2024 25 Options Institute Brochure

contact us at: [email protected] 2024-25 Course Catalog contact us at: [email protected] 2 Options at Goddard Riverside The Options Center is one of many programs provided by Goddard Riverside. For over 30 years, Options has been working to increase the number of underrepresented young people who gain access to college and earn quality postsecondary degrees. Options College Counseling The Access program supports New York City students through the whole college access process, from identifying postsecondary options to choosing an academic and financial good-fit. Over 250 high school juniors, seniors, and young adults are served yearly. Through the Success program students receive one-to-one advising through college graduation. Services include counseling on and off campus, college supplies, grants to pay for textbooks, and transportation aid to and from college. Options Institute The Options Institute has drawn on the experience and knowledge of the counseling pro- gram to offer training to school and community-based professionals. In the late 1990s, the Options Center received funding to replicate its college access model at four NYC non-profits. Informed by the needs of the staff at those new centers, the first Options Foundation for College Access Counseling Certificate Course was devel- oped and offered publicly in 2005. Today, the hallmark program of the Institute contin- ues to be the certificate Foundation Course. The course covers both the basic knowledge needed to help young people through the college process and the fundamental counsel- ing skills and youth development approaches crucial to working with students. Options Institute is New York City’s leading provider of professional development in col- lege access. Options Institute’s Approach All Options Institute facilitators are also college counselors who bring their own first-hand experience and knowledge to seminars. We train from a practical perspective, using thoughtfully crafted curricula to provide intensive, interactive learning experiences. Com- mitted to adult learning theory, we help participants build on what they know and immedi- ately apply what they learn. Participants leave every training course with helpful resources to take their learning beyond the workshop. Since our inception, the Options Institute is proud to have served over 10,000 participants in the New York City area as well as Chicago, Puerto Rico and Portland, Oregon. About Options contact us at: [email protected] 3 Table of Contents What Participants are Saying................................................ 4 Join the Options Institute Community...................................... 5 Options Institute Membership............................................... 6 Seminars at a Glance.......................................................... 7 Seminar Descriptions.............................................. ............. 9 Good Fit Colleges........................................9 Applications & Admissions............................ 9 Financial Aid Counseling........... ....................10 Counseling Series.......................................... 11 Foundation Course for College Access Counseling (Certification Track). 14 Payment Information...................... .......................................15 Other Professional Development Services .................................... 16 Location............................................................................. 17 contact us at: [email protected] 4 What Participants Are Saying... “The Institute trainings are so educa- tional, so fun! You learn so much and have twice the amount of fun work- ing with others. A lot of material ex- plained and resources that come along with the workbooks help a lot in understanding where one could start looking for these programs.” “I definitely learned a lot more about the CUNY and SUNY schools available, especially the Opportunity Programs mentioned. Be- fore, I was only familiar with certain more popular CUNY/SUNY schools, but now I've learned how to incorporate more schools and community colleges and Opportunity Programs - which were more relevant with the student population that I work with at my organization.” "Would definitely recommend and plan on recommending to people in my network. I also plan on following up about the counseling class. This is a way to learn a lot in a fun way" "I learned about different resources for different types of communities. I also learned how to determine what you need to learn about your student to best support them . Finally, I learned how to read transcripts and factor them into making decisions on how to help stu- dents.” "Prior to this session I did not real- ize that there were admissions profiles conveniently available for SUNY and CUNY schools. In the future I will use these to help youth review what programs they may be able to get into." contact us at: [email protected] 5 Step 1 Visit our website to sign up! Already have an account? Click here Join the Community! Options Institute IN TWO EASY STEPS! FREE Membership Benefits include:  Access to registration for professional development workshops  First notices about promotions, discounts and opening registration dates  Lifelong