Preparing to Start Classes
8/6/98

Jack - Hi Juan.

Juan - Hi Jack. Well, I think I've got everything ready to begin classes.

Jack - Great! Tell me about it. How was the meeting with your advisor?

Juan - Pretty good. It was a little confusing at first, he moved a little fast. But he gave me a booklet to read, and I figured most of it out from there. I also went and talked to Hank Baker at the Access Office, too. He's really helpful.

Jack - Yes he is. Did he help you figure out the booklet?

Juan - No, I met with him before that. But he told me about the accommodations I can get, and how they will help me if there's any, like, resistance from any of my professors about it. So that was good.

Jack - Yes, Hank's helped a lot of folks over there. He's good to know.

Juan - And I also met with a social worker about what that job is like.

Jack - And what did you think?

Juan - It sounds good. I'm thinking that setting the goal at the first degree level, at the Bachelor's degree, is probably good though. Because then I can start working and getting some experience and possibly get my Master's degree as I work. But this is definitely a good direction because, I mean, she gets out there and helps people, helps teenagers, just like I want to. There are things, like the paperwork and stuff, that aren't going to be much fun, but I already deal with some of that at the Independent Living Center.

Jack - Well, good. That's what the informational interview is for. I think you should probably do one with a social worker, and maybe with another caseworker, just to get a good perspective on the situation. But for now, it gives you a better idea of what you'll need. Did the academic advisor have any ideas about courses?

Juan - Kind of. He knew a lot about, like, what basics I would need - math and such. But he said I needed to find some people in Sociology or Psychology to talk to, and in a semester or two, get an advisor from one of them. The guy I talked to said he really didn't know much about what courses to take for specific majors, as far as, like, History classes and such for sociology majors. And Terri, the Social Worker I talked to, she suggested that I might think about majoring in Criminal Justice anyway. So I should probably go talk to someone over there, too, just to see.

Jack - That sounds like a good idea. It's great that you are getting out there and getting all this information to help you decide better. Did the academic advisor suggest some classes for your first semester?

Juan - Yes. We got that outlined. I need to take a couple of placement tests in Math and Spanish, to see which exact course I'm going to take, but I will take a Math course and a Spanish course. Plus I'll take the beginning Psychology class. He said that one is not too hard and pretty popular…

Jack - Yeah, I remember taking that class myself, years ago. So what do you have left? Have you registered yet?

Juan - No. I have to wait until that, but I have been admitted to the University.

Jack - And when we talked on the phone a couple weeks ago you said you had passed the GED.

Juan - Yeah. It's nice to have that over with.

Jack - I'm sure it is. And you applied for the Pell Grant?

 Juan - Yes. They said it was too late to apply for most of the grants, you have to do that by the end of February, but I could still apply for the Pell. So I got that filled out.

Jack - Well, it sounds to me like you've done everything we had on our list of client responsibilities. Which means this IWRP is officially over and we start a new one. Now, this new one will be a Training IWRP, and we'll need to do a cost worksheet. So I'll need to get check some of your financial information, and then we can look at what share of the expenses VR will cover for you.

And you're still working part-time at the Independent Living Center, right? And you are going to continue there while you take classes?

Juan - Yes. Since I can be full time at 9 hours - which, they told me, is because I'm doing VR - so I think I can handle working, too. I've been cutting back on my client load at the Center, since I'm part-time now.

Jack - So we will figure that salary in... Well, let me get this IWRP and other paperwork drawn up, and you can sign them, and then you'll be ready to start classes.

Juan - Great.

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Name of Client: Juan Martinez
Address: Essex Towers, MO
Contact made: [_] Home [X] Office [_] Phone [_] Other
Date: 8/06/98

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