The Center for Community Partnerships Belong Program
The Belong Program is an independent living program for neurodiverse young adults (ages 18-26) who want to gain confidence and skills living independently with a roommate. The program is focused on developing confidence and skills in the six pillars of independent living: personal care skills, health & wellness, community transportation & participation, social & leisure participation, homemaking, and financial management.
Applications for the 2022-23 program year have closed. Applications for an August 2023 move in will open in Spring 2023. If you are interested in learning more information about the program, or if you would like to receive email updates about future application cycles, please reach out to Rebecca (rebecca.reinhardt@colostate.edu).
Additional Information
Who should apply?
Applicants should meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Are a neurodiverse young adult between the ages of 18-26
- Are his/her/their own legal guardian
- Have graduated from high school or have GED
- Are enrolled in post-high school courses OR have a job where they work a minimum of 12 hours/week
- Will commit to a one year apartment lease AND a one year Belong Program contract
- Are motivated to live on their own in a shared apartment with a roommate
- Have emerging independent living skills
- Are willing to set achievable goals to continue developing independent living skills through participation in the program
What can I expect in the Belong program?
Support will be individualized to each participant, based off of individualized goal setting at the beginning of the year and measured progress towards goals. Support levels will vary based on the support tier that the participant selects. The different kinds of support offered through participation in the program include:
- Community meetings
- Individualized 1:1 meetings
- Roommate meetings
- Social gatherings
What is the program cost?
The cost of the Belong Program are divided into two categories: rental cost for the apartment, and program fees for participation in the program.
Apartment rental cost:
- $1,210/unit ($605/room)
- Rental cost includes all utilities except electric & WiFi/Cable
- Rent will be paid monthly directly to the property management company
- Rental lease agreement will be from August 1, 2022-July 31, 2023
Belong Program fees:
- Base program fee is $500/month
- Additional tiers available for increased support levels
- Program fees are billed monthly and paid directly to the Center for Community Partnerships
- Program contract will be from August 1, 2022-July 31, 2023
What are the support tiers available?
Tier I ($500/month):
- Monthly 1:1 meeting
- Monthly roommate meeting
- Monthly social gathering
- Monthly community meeting
Tier II ($575/month):
- Twice a month 1:1 meeting
- Monthly roommate meeting
- Monthly social gathering
- Monthly community meeting
Tier III ($675/month):
- Weekly 1:1 meeting
- Monthly roommate meeting
- Monthly social gathering
- Monthly community meeting
**Additional individual meetings are available for add on at the rate of $75/hour, regardless of tier level.
Where would I be living?
- The apartment complex is located in northwest Fort Collins, off of Prospect & Overland (about 2.5 miles from CSU’s main campus)
- This complex is a short walking distance from the 2 & 32 TransFort bus routes
- There are four, 2 bedroom/1 bathroom units in the complex
- There is a common area for community gatherings
How will I find a roommate?
- All participants in the Belong program live with a roommate
- Applicants who are accepted into the Belong program will have social opportunities to get to know the other participants. Afterwards, participants will rank their roommate preferences individually with the program staff members
- Belong staff members will assign roommate pairs based off of roommate preference questionnaires and rankings
- Participants are also welcome to apply as a roommate pair, as long as both participants meet the required eligibility criteria for the program
What is the application process?
Applications for the upcoming program year are not yet open. Below is an anticipated application timeline (subject to change):
- Applications open: March 2023
- Select applicants will be invited to a program interview based off of their application. Interviews will likely take place in April 2023.
- Acceptances sent out by the end of May 2023.
- Accepted applicants will take part in program social activities to meet other participants in May 2023.
- Individualized goal setting and roommate meetings will take place in June & July 2023
- Move in day: August 1, 2023!