Transition Connections Academy
About
Mission Statement
The Carroll County Public Schools Transition Connections Academy is dedicated to empowering young adults with disabilities, so they will become self-directed individuals, responsible citizens, autonomous communicators and active participants in their community and workplace.
We recognize and value individuality and focus on nurturing the unique gifts and talents each of our students has to offer.
Our mission is to provide relevant academic instruction, authentic vocational experiences, and to build strong community partnerships, so our students are prepared with the skills they will need to face the challenges of the future.
The Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) Transition Connections Academy was designed to provide additional learning opportunities, more importantly, work-based learning experiences (WBLEs) beyond students’ four years in high school. The Academy is open to students with significant cognitive disabilities working toward a Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion, ages 18 to 21. Academy placement is an IEP team decision based on each student’s educational needs and level of independence.
The Academy was designed in collaboration with a variety of community partners to provide the best possible learning opportunities for students. Our partners include Carroll Community College, Carroll Hospital, McDaniel College, Division of Rehabilitation Services, local community rehabilitation providers, members of the Carroll business community, as well as local government and law enforcement agencies. These partnerships have correlated to post-school success in the areas of independent living, community participation, and employment for students of CCPS.
The Academy is composed of five seamless transition programs, aligned with evidence-based practices, and implemented to increase the number of youth actively engaged in post-secondary activities such as education, technical and career training, and employment after exiting CCPS. All programs focus heavily on enhancing independence and increasing students’ individual capacity in the areas of functional academics, independent living, self-determination/self-advocacy, career development and communication and social skills.
The use of technology, including a variety of light and high-tech devices for communication, specialized software and apps for reading and written communication and using cell phones as tools, is integrated into each program to enable authentic communication and enhance independence. The anticipated outcome is competitive integrated employment for all students.
Programs
- Transition Education at McDaniel (TE@M)
- Transition Education at Carroll Hospital (TE@CH)
- Seamless Transition at Carroll Community (ST@CC)
- Transition Opportunities for Personal Success (TOPS)
- Community Integration for Transitioning Youth (CITY)
Transition Education at McDaniel (TE@M)
Location - On the Campus of McDaniel College, this program is designed for students with the highest level of independence.
Focus - Academic and social skills, career and employment resource planning, self-determination/self-advocacy, and work-based learning experiences (WBLEs)
Outcome - Full-time competitive employment without supports
Support - Provided and faded as independence increases
Examples of work-based experiences at McDaniel College include:
Conference Services, Dining Hall, Theatre, Post Office, Risk Management, Grounds Keeping
Transition Education at Carroll Hospital (TE@CH)
Location - Housed at Carroll Hospital, this program is designed for students with the highest level of independence.
Focus - Academic and social skills, career and employment resource planning, self-determination/self-advocacy, and work-based learning experiences (WBLEs)
Outcome - Full-time competitive employment without supports
Support - Provided and faded as independence increases
Examples of work-based experiences at Carroll Hospital include:
Supply Chain, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Food Service, Respiratory Therapy, Family Birth Center
Seamless Transition at Carroll Community (ST@CC)
Location - On the Campus of Carroll Community College, this program is designed for students with the highest level of independence.
Focus - Academic and social skills, career and employment resource planning, self-determination/self-advocacy, and work-based learning experiences (WBLEs)
Outcome - Full-time competitive employment without supports
Support - Provided and faded as independence increases
Examples of work-based experiences at Carroll Community College include:
Carroll Community College Bookstore, Continuing Education, Café Stocking, Café Food Prep, Environmental Services, Campus Police
Transition Opportunities for Personal Success (TOPS)
Location - On the Campus of Carroll Springs School, this program is designed for students with a moderate level of independence.
