The College Connection
Baltimore, Maryland
Contact
Frances R. Widdick
Program Coordinator
Baltimore County Public Schools/CCBC-Essex
CCBC-Essex
7201 Rossville Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21237
Phone: 410-780-6868
E-mail: widdick@tx.netcom.com
Mission
The intention of The College Connection is to provide an age-appropriate setting for students to participate in the educational process during their transition years at school. Students are introduced to adult activities and life skills needed to make a transition from public school to work and adult life. The College Connection fosters the support needed for a smooth transition from school to work and adult life.
Organization
Organization Type: Community college or two-year college, Education Agency: Local, School, Rehabilitation Agency: State
Geographical Area: Metropolitan area
Primary Setting: Community-based training site, Community college (two-year college), Self-contained class in public school, Competitive employment worksite, Sheltered employment worksite, Supported employment worksite
Funding: No special external funding source
Consumers
Target Population: Postsecondary education students with disabilities, Secondary education students with disabilities
Disability Areas: Hearing impairment, Mental retardation (mild, moderate), Multi-disabled (more than two), Speech impairment, Epilepsy, Other (Spina Bifida, CP, Prader Will)
NTA Framework Categories
Description
The College Connection, Baltimore County Public Schools college outreach program, is designed for individuals with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. Located on the Essex campus of the Community College of Baltimore County, The College Connection serves individuals aged 18 to 21 years who continue to need special education or who have transition needs, as evidenced by their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Students who turn 21 the first day of the school year or thereafter are eligible to complete the year as their last.
Following the entrance process through the A.R.D. (admission, review and dismissal) team, selection of students for the college program is made, in part, based on the level of independence and mobility of the prospective candidate. This point was generally agreed upon by the parents, counselors and teachers involved and thus helped determine the individualized nature of program development for each student.
The core areas covered by The College Connection are Functional Communication, Functional Life Skills, Personal Math/Finance, Transition to Work, and Community Work Experience. Functional Communication instruction includes listening skills, following directions, social conversation and oration. Personal Math/Finance instruction includes money skills, time management, banking skills and budgeting skills. In the Functional Life Skills curriculum, students learn mobility skills, social skills, and informational skills. They also learn about college classes as well as recreation and leisure. Transition to Work instruction includes interview techniques and strategies, resume writing, career exploration and personal work adjustment. Finally, in the Community Work Experience curriculum, the students learn work skills through enclave, individual, and service learning work experiences.
Vocational skills are an essential component of The College Connection. Vocational assessment is performed by a vocational evaluator, a service provider vocational evaluator, or through informal vocational assessments and/or job sampling. Students receive instruction in job readiness skills including career exploration, job research skills, application/resume processing skills, interview techniques, social skills on the job, and money management skills.
Students work on or off campus. A transition facilitator assists the teacher and student in finding employment. Employment settings include the college campus, for example, in the bookstore, the early childhood learning center, the library or grounds crew. Upon graduation from The College Connection, one student interviewed with Maintenance at the college and was hired as a part-time employee working with the grounds crew. Other students find employment in the county school system in positions such as food service workers, teacher assistants or janitors. Students are also employed in the community. The transition facilitator assists with transportation and planning for employment. However, transportation is often provided via school bus.
Evidence of Success
Success Story
"A" was enrolled in The College Connection, Baltimore County Public Schools Life Skills College Outreach Program from the 1995 through the 1997 school year. While in the outreach program, "A" volunteered at the Maryland School for the Blind in the mailroom. He was also a library assistant in an elementary school and received a stipend. "A" graduated in 1998 and went on to volunteer with the maintenance department of the college for a summer training period. In the fall, he was added to the maintenance department payroll. He currently works 24 hours a week at $7.50 per hour. "A" is now a major part of the maintenance crew at the CCBC Essex campus and is able to use most of the landscaping equipment. He currently lives at home.
Updated 11/3/00