access to handouts, certificates and resources from workshops  Counselor discussion boards to network and problem solve with colleagues PLEASE NOTE: It is not possible to register for an Options Institute workshop without creating or having an account. Step 2 Create or update your profile and enjoy the benefits! contact us at: [email protected] 6 Welcome to our website! The Options Institute portal is necessary for all class registration and communication. We want you to make use of all the tools available to you! Below are instructions to help you get your account started. Sign –up at: https://bit.ly/OptionsSignUp Follow prompts. All participants must read and agree to the Code of Conduct for the Options Institute portal. Once completed, you are finished! You should receive a submission email. If you do not re- ceive the email check your junk mail or spam folder. Options Institute Membership contact us at: [email protected] 7 Course Title Date(s) Page October Assessing Postsecondary Readiness October 15 9 November Assessing Postsecondary Readiness November 14 9 Financial Aid Application Process November 19 10 December Financial Aid Application Process December 5 10 Student Choice through Lens of Career December 10 9 Fall Semester 2024 at a Glance Don’t be disappointed! Register early. The program of your choice could fill quickly or be cancelled due to low registration. FOUNDATIONS EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! Register by Thursday, October 31st Cost: $1,250 $1050 All workshops will be from 10 am to 2 pm at the Options Institute office, unless noted otherwise. contact us at: [email protected] 8 Spring Semester 2025 at a Glance Course Title Date(s) Page January Researching and Evaluating Students’ Postsecondary Choices January 7 9 Student’s Choice through the Lens of Career January 9 9 Strong College Applications January 28 9 Researching and Evaluating Students’ Postsecondary Choices January 30 9 February Financial Aid: Packages, Loans & Gap February 11 10 Strong College Applications February 13 9 Researching and Evaluating Students’ Postsecondary Choices February 27 9 March Financial Aid: Packages, Loans & Gap March 6 10 Counseling Series: Youth Development in College Access March 11 11 Counseling Series: College Access Counseling Skills March 18 11 Counseling Series: Common Counseling Challenges Practicum & Culmination March 25 11 Counseling Series: Youth Development in College Access March 27 11 April Counseling Series: College Access Counseling Skills April 3 11 Counseling Series: Common Counseling Challenges Practicum & Culmination April 10 11 All workshops will be from 10 am to 2 pm at the Options Institute office, unless noted otherwise contact us at: [email protected] 9 Good Fit Colleges Assessing Postsecondary Readiness To better assist students with their postsecondary goals, whether college or career, effective college advisors should consider their school or program’s readiness culture and be able to assess students' backgrounds -- grades, test scores, finances, family situations etc. -- for the best postsecondary option. Key topics include:  Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes students need to assess and succeed in college  Defining a readiness culture  Identifying first steps necessary for student assessment Tuesday, October 15, 2024 ($150) Thursday, November 14, 2024 ($150) Researching and Evaluating Students’ Postsecondary Choices A college advisor needs to assist students to take advantage of all the support programs available while ensuring that the student chooses the best fit option for their postsecondary needs. Key topics include:  NYS Support programs  Proprietary schools  Criteria of a well-balanced list for good-fit postsecondary options Tuesday, January 7, 2025 ($150) Thursday, January 30, 2025 ($150) Student Choice Through the Lens of Career One key skill of an effective college advisor is helping students find post-secondary opportunities that meet their interests by exposing students to multiple postsecondary pathways and encouraging students to explore viable careers. Key topics include:  Career Development Theory  Postsecondary Education Landscape  Labor Market Trends Tuesday, December 10, 2024 ($150) Thursday, January 9, 2025 ($150) Applications and Admissions Strong College Applications Effective college advisors must be skilled in helping students assemble and submit strong college applications. By comparing sample student applications, participants gain insight into an admission officer’s perspective and the relative importance of each component of the application. Participants also explore the value of advocacy in the college admissions process. Key topics include:  CUNY, SUNY, and Common Application features  Supporting students to write compelling essays  Elements of effective recommendation letters Tuesday, January 28, 2025 ($150) Thursday, February 13, 2025 ($150) contact us at: [email protected] 10 Financial Aid Application Process Financial Aid Application counseling can be the most intimidating of the critical skills required of college advisors. Yet, our students must be able to navigate the financial aid process and complete the FAFSA to successfully apply to college. An Options Institute keystone workshop, your comfort level with FAFSA will be forever changed. Key topics include:  How financial aid is awarded  5 critical questions in Financial Aid assessment: if you can answer these, you can answer any question!  