At BTC, we recognize the unique needs of students embarking upon a retraining program or attending college for the first time - either right out of high school, as an adult learner, or shifting career focus after an injury. We understand that the needs of Labor & Industries (L&I), the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and Community Transitions (CT) students - and their vocational counselors - are unique and require additional support and facilitation. We strive to work intentionally with vocational counselors and CT professionals as they navigate the complexities and rigors of higher education. 

Students receiving vocational counselor support are most often challenged by one or more disabilities. When going through the BTC Admissions Steps, we want to ensure students make a connection with Accessibility Resources at the beginning of their education. This way, we provide an early opportunity for students to learn about - and request - the academic accommodations that may help them fully access their courses and programs.

This page is dedicated to the specific needs of these three student populations. Please select the population that best reflects you or your student and follow the directions to start off your training at BTC on the right foot!

At BTC, we appreciate vocational counselors choosing our college for their clients' retraining. We also understand the needs of L&I students and their vocational counselors are unique and require additional support, information, and facilitation.

Students attending BTC and receiving retraining benefits through L&I quite often benefit from setting up their accommodation early in their entry process. To better support the success of our L&I students, the following Admissions Process is specific for L&I Option 1 students. (For Option 1 & 2 students and vocational counselors, please see FAQs at the bottom of this page):

1. Apply for Admission to BTC
2. Assess Your Starting Point by completing Guided Self-Placement

The Guided Self-Placement is not a test; it is a free questionnaire that measures your comfort and familiarity with college-level math and English. It takes about 25–30 minutes to complete. After you finish, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link at the bottom to schedule your GET Started Meeting to establish an educational plan tailored to your program and your needs. NOTE: You are not required to enroll in the course level suggested by your Guided Self-Placement results; they are simply a talking point with your Navigator. 

3. Since you are working with L&I there are a few additional steps you will want to complete at any time during your enrollment process.  Please Fill out the BTC Accessibility Resources Application. Once the AR Application is filled out, submitted, and you are registered for classes, we will be able to schedule an Access Planning Meeting with Accessibility Resources to determine college-level accommodations.
4. Additionally, you must submit a FERPA form so the college can communicate with your L&I counselor. The FERPA must be completed by the student and delivered in person, or send to Registration@btc.edu by the student, from the student’s personal or BTC email on file.
5. Attend your scheduled Access Planning Meeting (APM) with Accessibility Resources. Your L&I vocational counselor is encouraged to attend with you. At your APM, you will discuss:
   • Your educational and vocational history
   • Your disability challenges
   • Your program of choice and possible accommodations

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is a statewide resource assisting people with disabilities to prepare for, secure, maintain, advance in, or regain employment. DVR partners with organizations and businesses to develop employment opportunities. DVR serves people who seek meaningful, secure employment but whose disabilities may result in one or more barriers to achieving an employment goal. ~ About DVR sourced from the DVR website

BTC partners with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and has helped students with disabilities acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to obtain and maintain employment opportunities.

Students working with DVR counselors may require accommodations in order to participate in the courses and programs offered at BTC.   

To support the success of our DVR students, please follow this Admissions Process:

1. Apply for Admission to BTC

2. Assess Your Starting Point

3. Completely fill out an Accessibility Resources Application 

4. Attend your scheduled Access Planning Meeting (APM) with Accessibility Resources - your DVR counselor is encouraged to attend with you. At your APM, you will discuss:

   • Your educational and vocational history
   • Your disability challenges and history of accommodation
   • The differences between high school and college for students with disabilities
   • Your program of choice and possible accommodations

5. Concurrently, sign up for a GET Started Session to establish an educational plan tailored to your program and your needs.

