Emerging Adult Supports
Career Exploration Opportunities for Individuals Ages 14-21
Spectrum Support offers activities for high school students (with disabilities or who have an IEP or 504 plan) who would like to gain work experience and opportunities for personal development. During the summer and throughout the school year, youth are offered an array of activities, including employment and transitional support to adult services.
Noah has learned a lot during his Work Based Learning Experience (WBLE) at Adventure Park. He has done a wonderful job helping to keep the park clean, and considers seeing all the fun games and attractions while working to be one of the best parts of the job. Noah has made great progress since joining Spectrum Support’s Emerging Adult Employment Program, working with Spectrum to identify and create a plan for achieving his goals, which helped him thrive at his WBLE. Great job, Noah!
Antonio discovered his interest in detailing cars (especially tires) while at school, and with the help of Spectrum Support’s Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), he had a successful Work Based Learning Experience (WBLE) and was happy to gain valuable skills while doing what he loves. Antonio’s WBLE led to him getting a job at a car wash, and with his positive attitude and passion, we know he will continue to accomplish great things.
Spectrum Support provides employment development and training activities to help youth explore opportunities for future careers.
Emerging Adult Supports are currently offered in the following communities:
- Allegany County, Maryland
- Baltimore Region, Maryland
- Carroll County, Maryland
- Frederick County, Maryland
- Howard County, Maryland
Two programs are offered that support Emerging Adults:
Emerging Adult Employment Services
Students age 14-21 referred & funded by DORS (Division of Rehabilitative Services) will have opportunities to channel their passions, dreams, and career aspirations into real paid work experiences at a community employer.
Spectrum supports students to Live their Best Lives by providing the tools and support they need for greater independence, full inclusion, and active participation in their communities. This helps them achieve their employment goals.
The level of support a student receives is individualized and based on the amount of support needed to be successful and as independent as possible.
Our employment team will assist in:
- Developing a 4-8 week paid work experience
- Encouraging the growth of students’ skills that are needed to maintain employment.
- Job Expectations training
- Interpersonal skill development
- Hands-on support with completing employee onboarding
Youth Empowerment Program (YEP!)
– Only available in Frederick County, MD –
How do you and/or your child envision their living situation in 5 years, 10 years, or 15 years from now? Do they have the tools to live as independently as possible?
The Youth Empowerment Program helps the whole family work together to establish and achieve goals of independence, employability, and socialization to empower a student with a disability’s successful transition into life after school.
Spectrum’s coordinators work one on one with the student, their family member(s) and members of their school team to help establish the routines, build the skills, and monitor the progress towards the long-term goals that you and your child help to define.
Below is a sample of what you and your student may choose to work on with Spectrum’s support. This is just one way for the student and their family to begin to take ownership of their lives and feel empowered to create their own individual path to adulthood!
After a thorough assessment of the student’s current skill levels, staff will work hands-on in the home each week to enhance life skills such as:
- Prepping food for a well-balanced diet
- Cooking meals
- Developing routines within the home (cleaning, chores) to reinforce personal accountability
- Advocating for their own interests
Staff will also work to develop community skills such as:
- Making connections with community members and building friendships
- Using public transportation safely in order to independently navigate the community
- Learning work skills at a community-based employer while being paid wages
- Learning to establish healthy boundaries
- Exploring various hobbies to discover interests
- Volunteering to learn the importance of giving back to the community