Individuals interested in becoming a Community Core Member with the CASS Academy must:

• Have a documented developmental or intellectual disability

• Be 18 or older and have graduated from high school

• Have the capacity to be independent and unsupervised while at CASS Programs

• Have a desire to grow in independent living skills

• Have reliable transportation within 30 minutes of start and end of CASS Academy

• Have the capacity to abide by the CASS Academy Code of Conduct. Failure to follow the code of conduct may result in meetings with the Core Member, Program Staff, and guardians, in addition to potential removal from CASS Academy.

Specifically, cohorts are designed to suit individuals who could be successful in our Independent Living or Guided Living housing models.

1. Fill out the CASS Academy Cohort Application and request a background check from Amanda (amanda@casshousing.org).

2. Background check is clear.

3. CASS Academy Cohort Application is submitted to Amanda by February 1, 2026.

4. CASS Academy non-refundable deposit of $30 is collected.

5. Independent Living Skills (ILS) Assessment is completed by April 1, 2026.

6. Assessments, application, and additional documents are reviewed by the CASS Housing Programming Committee.

7. Admission decisions for CASS Academy are communicated to the applicant and guardian, if applicable, by May 1, 2026.

8. Upon acceptance, the annual programming fee is sent to P.O. Box 10778, Fort Wayne, IN 46853, or paid online at https://www.casshousing.org/fees within 14 days of acceptance to secure the Core Member’s place in CASS Academy.

9. Upon acceptance, a meeting is scheduled with the Independent Living Skills Director in May or June of 2026 to review the CASS Academy Program Handbook and sign any additional documents needed.

If you are accepted into a CASS Academy cohort and are planning to make one payment, it will be due July 1, 2026.

If a payment plan works best for you, please check out the FAQ below.

Yes, payment plans are available. If a payment plan is requested, Installment 1 of $900 is due by July 1, and Installment 2 of $900 is due by December 1 each year. Please reach out to CASS staff should you need a monthly payment plan.

The program fee includes CASS Academy programming, CASS Cares volunteer events, a yearly assessment to monitor growth, and a CASS t-shirt.

Applicants pay a $50 fee for a background check and a $30 deposit before scheduling an Independent Living Skills (ILS) assessment. Both are required parts of the application process to help keep participants safe and ensure they’re set up for success in the program.

In order to meet the requirements to participate in the CASS Academy graduation, Core Members must meet attendance and participation requirements. Core Members will be expected to have a minimum attendance rate of 90% and a minimum participation rate of 80%. Attendance and participation will be evaluated and communicated at the end of each program session to gauge the Core Member’s progress. The average percentages of attendance and participation of all sessions will be used to determine if a Core Member meets graduation requirements.

Participation includes being an active participant in programs, completing homework fully and by the due date, and giving best effort for growth.

CASS Housing understands that illness, family emergencies, etc. may occur for Core Members.

Unexcused absences include no-shows, appointments such as haircuts, events with other staff, vacations, etc.

Attendance of Core Members is expected at CASS Academy Programs. Should a Core Member not be able to attend, the Core Member should let CASS Staff know in advance. This communication policy is for the safety of the Core Members and for planning purposes of CASS staff. Additionally, reporting absences is great practice for training skills needed in the workforce for Core Members.

In the event of severe weather, CASS will notify the location of programming two hours in advance. If Fort Wayne Community Schools closes, CASS programs may be held on Zoom. Links will be provided for Zoom programming. If Fort Wayne Community Schools delay, CASS Academy will take place.

In order to monitor growth and adjust curriculum for Core Member needs, CASS Housing requests that all Core Members participating in CASS Academy complete the Independent Living Skills assessment annually. These assessments will take place during the summer months, when the program schedule is most flexible.

In addition to basic school supplies like pencils, pens, and folders, Core Members should have an electronic device such as a laptop, iPad, or tablet. We require this to offer innovative learning opportunities that prepare members for life and the workforce.

If needed, CASS has a limited number of iPads available for use during CASS Academy sessions.

CASS Housing uses the Council for Exceptional Children's Life Centered Education (LCE) 2.0 Curriculum as a guide for programming. This curriculum is an in-depth educational program focusing on daily living skills, self-determination and interpersonal skills, and employment skills. LCE is designed specifically for individuals with disabilities and provides opportunities for Core Members to practice the problem-solving skills needed to be independent in society.

Additionally, CASS uses the Elevatus Training curriculum, which is designed for individuals with developmental disabilities. The Elevatus curriculum focuses on healthy relationships including personal and professional. Elevatus an evidence- and trauma-informed curriculum and was created in partnership with Project SEARCH.