The Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) Department of Special Education is dedicated to ensuring students successfully transition from high school into adulthood. Recognizing the diverse needs and aspirations of its students, AACPS offers a comprehensive suite of community-based Aacps Career Change Programs. These programs are thoughtfully designed to provide invaluable real-world experience, fostering skill development in both workplace and higher education settings. Through partnerships with local businesses and organizations, students gain practical skills while contributing meaningfully to their community, all under the supportive umbrella of the school system.
AACPS understands that navigating career changes and transitions can be a significant step for students. To address this, they have developed specialized programs, each with a unique focus and approach, to cater to different student needs and career aspirations. Below is an overview of the transition programs available within AACPS, offering pathways for students seeking effective aacps career change programs.
Enclave Training Program
The Enclave Training Program offers students a vital stepping stone into the working world through non-paid work experience. This program is strategically designed to cultivate essential job-related competencies that are crucial for long-term employment success. Participants hone vital social skills, sharpen problem-solving abilities, and enhance safety awareness—all within real workplace environments. Students in the Enclave program dedicate three days a week to their assigned job sites, gaining exposure to two different job placements throughout the year. This rotation broadens their experience and allows them to explore varied career paths. The program boasts a diverse network of Enclave sites, including prominent establishments such as Giant Food, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Michael’s Arts & Crafts, South County Senior Center, and CiCi’s Pizza, among numerous others, offering a wide array of experiences for students exploring aacps career change programs.
Supported Employment Program
For students ready to take the next step towards paid employment, the Supported Employment Program provides crucial assistance in securing and maintaining jobs. Transition staff work collaboratively with students and their families, acting as guides in identifying job opportunities that align with the student’s individual interests and skill sets. A key component of this program is the provision of initial job coaching. This personalized support helps students smoothly integrate into their new roles and master their responsibilities. As students gain confidence and proficiency, the coaching gradually reduces, fostering independence. The ultimate goal of the Supported Employment Program is to empower students to maintain their employment autonomously and build a foundation for sustained career success into their adult lives. AACPS has cultivated strong community partnerships with a range of employers who actively participate in supported employment, including Giant Food, UPS, Friendly’s, Sam’s Club, Old Navy, Safeway, Graul’s Market, and Harley Davidson, among others, providing diverse opportunities for students seeking aacps career change programs that lead to paid employment.
On-Campus Transition Program
The On-Campus Transition Program offers a unique two-year experience hosted at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC). This program is specifically designed for students in their final two years with AACPS, providing an age-appropriate and enriching environment for continued growth. Participants engage in college-level courses, further developing essential life skills and receiving functional academic instruction, all while immersing themselves in the vibrant college campus atmosphere. Recognizing that many Special Education students remain in high school until the age of 21, this program offers a vital bridge to adulthood. It provides an opportunity to continue their education in a more mature setting while still benefiting from the support systems of both AACPS and community college staff. This program is an excellent option for students looking at aacps career change programs that incorporate further education and independent living skills development within a college environment.
Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH stands out as an innovative, business-led transition program, operating entirely within the facilities of a host business. This intensive one-year program is a collaborative effort between AACPS, Sheppard Pratt Health Systems, The Arc of Central Chesapeake Region, and the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Currently, Anne Arundel County hosts two Project SEARCH sites: Hilton BWI and Anne Arundel Medical Center. Students participate in three comprehensive 10-week internships, gaining exposure to a wide spectrum of service-oriented professional roles. While direct employment with the host organization is a possibility after the internship, all students complete the program with valuable professional work experience to enrich their resumes. Project SEARCH provides a robust pathway for students exploring aacps career change programs focused on professional internships and competitive employment in service industries.
Start On Success (SOS)
Start On Success (SOS) is a dynamic internship program, forged through a partnership between AACPS, Humanim—a non-profit organization dedicated to workforce development for individuals with disabilities—and the Division of Rehabilitation Services. This program offers 12th-grade students paid internships at Baltimore Washington Medical Center (BWMC). Internship placements are carefully matched to students’ skill sets and interests, spanning departments such as the Emergency Room, Mail Room, and Childcare/Pediatrics. Beyond hands-on job training, SOS students also participate in classroom sessions focused on developing crucial “soft skills.” These sessions cover effective communication, resume building, interview strategies, and job search techniques, equipping students with a holistic skillset for career success. At the conclusion of the four-month program, Humanim provides personalized support to each student, assisting them in finding and securing employment post-graduation. SOS is a highly effective option for students seeking aacps career change programs that combine paid internships with comprehensive job readiness training and direct employment support.
For those seeking further information about any of these impactful aacps career change programs, please reach out to Michele Dilegge, Transition Specialist, at [email protected].