FAFSA & TAP application details and tips Tuesday, November 19, 2024 ($150) Thursday, December 5, 2024 ($150) Financial Aid Counseling Financial Aid: Packages, Loans & Gap Helping students apply for financial aid is an important first step, but college advisors play a critical role ensuring that young people can afford their postsecondary education without untenable debt. Key topics include:  Sources of financial aid  Analyzing & comparing financial packages  Advising around sound financial decisions Tuesday, February 11, 2025 ($150) Thursday, March 6, 2025 ($150) contact us at: [email protected] 11 Youth Development in College Access Participants are introduced to the theoreti- cal and practical underpinnings of strong college access programs. Participants exam- ine their own program components to de- termine if they follow youth development best practice including aspects of resources, space and processes. Through group discussion and example scenarios, participants identify tools and opportunities to strengthen their college access programs. Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Thursday, March 27, 2025 College Access Counseling Skills Effective college access work requires strong counseling and communication skills. Partic- ipants delve into active listening, probing and informing skills, all needed to work effectively with young people. Participants learn an approach that puts the young per- son at the center, examine a range of com- mon counseling responses and practice us- ing effective skills in a range of situations. Participants engage in mock college coun- seling sessions and assess their own coun- seling skills and next steps. Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Thursday, April 3, 2025 Foundation Course for College Access Counseling—Certificate Course Counseling Series ($350) The Counseling Series sessions focus on building positive relationships with young people through strong communication skills, useful observation, effective feedback and uncondition- al positive regard. Prerequisite: You must have completed ALL six(6) Core Content sessions to register for the Counseling Series. Common Counseling Challenges Practicum & Culmination Building on College Access Counseling Skills, participants spend the day practicing skills, giv- ing feedback and discussing strategies in re- sponse to a variety of case scenarios concern- ing the college and financial aid processes. Drawn from real life situations, scenarios in- clude, but are not limited to, students who consistently miss appointments or fail to do follow-up; students whose academic perfor- mance will not allow them to get into their dream college or pursue their dream career; and disagreement between parents and stu- dent about where they should attend college. In closing, we will reflect on what was learned over the Foundation Course and Counseling Series and award certificates. Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Thursday, April 10, 2025 contact us at: [email protected] 12 The Foundation Course New to the college advising world? Then the Foundations Course will cover all the information you need to know. Been doing college access work for a while? Use the Foundations Course as a refresher to sharpen your skills. The Foundation Course is an opportunity for college counselors to enhance their skill and capacity to effec- tively counsel students and incorporate youth development best practices into their schools and programs. The core content seminars focus on guiding students through exposure and exploration of the college and career landscape, developing well-balanced postsecondary programs lists, submitting strong college appli- cations and accessing the best possible financial aid package. The Counseling Series, focuses on effective advising and program approaches. Foundation Course for College Access Counseling—Certificate Course Student Case Portfolio Each course participant is required to submit a portfolio demonstrating mastery gained from the core content seminars to a real student case. If participants do not have an appropriate student case to work with, we will provide a sample student. Portfolio submission is mandatory in order to earn the Course certificate. To receive a certificate for completing the Foundation Course, participants must attend all sessions and submit a satisfactory portfolio. The maximum cost for the Foundation Course is $1,250. Actual costs will vary, depending on previously completed coursework. Discounts are available for multiple attendees from the same organi- zation. See FAQ for more information or contact the Options Institute at [email protected]. Please register for the Foundation Course by Thursday, October 31,2024 receive the Early Bird Special Price. Register online at: https://optionsinstitute.member365.com/ Registration Certificate Requirement The Cost contact us at: [email protected] 13 Core Classes of the Foundation Course for College Access Counseling Series can be taken individually or as a track to a