the support of the Kentucky General Assembly,” said John Kelly, chairman of the LifeWorks Board of Directors. “They have given us the assistance to chart a path for our future where individuals will have better success at obtaining and maintaining employment and lead self-sufficient, productive lives.”

Nationally, 85% of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed. LifeWorks has reversed the national trend, resulting in 90% of its participants currently working part-time or full-time.   

“The whole idea of LifeWorks is to focus on job development,” said Kelly. “This is a program that teaches, assists, and supports individuals on the spectrum who need the skills to be successful in the workplace. Our local and state representatives are acutely aware of the needs of our participants, and we can’t thank them enough for their impactful support.”

LifeWorks is an extension of the lifespan of services provided by the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex. For nearly 20 years, the CEC has provided services for individuals and families impacted by autism and other neurodiversities. The programs at the CEC are available for individuals 12 months old through college-age, while LifeWorks supports young adults on the spectrum (ages 21-30).

Contact: Molly Swietek, (270) 745-4383