Opportunities for On-Site Employment Training

Highlights:

• 30-week program (follows HCPSS calendar).
• Three 10-week internships in Howard County Government departments.
• Interns are volunteers.
• On-the-job training provided by coaches/instructor.
• Workplace behavior training.
• Ongoing monitoring of intern performance.

The cornerstone of this one-year program is total immersion in the Howard County local government offices. Participants are onsite at the business each school day for a minimum of six hours for an entire academic year, 10-months.

When is SOS?

The internship takes place from early February through May (before final exam week), Monday through Friday, 1:00-3:30 pm. Schedules may be adjusted, as needed. Job development services will continue through the summer or until the student obtains a paid job in the community. Job coaching services will be provided until the student maintains a job for 90 consecutive days.

Who is eligible for SOS?

Students eligible for SOS will be in their senior/exiting year of high school. Students must be diploma seeking. Potential candidates for the SOS program must have an open case and be deemed eligible through the Division of Rehabilitation Services (MSDE), to be accepted into SOS.

The SOS student is independent and a self-starter. He/she should be motivated, enthusiastic, and willing to learn new tasks. The student’s school schedule must be able to accommodate the internship days and times.

Student Eligibility

• Able to function independently with minimal supervision
• Demonstrates satisfactory attendance and behavior
• Typically has completed at least four years in high school
• Seeking a Maryland High School Certificate of Completion (rather than diploma)
• Individual Education Program goals and transition plans are vocationally based

Referral to the Community Connection Program is based on an IEP Team recommendation.

Work Study:

• Allows opportunities for students who demonstrate ability to work independently.
• Provides a level of worksite support as determined by the IEP team.
• Designed for students 16 years of age and older who are seeking either a Certificate of Completion or diploma.
• Allows for paid or unpaid training opportunities.
• Provides bus transportation by the school system.

Goals of Work Study:

• Career Exploration.
• Development of work readiness skills.

Overview

Career and Community Exploration Experiences enable students who may require a higher degree of support or supervision, to experience a community-based vocational program and receive a certificate of completion. CCE involves group work sites supervised by special education personnel that provide a transition step from school to independent work experiences.

In addition to gaining specific skills, CCE students learn work behaviors and attitudes, including:

• Following directions from a variety of supervisors
• Completing the job
• Increasing independent work time while decreasing the amount of supervision needed
• Taking pride in one’s own work
• Seeking assistance when needed
• Using effective, socially-appropriate communication skills

The intent of the program is to give students an opportunity to sample a variety of experiences, demonstrate their ability to use learned skills in different settings, and ultimately, to use these skills in an independent work experience.