Slide 1: Way2Work Maryland
Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) &
University of Maryland.
Slide 2: What is Way2Work?
5-year research project .
Random design.
Funded by: U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration.
Awarded to: Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) in partnership with University of Maryland, College Park (Others: CA, MA, ME, VT).
Slide 3: Why Way2Work?
Research shows:
Low school completion rates.
Low employment rate.
Youth on SSI.
Low postsecondary and/or vocational rehabilitation enrollment rates.
Structure of services to transition to competitive employment may also be a barrier to achieving self-sufficiency and independence.
Slide 4: Purpose of Way2Work.
To provide effective work-based learning experiences in coordination with other transition services, including pre-employment transition services and customized employment, to students with disabilities to ensure that those students are prepared for postsecondary education and competitive integrated employment.
Slide 5: How?
Test intervention on 400 students.
200 receive ‘services as usual’.
200 receive ‘enhanced services’.
Request For Proposal (RFP) process.
6-8 LEAs selected to participate (currently Worcester, Carroll, Charles, and Harford).
$50,000 for each LEA.
Slide 6: Enhanced Services Model
Early engagement in Pre-ETS DORS services.
A minimum of two (2) work-based learning experiences.
At least one (1) paid experience , which can be full or part time, where the student: is hired and paid directly by the employer.
Strategic and active collaboration and coordination of services among representatives from LEA, DORS, CRPs, AJCs and postsecondary institutions and other entities.
Slide 7: Ensuring Fidelity.
Technical Assistance to:
Developing infrastructure for communication and seamless transition.
CoP.
Training for staff on job development and placement.
Assistance in defining the interagency transition team.
Tracking student progress toward employment success.
Slide 8: Benefit.
Customized Training and TA for professional staff development.
Enhanced transition planning for participating students.
Boosts to IDEA Indicators 13 and 14 compliance and outcomes.
Capacity building for best practice services and a committed local team.
A Jumpstart to using and understanding Pre-ETS funding.
Follow-up data.
Slide 9: Cohort #1 Project Sites.
Worcester County.
Carroll County.
Charles County.
Harford County.
Slide 10: Cohort #2
RFP Release Date: Thursday, November 2, 2017.
Pre-Bid Info Calls: November 13, 2017 12PM , November 16, 2017 4PM.
Call number: 1-866-247-6034
Conference call code: 6821843109#
RFP Due Date: December 18, 2017
11:59 p.m. EST
Slide 11: Questions?
2