The Center for Community Partnerships Belong Program
The Belong Program is an independent living program for neurodiverse young adults (18+) who want to gain confidence and independent living skills before, during, and after they transition to independent living. The program is designed to foster community and teach the all-important skills of self-reliance, self-advocacy, and self-care. The six pillars of independent living include personal care skills, health & wellness, community transportation and participation, social and leisure participation, homemaking, and financial management. Belong Participants receive individualized training to increase competence in all six pillars.
Applications for the Belong Program open in BOTH the Spring and Fall each year. See below for details:
It’s never too early to plan to live independently! If you have questions about the Belong Program, please reach out to Devin Barth by emailing devin.barth@colostate.edu.
Additional Information
Who should apply?
Applicants should meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Are a (self-identified or diagnosed) neurodiverse young adult over the age of 18
- Have graduated from high school or have a 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 independently
- Have emerging independent living skills
- Are willing to participate in an initial evaluation and set achievable goals to develop independent living skills
- Are seeking increased engagement in their community
What can I expect in the Belong program?
Support will be individualized to each participant, based on an independent living skills assessment and collaborative goal setting at admission and ongoing bi-annual re-evaluation to measure progress towards goals. Support levels will vary based on the admission evaluation scores. Participation in the Belong Program ALWAYS includes:
- Individual meetings
- Roommate meetings
- Community meetings
- Social gatherings
What is the program cost?
The cost of the Belong Program varies depending on admission evaluation scores.
| Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | Tier 4 | |
| Fee | $50/mo | $100/mo | $200/mo | $400/mo |
| Meeting Frequency | As needed | 1 individual meeting per month;
1 roommate meeting per month |
2 individual meetings per month;
1 roommate meeting per month |
1 individual meeting per week;
2 roommate meetings per month |
| Community Meetings | Monthly Participation Recommended | Monthly Participation Recommended | Monthly Participation REQUIRED | Monthly Participation REQUIRED |
| Social Gatherings | Monthly Participation Recommended | Monthly Participation Recommended | Monthly Participation REQUIRED | Monthly Participation REQUIRED |
Where would I be living?
- The Belong Program is working to develop lasting partnerships with a variety of Fort Collins communities.
- At this stage, Belong Program coordinators work individually with young adults and their support systems to secure housing within the community.
- The Belong Program can house 4 CSU students in off-campus living at Aggie Village.
What is the application process?
August Applicants:
- Applications open in March
- Select applicants will be invited to a program interview in early April
- Entry evaluation will be completed in early May
- Program acceptance letters will be sent out by the end of May.
- Supported housing search (if needed) will begin in May
- Move-in and programming will begin on August 1
January Applicants:
- Applications open in August
- Select applicants will be invited to a program interview in early September
- Entry evaluation will be completed in early October
- Program acceptance letters will be sent out by the end of October
- Supported housing search (if needed) will begin in October
- Move-in and programming will begin on Jan. 1