certificate! Counseling Series must be taken for the certificate. To register for the Foundation Series, enroll for all classes in the “Foundations Course Series” Foundation Course for College Access Counseling—Certificate Course SCHEDULE AND REQUIREMENTS—AT A GLANCE Core Content Seminars Dates Assessing Postsecondary Readiness (Pg. 9) Oct 15 Nov 14 Financial Aid Application Process (Pg. 10) Nov 19 Dec 5 Student Choice through the Lens of Career (Pg. 9) Dec 10 Jan 9 Researching and Evaluating Students Postsecondary Choices (Pg. 9) Jan 7 Jan 30 Strong College Applications (Pg. 9) Jan 28 Feb 13 Financial Aid Packages, Loans and Gap (Pg. 10) Feb 11 Mar 6 Portfolio Assignments The assignments are due on February 25, 2025 Counseling Series Spring Cohorts Youth Development in College Access Mar 11 Mar 27 College Access Counseling Skills Mar 18 Apr 3 Common Counseling Challenges Practicum & Culmination Mar 25 Apr 10 Total Cost: $1,250 These workshops will be held IN PERSON. contact us at: [email protected] 14 Who should attend the Course? The Course is designed for both new and experienced counselors working directly with students around college access. Past participants have included guidance counselors, college counselors, youth advocates, advisory teachers, and volunteers from non-profit organizations and schools. Participants with experience ranging from zero to more than 3 years in the field have found the course valuable. Will there be opportunity for networking? Making connections with colleagues is one of the benefits of the course. You will meet participants throughout the core content seminars. In the counseling series, you will have a consistent class of peers. If I start the Course and something changes, can I finish next year? Yes. You may apply your participation in the core content days towards completion of the Course for up to two years. How do I register for the Course? You can register for the Course online by visiting our website: https://optionsinstitute.member365.com/ Please be sure to register for all required classes, including all core content seminars and the counsel- ing series. Each can be purchased individually or as a bundle. I came to an Options seminar last year on a topic covered in the Course. Do I have to attend again this year to get the certificate? Contact us for information, but if you have taken a core content seminar in the past two years you may not have to repeat that session. I have more questions. Who can I ask? Contact the Options Institute at [email protected]. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) — FOUNDATION COURSE Are there any discounts? Yes, the total will range between $150 and $1,250.  Participants who have already attended one or more core content seminars may deduct the cost of those sessions.  Organizations sending multiple staff from the same organization are eligible for a discount. See chart. 1st Person $1,250 2nd Person +$950 3rd Person+ +$750 Participant Cost Per Person contact us at: [email protected] 15 Payment For more information contact us: E-mail: [email protected] Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00am- 5:00pm Discounts Refund Policy: If you are unable to attend a workshop for which you have registered, email [email protected] with at least a 48 hour notice to receive a full refund or credit for a future workshop. Course Cancellations: Options Institute reserves the right to cancel classes. In those instances participants will receive full refunds for the workshop, or credit to apply to another workshop. Payment with a Credit or Debit Card: Payment can be made with a card through the Options Institute member portal at : optionsinstitute.member365.com Click the “workshops” tab > “events calendar”. View the calendar, select the workshop you want to attend and click the register button. For payment choose the card option, add card information and purchase. Please note: we do not accept American Express Cards Payment by Purchase order/check: To pay with a purchase order/check, sign into your Portal at optionsinstitute.member365.com, register for the class and choose the “check” option, you will immediately be prompted to download an invoice. Our vendor number for Purchase Orders is: 131893908 01 Checks should be sent to: Goddard Riverside Options Center ATTN: Chad Franklin 352 West 110 Street New York, NY 10025 FOUNDATIONS EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! Register by October 31st Cost: $1,150 $1050 contact us at: [email protected] 16 Other Professional Development Services Customization Interested in custom team training? Email us at [email protected], with your organization’s name, a contact phone number and your training goals. We will work with you to craft the best training for your team. contact us at: [email protected] 17 Options Institute is located at: 352 West 110 Street New York, NY 10025 between Columbus and Manhattan Avenues Nearest Subway Stops: B or C train 110th Street Cathedral Parkway 1 train 110th Street — Broadway 2 or 3 train 110th Street—Central Park North Nearest Bus Stops: M7/M116 Bus Manhattan Ave. at Cathedral PKWY M3/M4 Bus Cathedral PKWY at Manhattan Ave. M11 Bus Columbus Ave. at W 110 St. Location contact us at: [email protected] 18 Connect with us online!