High Technology Corridor on the Space Coast
Established in the fall of 2004, the Brevard Center is located on Florida's Space Coast, known as "the high-tech center of the Southeast". Melbourne is home to approximately 77,000 residents and is five minutes from miles of beautiful beaches. With an average temperature of 72 degrees, there is plenty of time to enjoy fun in the sun!
Exceptional Local College & Certificate Programs
The Brevard Center offers access to 12 local colleges and universities. The majority of college students start out at Brevard Community College (BCC), recognized as one of America's leading community colleges for quality in instruction, organization, and it’s innovative and leading-edge programs. Other available options are Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), University of Central Florida (UCF), Keiser University, Warner Southern College, Barry University, Columbia College, Everest University, Webster University and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. CIP works closely with the student disabilities offices to ensure accommodations are received.
C-STEP (Career Skills Training and Employment Program)
Students live in furnished apartments with a roommate. Each student has their own bedroom and bathroom and shares the laundry, kitchen, and living room. Some third or fourth year students live together, with one to three roommates, in off-campus housing. These students have their own bedroom and share the bathroom(s), laundry, kitchen and living room. Instruction is given in meal planning, food preparation, clean up, laundry, apartment maintenance, executive functioning and leisure skills. The Brevard Center is located directly across from Brevard Community College and University of Central Florida where the majority of students take classes. Within walking distance from student apartments are grocery stores, restaurants, banking, bookstores and coffee shops. Laundry rooms are located in the building.
Internship & Career Opportunities
Our goal is for every student to have an internship or job so that they can begin or continue developing their career skills. If a student is enrolled in college, their internship will typically be just a few hours per week. Some students hold one or two internships or jobs up to 20 hours per week. Our students' diverse vocational interests include performing arts, business/office assistance, tutoring and video game development and working with computers, animals, and children.
Internship and job placements have included: Computer Experts, East Coast Computer Services, Inc., an occupational therapy office, a law office, South Adult Education Center (tutoring), BCC Language Lab, BCC Child Development Center, Habitat for Humanity, the Brevard Zoo, Animal Adoption Center, Harmony Farms (therapeutic riding for disabled individuals), Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Satellite Beach Public Library, Space Coast Early Intervention Center, DRS SSI, Inc. (an engineering firm), Easter Seals, Home Depot, Staples, Southland Suites (Assisted Living Center), car detailing, sports photography, Brevard Manatees Stadium, Suntree Pharmacy, BCC Women's Basketball, Astro Too (recycled electronic parts), Bridges (developmental disability organization), the Rosseter House (historic museum), the Henegar Performing Arts Center and the Foreign Car Care Clinic.
Health & Wellness
CIP is deeply committed to promoting the wellness of each and every student. CIP offers wellness sessions lead by experienced staff members who assist in identifying that balance of wellness through nutrition, exercise, yoga, stress reduction practice, walking clubs, local health clubs, volleyball team and many more modern and innovative techniques.
Comfortable Apartment Living
Students live in furnished apartments with a roommate. Each student has their own bedroom and bathroom and shares the laundry, kitchen, and living room. Some third or fourth year students live together, with one to three roommates, in off-campus housing. These students have their own bedroom and share the bathroom(s), laundry, kitchen and living room. Instruction is given in meal planning, food preparation, clean up, laundry, apartment maintenance, executive functioning and leisure skills. The Brevard Center is located directly across from Brevard Community College and University of Central Florida where the majority of students take classes. Within walking distance from student apartments are grocery stores, restaurants, banking, bookstores and coffee shops. Laundry rooms are located in the building.
Coordinated Weekend Activities
Weekend recreational activities are very important opportunities for students to put into practice the social competencies they are developing. Every weekend, several activities are planned and transportation provided. Students may also propose alternate activities. Students enjoy a variety of entertainment at the Maxwell King Center, the Henegar Center and the Museum of Art and Science. For those interested in sports the Washington Nationals and Brevard Manatee baseball teams play at Space Coast Stadium nearby. Popular places to shop and dine include the Avenues at Viera, the Melbourne Square Mall and historic downtown Melbourne. Less than an hour away is Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral and Orlando - home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Wet-n-Wild, Aquatica and Sea World. We have an "activities meeting" every week lead by the Residential Coordinator, where students are involved in choosing and planning the events.
Exciting Travel Opportunities
Students enrolled at CIP have the option of attending a fun and educational travel program one week a year during the college spring break in March. Students prepare for this trip through a series of class meetings in which they study the language, arts, culture and trip itinerary. Each year an exciting new world destination is chosen. As part of the spring break experience students often participate in community service. Besides being able to help those in need, this experience instills leadership and develops character. These trips are an excellent opportunity for students to travel and broaden their horizons in a safe, supervised atmosphere. CIP past trips include England, Ireland, Italy, The Caribbean, France, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Ecuador, The Galapagos Islands, Chile, Belize and most recently Greece.
Student Senate
The student senate with the guidance of a CIP staff member provides students the opportunity to develop and refine their leadership skills through event planning and fundraising. These events range from game nights, movie nights and dances to Halloween parties, Super Bowl parties and more. In addition to functioning as an opportunity to develop leadership and social skills the student senate also plays a critical role in providing valuable feedback to the staff concerning program improvement.
