funds to provide pre-employment transition services specifically to “Students with Disabilities.” A “Student with a Disability” is defined as an individual who: a) is enrolled in a secondary school (including home school or other alternative secondary education program), post-secondary education program, or other recognized educational program and has not exited, graduated, or withdrawn; b) is at least 14 years old but less than age 22; and c) has a disability documented with an IEP, 504 plan, medical records, or a doctor’s note.
TLC Outcomes currently offers four types of programs for youth and we continue to expand programs. We anticipate launching a program for freshman and sophomores by the spring of 2020. There are very few PreETS programs in Montgomery County freshman and sophomores. Currently Outcomes offers programs for transitioning youth that are juniors or seniors.
Workplace Success Program
TLC Outcomes piloted the Workplace Success Program in the summer of 2016. The first program stated in July of 2016 and ended in August of 2016. The first year we supported two individuals in one three-week program. The program has grown over the last three summers and we have increased the number of individuals served in the program and increased the program from three-weeks to four weeks. In the summer of 2019 we ran two Workplace Success Programs. One in July and one in August. Each program lasted four-weeks. We supported 25 youth in the programs this past summer, 13 in July and 12 in August. The program is appropriate for youth going into their senior year of high school or rising juniors. TLC Outcomes collaborates with a local retail provider to provide real hands on work experiences to help youth learn about the world of work and understand what it employer expectations on the job. Workplace Success Program includes learning about workplace behaviors and job seeking skills. Topics covered in the session include corporate culture, conflict management, workplace communication, resumes and cover letters, executive functioning and interviewing. Participants in this program have the opportunity to go on field trips to visit employers in the community for tours and informational interviewing to learn more about the types of employment opportunities and requirements to work in jobs. The program currently runs twice in the summer in July and August for four-weeks each month. The program has supported 45 youth since 2016. The program times are Monday – Thursday from 9:00am-4:30pm. This program is open to students that attend school in Maryland and have funding through DORS or private pay. Individuals begin and end the day here at our office in Rockville
Life After High School (LAHS)
TLC Outcomes piloted the Life After High School (LAHS) the fall of 2016. The pilot program was held at the Katherine Thomas High School the program began in September and ended in December. After the initial pilot, we began offering this after school program at the TLC Outcomes location. The program is suitable for youth going into their senior year of high school or rising juniors. In this 12 week two hour program topics covered, include interest inventories for work, social skills, training, job preparation, field trips to employers to tour worksites and speakers that present on post- secondary education and transitioning. The LAHS program served over 20 youth in FY 19. The program is on Monday or Thursday from 3:30pm-5:30pm for 12 weeks. Participants attend one class a week on Monday or Thursday here at the Outcomes office in Rockville. The DORS funded program has supported 88 youth since 2016. TLC Outcomes offers this program in the fall and again in the winter/spring to juniors and seniors in high school. The next session will begin in February 2020. This program is open to students that attend school in Maryland and have funding through DORS or private pay. We hope to offer this program in Prince Georges County starting in 2020.
Work Based Learning Experience (WBLE)
TLC Outcomes began collaborating with DORS for WBLE programs in March 2018. A WBLE provides students with the knowledge and skills that will help them connect school experience to real-life work activities and future career opportunities. Outcomes currently offers support for an unpaid WBLE. A WBLE lasts for a minimum of 6 weeks but no more than 8 weeks. TLC Outcomes as a Community Rehabilitation Provider (CRP) has a MOU with the employer that describes the support to the youth on the job and the goals of the WBLE for the individual. TLC Outcomes WBLE programs occur in the evenings or on a weekend day when youth are not in school. This program is open to individuals that attend school in Maryland and have funding through DORS. Outcomes supports youth that are juniors or seniors in high school. A DORS counselor refers directly to this program. Supports provided are one to one. This program is open to students that attend school in Maryland and have funding through DORS or private pay
Recognize your Potential Lift off Job Exploration Services (JES)
TLC Outcomes began providing JES services for youth 17-21 in 2019 to help identify career options post high school in 2019. The program lasts for 3-5 sessions and is a total of 8-10 hours. The specific length of the program is participant specific. Students participate in activities to identify interests, learn about personal skills, and values to determine how well they match a certain career. Activities assist with helping to understand job-specific skills and self-management skills. By the end of the program, the goal is that students will have more refined ideas as far as a career to pursue after high school and requirements to pursue employment. Supports provided are one to one or in small groups. A DORS counselor refers directly to this program. Supports provided are one to one. This program is open to students that attend school in Maryland and have funding through DORS or private pay.
Transitioning youth programs are popular and appear to be beneficial. In FY 19 we exceeded our goals. One goal was youth receiving a 50% improvement on tests from the pre-test on day one of the program to the post -test on the last day of the program for Workplace Success and LAHS programs. The actual was 91%. The satisfaction survey goal was 4.6 out of 5 for all PreETS programs and the actual was 4.7 out of 5.
Participant comments from youth that participated include,
In my life I can go however I choose, That there is a way I should conduct myself in an interview, I learned that life after high school is much harder but if you put in a lot of effort you can thrive, I liked that I learned many skills that will help me in the world, I learned more on the many job expectation and principals for work, I learned how to make a resume.
Contact TLC Outcomes Service if you are interested in learning more or participating in one of these programs: Karen Morgret, Director of Vocational Services and Quality Assurance, (240) 813-6909, kmorgret@ttlc.org
