Emory Oaks: A GVRA Provider Empowering Autistic Students at Emory University

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 22.7% of individuals with a disability (including autistic adults) over the age of 16 are employed, highlighting a significant opportunity for growth and inclusion in education and the workforce. Leading efforts to create change is Emory Oaks, an approved provider through the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA). Emory Oaks is a comprehensive support program for autistic students enrolled at Emory University helping to pave the way toward their academic and career success.

The Start of Emory Oaks

Dr. Matthew Segall, Director of Emory Oaks and an Assistant Professor at the Emory Autism Center, has over two decades of experience supporting college autistic students. Reflecting on the launch of Emory Oaks, he emphasizes that dedicated funding was essential for building a sustainable and impactful program.

“Doing this kind of work in a structured and programmatic way, as we are now, was not possible without initial seed funding or financial investment to get it off the ground,” said Dr. Segall. “As part of Emory University, we benefit from a strong foundation, but it is because of dedicated external funding that we are able to make a meaningful impact through Emory Oaks.”

In 2020, Dr. Segall and Kelsey Bohlke, Assistant Director of Emory Oaks, were selected as subject matter experts on a one-year, grant-funded planning initiative, focused on developing interventions to support improved employment outcomes for disabled adults. The University of Georgia (UGA) led the grant in partnership with Georgia State University’s (GSU) Center for Leadership in Disability. Both institutions are home to University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), which co-led the effort.

The initiative, titled Georgia College Transition Partnership (GCTP), convened a diverse group of stakeholders, including GVRA’s Jeff Allen, Provider Relations Administrator, and Rebecca Williamson, Strategic Initiatives Manager, members of the Georgia developmental disabilities network, and a host of autistic self-advocates and students to refine the Emory Oaks model, mission, and vision for sustainability. By fall 2021, the GCTP team was awarded an implementation grant to launch the pilot program, Emory Oaks.

Support Navigation: A Personalized Approach

“What makes this program unique is the role of the support navigator in helping students build skills and confidence,” said Ben Dell, GVRA’s Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and Project SEARCH Coordinator. “Sometimes, students just need to be shown how to ask for help — especially when navigating the complexities of a university system.”

At the heart of Emory Oaks is its individualized support navigation model. Staff meet with students weekly to offer tailored mentoring, academic advising, and campus and community resources connections.

Support Navigators assist students in achieving a wide range of personal and academic goals through individualized guidance in the following areas:

• Academic Support: Helping students apply for accommodation, develop effective organization and time management systems, and connect with academic coaching or tutoring resources.
• Social Support: Fostering a sense of belonging by encouraging campus involvement, supporting interactions with faculty, and guiding students in navigating peer relationships.
• Vocational Support: Assisting students in exploring career paths by identifying internship and volunteer opportunities and providing support with job applications and graduate school preparation.
• Well-being Support: Helping students build coping skills, establish healthy routines for eating and sleeping, and connect with specialized healthcare or mental health providers.

This hands-on, holistic approach has led to remarkable outcomes, including a 100% retention and graduation rate, with every participating student completing their degree. Many students in the program pursue graduate degrees in various fields and disciplines.

GVRA-Supported Education

Accessing Emory Oaks begins with applying for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services through GVRA. The first step is submitting a referral form to determine eligibility for Supported Education services. The application and intake process typically takes about two months and includes documentation and meetings with students to match them with appropriate services.

In addition to personalized support, GVRA helps offset program-related expenses, such as participation fees for Emory Oaks, making the program more accessible to eligible students and families. GVRA has also assisted with housing and tuition costs and access to funding for counseling and assistive technology for Emory Oaks students.

Looking Ahead

This fall, 30 students, a mix of undergraduate and graduate students, are enrolled at Emory Oaks. Among Emory Oaks alumni (over 20 students since 2023), 75% have identified clear and concrete post-graduation plans, including full-time employment, graduate school, or internships aligned with their career goals.

With continued support from GVRA and Emory University, Emory Oaks helps students succeed in college and prepares them to lead fulfilling, independent lives beyond the classroom.

For more information regarding Emory Oaks and the Emory Autism Center, please visit the following webpages below:

Emory Oaks | Emory School of Medicine

Emory Autism Center | Emory School of Medicine