Community Transitions (CT) is a Special Education program within Bellingham Public Schools that serves students through the age of 21. Students often encounter a new set of adult challenges which require different responses as they leave the high school setting. CT provides a full continuum of services intended to prepare students with mild to severe disabilities for a successful transition to independent living, employment and/or post secondary training. ~ Sourced from the Bellingham Public Schools CT website

Accessibility Resources staff work directly with CT counselors and their students to navigate and acclimate to the expectations and rigor of college learning. If you are a CT student, counselor, or parent, please have your student follow these Admissions Steps:

1. Apply for Admission to BTC

2. Assess Your Starting Point

3. Completely fill out an Accessibility Resources Application 

4. Attend your scheduled Access Planning Meeting (APM) with Accessibility Resources - your CT counselor is encouraged to attend with you. If it is okay with the student, a parent or guardian may attend. Please keep in mind the parent or guardian is there to support the student through the process. You, as the prospective student, will be asked to discuss:

   • Your educational history
   • Your disability challenges and history of accommodation
   • The differences between high school and college for students with disabilities
   • Your program of choice and possible accommodations
     
     

5. Concurrently, sign up for a GET Started Session to establish an educational plan tailored to your program and your needs.

• Can a third party (voc counselor, parent, etc.) submit a FERPA Release Form for the student?

  No. Students must submit their signed FERPA Release Form, register for classes, and do all the work any other student would do. Signed FERPA Forms should be submitted at the front desk of Registration/Enrollment Services.

• How do I make sure students have a FERPA Release Form on file with BTC?

  Once a student fills out a FERPA Release Form, the student must submit the form to the BTC Registration Department. If you are unsure if a student has given you FERPA rights, you may contact the BTC Admissions and Enrollment Department at registration@btc.edu. 

• If my student signs a FERPA Release Form and gives me rights, are there limitations to my rights?

  Yes. FERPA pertains to the release of records only. It does not give others the right to act on the student's behalf or to change their records.

  If the student DOES sign a Student Release of Records form:

  • College staff and faculty are not required to provide information on student progress, attendance, grades, or accommodations directly to third parties, include vocational counselors and parents.
  • FERPA pertains to the release of student educational records only. It does not give others the right to act on a student's behalf, to change their records, or to individually meet or make contact with college staff without the student present.
  • A third party who logs into the website or identifies themselves with someone else's student identification constitutes improper use and is a violation of State and Federal privacy laws.

• Who is my first point of contact at BTC for L&I, DVR, and CT?

  To streamline processes, BTC has identified the Director of Accessibility Resources as the point of contact for L&I, DVR, and CT personnel. If you have questions regarding your students' retraining. please email ar@btc.edu or phone 360-752-8576.

• To make sure my student is progressing, is it okay for me to log into their Canvas Site or BTC Portal?

  No. This is a privacy violation and against college policy and federal privacy laws.

  If you need to know your students' progress you should (a) ask your student to share their progress or (b) request a Progress Report from BTC by emailing ar@btc.edu. 

• Where should I send the Encumbrance Form?

  Bonita Bowhay is the point of contact for Encumbrance Forms at BTC. Email the Encumbrance Form to bbowhay@btc.edu or FAX to 360-752-7385.

• How do students get their books and materials using their encumbrance?

  Approximately one week before quarter start, students need to go to, or contact, the Campus Store, located in A Building, with their registration and photo ID. They must let the Campus Store personnel know they have funding through a third party.

• Does the student need to take the Encumbrance Form with them each time they purchase books and materials at BTC?

  No. The third party funding information is added to the Campus Store system by the BTC Business Office.

• Is there a window of time that students with encumbrances can purchase items from the Campus Store?

  Yes. the window begins one week prior to quarter start. Please check with the Campus Store staff to know when funding closes for third party funding.

• What is BTC's L&I Provider Number?

  33717 is BTC's L&I Provider Number.

• How do I request a Progress Report for my clients from BTC?

  The most efficient way to request a Progress Report for your client by emailing ar@btc.edu. The form will be sent to the indicated instructor(s) for feedback, then returned to the vocational counselor.

• What is the process for L&I Option 2 students?

  Without vocational counselor support, Option 2 students are expected to complete Part A of the Option 2 Training Application each quarter they are in attendance. The student must drop off the completed form to the BTC Cashier. They will make sure the form is submitted to the BTC Business Office.