Employment Training Programs
HCPSS provides multiple opportunities for students with disabilities to engage in meaningful work experiences prior to exiting the school system. In addition to HCPSS work programs, there are opportunities outside of the school that can provide work opportunities as well for students with disabilities. Several of these programs are highlighted below.
Jump to: Career and Community Exploration (CCE) | Work Study | Community Connection | Project SEARCH | Additional Program
Career and Community Exploration (CCE)
Career and Community Exploration (CCE) is a community-based work and career exploration program for students who are a) seeking a certificate of completion and b) age 16+ and/or in 11th grade and c) may require a higher degree of support or supervision.
CCE involves group work sites supervised by special education personnel, providing a transition step from school to independent work experiences. The intent of the CCE 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.
Students may enroll in CCE via a referral from a CCE Liaison or IEP Team Consensus.
- Attitudes and skills necessary to work
- Independent work skills
- Social interaction skills
- Exploration of a variety of work sites
- 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
Work Study
Designed for students 16 years of age and older who are seeking a Certificate of Completion, Work Study is customized employment program that is directly related to the student’s interests and transition goals on the Individual Education Program (IEP). With a focus on career exploration and work readiness skills, Work Study provides a structured, supervised work experience in a business or other community organization. A teacher works closely with the student and the employer to ensure satisfactory job performance.
- Allowing opportunities for students who demonstrate ability to work independently.
- Providing a level of worksite support as determined by the IEP team.
- Allows for paid or unpaid training opportunities.
- Provides bus transportation by the school system.
- Coordinating job development, placement and retention activities.
- Providing job coaching, as needed.
- Maintaining consistent communication with the employer.
- Assisting with development of the student’s portfolio or resume.
For more information on Work Study, please contact your transition specialist.
Community Connection
Community Connection is a community inclusive transition program located on the Howard Community College campus, designed for students with mild to moderate disabilities who are in their final years of public school education. The program eases the transition to independent adult life and helps students develop the skills (listed below) essential for success in work, social, and community environments. Students sharpen these skills while working and functioning in the community, with guidance and support from Community Connections staff.
- Be able to function independently with minimal supervision
- Demonstrate satisfactory attendance and behavior
- Typically has completed at least four years in high school
- Be seeking a Maryland High School Certificate of Completion (rather than diploma)
- Have Individual Education Program goals and transition plans that are vocationally based
- Finding employment
- Workplace skills
- Financial literacy (money management, budgeting, and shopping)
- Appropriate behavior in work and social settings
- Navigating independently
- Self advocacy
- Recreation and leisure
For more information on Community Connection, please contact the secondary transition resource team.
Project SEARCH: Howard County
Project SEARCH: Howard County is a one-year, 30-week transition program designed for HCPSS students with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are in their last year of high school. The program targets individuals whose main goal is employment, and who will benefit from full-time career exploration in a business setting.
The Project SEARCH model involves an extensive period of training and career exploration, innovative adaptations, long-term job coaching, and continuous feedback from teachers, job coaches, and employers. As a result, at the completion of the training program, students with significant intellectual disabilities are employed in non-traditional, complex, and rewarding jobs.
This program is a collaborative effort of the Howard County Public School System, Howard County Government, Arc of Howard County, and the Division of Rehabilitation Services, Maryland State Department of Education. The cornerstone of the 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.
- Be an HCPSS student pursuing a diploma or certificate
- Be in their last year of public school eligibility
- DDA and DORS eligible
- Able to work independently
- Have a strong desire to work
- Three 10-week internships in Howard County Government departments.
- On-the-job training provided by coaches/instructor.
- Workplace behavior training.
- Ongoing monitoring of intern performance.
For more information about Project SEARCH, please contact the secondary resource team.
Additional Work Program Offered Outside of HCPSS
The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) partners with people with disabilities who want to maintain employment or become employed.