LifeWorks Bridge Academy
LIFEWORKSBRIDGE ACADEMY A Partnership with the Kentucky Community &Technical College System
The Bridge Academy combines KCTCS’s emphasis on education and career development with LifeWorks' essential personalized supports and daily living skills curriculum to better prepare neurodiverse students for the workforce and independent living.
Bridge Academy Services & Support
- Person-Centered Success Plan
- Independence Curriculum
- LifeWorks Liaison Meetings
- Goal Setting and Monitoring
- Group Study Sessions
- Campus and Community Connection
- Resource Discovery and Connection
- Self-Assessments and Data Tracking
- Family Education and Training
- Social and Extracurricular Enrichment
What is LifeWorks?
LifeWorks is a not-for-profit organization that empowers autistic young adults to successfully transition to lives of independence, self-direction, and employment.
We believe in providing person-centered support that is guided by each individual’s unique desires, goals, and strengths.
Qualifications to Participate:
- Must have a documented diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or other neurodiversity
- Must be in good academic standing with your KCTCS college
- Must be motivated toward independence with a desire to learn the skills necessary to live independently and more fully within the community
- Must have the motivation and desire to learn the skills necessary to participate in developing a career plan
LifeWorks Bridge Academy costs to students may be covered in full by OVR if Approved
What to expect while working with a Bridge Academy Liaison:
Your liaison serves as a bridge to HCTC resources and provides additional individualized support where needed, assists in developing a plan to optimize time management, class work and community engagement.
Benefits to having a LifeWorks Liaison
Your liaison is available 25 hours per week to assist you in navigating your academic and social success
This includes a one to one sessions to review course work, career readiness, community engagement, independent living skills and so much more. The Bridge Program is personalized, and you choose what you would like to participate in.
Personalized planning to fit your college, community and independent life skills needs
- We provide a study hall for 4 days per week, 3 hours per day so that you can participate at your pace, as you choose. The study hall also includes customized live and pre-recorded curriculum to assist in skills such as banking, money management and many more life enhancing services.
- The LifeWorks Bridge Academy blends the best of the HCTC academic structure and LifeWorks autism supports together.
- LifeWorks will assist you in streamlining all available support on campus and in the community, to ensure you can easily navigate programs to maximize your success!
Jennifer Riley Bridge Academy Liaison
Please welcome Jennifer Riley, Hazard Community & Technical College’s new LifeWorks Bridge Academy Liaison. Jennifer provides individualized support to students with neurodiversity, serving as a bridge between HCTC resources, LifeWorks services, and the broader community. She helps students develop plans for time management, coursework, independent living, and career readiness so they can thrive academically and personally.
Jennifer brings more than 25 years of experience in behavioral health counseling, case management, and community advocacy. She holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Florida Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with minors in Social Work and Interdisciplinary Women’s Studies from Morehead State University. She is a Temporary Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (TCADC) in Kentucky and has also taught Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Social Work courses as an adjunct instructor for KCTCS.
Her career spans roles as a counselor, service coordinator, and victim advocate, where she has conducted trauma-informed assessments, developed individualized service plans, and coordinated wraparound support for vulnerable populations. Jennifer is passionate about empowering students and connecting them with the resources they need to succeed.
“Helping students develop the life skills, confidence, and connections they need transforms not only their college experience but their future.” – Jennifer Riley
Contact
Hazard Community & Technical College
LifeWorks Bridge Academy
1 Community College Drive
Hazard, KY 41701
First Federal Building Room 105A
Office: (606)-487-3006
Cell: (606)-223-9484
Email: jriley0229@kctcs.edu
Overview of what to expect
In-Person Functions
- In person and online curriculum sessions
- 1:1 meeting twice per week if you choose
- Study hall hosted by your liaison, who can provide guidance in navigating course work, time management and connections to resources.
- Monthly group enrichment activities with peers
