Congratulations to the Western Maryland Consortium (WMC) for their recent award of $24,999.00 in Transition Age Youth Work Experience Program Funds and $18,000.00 in Summer Youth First-Time Work Experience Program Funds. A brief summary for each of these projects is listed below.

Transition Age Youth Work Experience Program -

The "Transition Age Youth Work Experience" program will provide 10 socio-economically disadvantaged transition age youth, ages 18 to 21, a 10-week occupational training opportunity within area non-profits, public and/or private employers. The youth will work 35 hours a week for a 10-week period. The youth will be paid minimum wage. The employer will provide a worksite that will provide a structured, mentoring work environment offering on-the-job training to develop work habits to obtain and retain employment. Participants' skills enhancement will be measured using the Labor Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS). The WMC will provide case management support.

The WMC will recruit potential participants through newspaper advertisements and requests for referrals from the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Washington County One Stop Job Center), the Washington County Department of Social Services (WCDSS) , Girls Inc., the Boys and Girls Club, the Family Center, Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) Dropout Prevention and Intervention Services Program and other agencies serving youth.

It is proposed that 60% of the participants will show an increase in their work skills (Punctuality, attendance, initiative, quality/quantity of work, appearance, cooperation, dependability and overall effectiveness) during their participation in the program.

It is proposed that three participants will concurrently do the work experience and work on their General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or skills training. Five (5) will enter unsubsidized employment within 90 days of program completion.

Summer Youth First-Time Work Experience Program -

The "Summer Youth First-Time Work Experience Program" will provide 10 at-risk youth, ages 14 to 17, a six-week summer occupational training opportunity within area non-profits, public and/or private employers. The youth will work 35 hours a week for a six-week period. The youth will be paid minimum wage. The guidance, support and evaluation of the program participants will be the same as that provided for the "Transition Age Youth Work Experience" program participants.

The WMC will target youth who are served by the WCPS Dropout Prevention and Intervention Services Program. If all the openings cannot be filled with interested youth from the WCPS Dropout Prevention and Intervention Services Program, the recruitment process will be broadened and referrals from partner agencies such as the WCDSS, Division of Rehabilitative Services, the Boys and Girls Club, the Family Center, Girls Inc. and others will be sought.

It is proposed that 85% of the participants will show an increase in their work skills during their participation in the program.

For more information, please contact Tom Kline, WCCP Project Coordinator, at 240-313-2092.

"CHARACTER COUNTS!" is a service mark of the "CHARACTER COUNTS!" Coalition, a project of the Josephson Institute of Ethics.