VITAL Information for Teachers and Administrators
Vocational Individualized Training and Learning
Initial Steps
Student Responsibilities
1. The AEA special education consultant assigned
to the high school coordinates a multidisciplinary
team meeting in the fall to identify appropriate
VITAL candidates.
1 . Student applies to K irk wood at
www.kirkwood.edu/apply. Click New Student
Application and select the desired VITAL eligible
program.
Note: Early referrals are strongly recommended.
Ideally, the referral should occur in October or
November of the student’s senior year. Referrals
will not be accepted after the second week of
February of the student’s senior year.
2. Student completes the VITAL application
at www.kirkwood.edu/vital.
2. Special education teacher submits Grant Wood
AEA and Kirkwood Community College partnership referral form.
Results are used to determine placement in
Kirkwood courses and acceptance into certain
programs while participating in VITAL. Call
319-398-5456 or see www.kirkwood.edu/testcenter
for more information.
Note: If referring district is not the same as the
student’s resident district, the resident district must
approve the referral.
Send to: VITAL, Kirkwood Community College,
2063 Cedar Hall, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar
Rapids, IA 52404.
3. After receipt of the referral form, the VITAL
office sends the referring teacher the following
forms electronically:
• Release of information form to be
completed and signed by the student and
returned to VITAL office.
• Teacher questionnaire and rubric, to be
completed by the referring teacher, signed
by all appropriate persons and returned
to VITAL office prior to the VITAL
interview.
4. School personnel submit the teacher questionnaire, rubric, a copy of the student’s most recent
transcript and Iowa Assessment scores.
3. Student takes the COMPASS placement test at a
Kirkwood Test Center.
4. Student attends career and technical education
program conference, if required.
The student must contact the appropriate career
and technical education department to schedule a
program conference.
5. Student schedules VITAL interview. Call
319-398-7138 to schedule.
6. Students enrolled in VITAL are not eligible
to receive federal financial aid. However, students
may apply for and accept scholarships from
private organizations, including the Kirkwood
Foundation.
Final Steps
1. VITAL staff conducts intake interview.
2. Acceptance Letter
If the student is accepted by the career and
technical education program and there are no
unresolved concerns about VITAL placement, a
VITAL acceptance letter is sent to the student and
referral source.
3. VITAL Staff-In Conference
This conference is held at the high school during
the latter half of May. VITAL staff will conduct the
staff-in conference at the high school. A new IEP
will be developed for the student at this conference.
What if I have more questions?
For more information on the VITAL program or
the referral process, contact any of the following:
VITAL Instructors
Brenda Cooley
319-398-5448
Sue Sickels
319-398-5669
Todd Slater
319-398-4932
VITAL Paraeducator
Erika Zanka
319-398-7138
Dean of Learning Services
Arron Wings
319-398-5574
Kirkwood Community College
Learning Services – VITAL Program
2042/2044 Cedar Hall
6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
319-398-5574
800-332-2055 Toll-free
319-398-4933 fax
www.kirkwood.edu/vital
Career and technical education programs eligible for VITAL:
Business & Information Technology | 398-5416
Allied Health | 398-5566
www.kirkwood.edu/businessdept
www.kirkwood.edu/alliedhealth
Dental Assisting
Dental Hygiene
Dental Technology
Electroneurodiagnostic Technology (Odd years)
Health Information Technology
Medical Assisting
Medical Coding
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Transcription
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Pharmacy Technology
Physical Therapist Assistant
Respiratory Therapist
Surgical Technology
Accounting
Administrative Assistant
- (Office Assistant Diploma)
Apparel Merchandising
Computer Information Systems
Computer Support Specialist
- (PC Technician Diploma)
Financial Services
Geographic Information Systems
Graphic Communication Technology
Interior Design
Local Area Network (LAN) Management
Management
Marketing Management
- (Retail Marketing Diploma)
Web Technologies
Agricultural Sciences | 398-4944
www.kirkwood.edu/agrisciences
Hospitality Arts | 848-8770
www.kirkwood.edu/hospitality
Culinary Arts
Bakery & Pastry Arts
Hotel Management
Restaurant Management
Industrial Technologies | 398-4983
www.kirkwood.edu/industrialtech
Architectural Technology
Automotive Collision Repair
Automotive Technology
CAD/Mechanical Engineering Technology
Carpentry
CNC Machining Technology
Construction Management
Electronics Engineering Technology
Energy Production & Distribution Technologies
HVAC Installer
Industrial Maintenance Technology
Masonry Construction
Plumbing Technology
Telecommunications Technology
Welding
Ag Business
Ag Production Management (Swine, Beef, Crop)
Ag Transfer
Diesel Agriculture Technology
Diesel Truck Technology
Floral Careers
Golf Course and Athletic Turfgrass Management
Horse Science Technology
Humane Officer Training
Landscape Construction & Design (Construction)
Landscape Construction & Design (Design)
Parks and Natural Resources
Pet Grooming/Pet Shop Management
Veterinary Assistant
Social Sciences | 398-4911
www.kirkwood.edu/socialsciences
Communications Media/Public Relations
Criminal Justice
Early Childhood Education
Education Careers
Human Services
Paralegal
Nursing | 398-5563
www.kirkwood.edu/nursing
Nursing (LPN or RN)
The Vocational Individualized Training and Learning (VITAL) is sponsored
by: Grant Wood Area Education Agency, Kirkwood Community College,
Local Education Agency (LEA)
Kirkwood Community College declares and affirms to its students, employees and to the public that is does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity,
physical attributes, physical or mental ability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or socioeconomic status in its educational programs, activities, admission procedures or employment practices. The college affirms its
commitment to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and orders.
www.kirkwood.edu/vital
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