Focus - Functional academics, career management, communication and social skills, self-determination, residential living skills, lifetime health and fitness, computer skills, and work-based learning experiences (WBLEs)
Outcome - At least part-time competitive employment with minimal supports
Support - Provided and faded as independence increases
Examples of volunteer work-based experiences include:
Custodial - Carroll County Government, Bureau of Facilities, Carroll County Public Schools
Community Services - Salvation Army, Humane Society
Clerical - Carroll County Public Library
Childcare - Little Friends of Grace Preschool, Crossroads Christian Preschool
Community Integration for Transitioning Youth (CITY)
Location - Housed in the community, this program is designed for students who need a higher level of support
Focus - The program focuses on functional academics, daily living skills, communication and social skills, and volunteer work-based learning experiences (WBLEs) in an enclave setting Job coaching support is continual
Outcome - Volunteer work-based experiences and/or part-time competitive employment in a small group setting with full-time/part-time supervision
Support - Full-time supervision provided in a group setting
Examples of volunteer work-based experiences using an enclave model include:
Food Service - Pizza Hut
Retail – Food Lion, Boscov’s
Custodial – Planet Fitness & St. Paul’s Church
Staff Directory
Attendance
Student hours are 8:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. If you are unable to attend school, please contact us at 410-751-3620 Ext. 2296 by 8:00 A.M. or as soon as possible.
Additionally, students can notify their CCPS Instructor by email.
Note: Students attending the ST@CC program at Carroll Community College are required to complete a Campus Check-In Self Declaration Form. This form is located on the Carroll Community College Website.
When should you stay home?
COVID-19 Like Symptom Self-Screening:
Please check your status daily and do not report to school if you are experiencing any of the following situations or symptoms:
- Known exposure to someone who is being tested for COVID-19 or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms as identified below
- Known exposure to someone who is COVID-19 positive*
- Positive COVID-19 test within 10 days*
- Notification from the health department, your employer, a healthcare provider, or school nurse that you need to isolate or quarantine*
- Experiencing a new loss of taste or smell*
- Cough*
- Shortness of breath*
- Difficulty Breathing*
- Fever of 100 degrees or higher**
- Muscle Aches**
- Sore Throat**
- Nausea or vomiting**
- Diarrhea**
- Fatigue**
- Congestion**
- Runny Nose**
*Indicates one of these symptoms/circumstances meet clinical concern for COVID-19
**Indicates two or more of these symptoms meet clinical concern for COVID-19
Other reasons I might need to stay home?
- Fever (must be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication)
- Vomiting (must be vomit free for 24 hours)
- Diarrhea - loose, watery, and possibly more-frequent bowel movements - is a common problem. Causes include eating something that disagrees with you, illness, medication, and dehydration. The health department guideline is "can it be contained". Contact the school nurses if you have questions or to give them warning as to medication or dietary changes that may have occurred that have side effects.
ST@CC & TE@NM
TOPS & TE@CH
CITY
Resources
Maryland Transition Digital Portfolio
In Maryland, students now have a digital portfolio that tells their story.
• Begins at age 14, during middle school
• Caters to multiple learning styles
• Encourages student self-reflection
• Allows students to see personal growth by developing motivation and self-confidence
• Provides a strengths-based perspective
Information obtained from: https://dp.jhed.tech/transition/compsite/intro/
To find more information about the Maryland Transition Digital Portfolio click the link below:
Maryland Transition Digital PortfoLio
The following link will connect to your student login page:
Community Resources
| Agency / Address | Contact Info | Website / Email |
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Abilities Network 8503 LaSalle Rd. Towson, MD 21286 |
Phone: 410-828-7700 |
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The Arc of Carroll County 180 Kriders Church Rd. Westminster, MD 21158 |
Phone: 410-848-4124
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Bello Machre 255 Clifton Blvd. Ste 310 Westminster, MD 21157 |
Phone: 443-821-3386
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Business & Employment Resource Center (BERC) 224 N. Center Street Westminster, MD 21157 |
Phone: 410-386-2820 Fax: 410-876-2977
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Carroll Community College 1601 Washington Road Westminster, MD 21157 |
Phone: 410-386-8000
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Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) 201 Preston St. Baltimore, MD 21201 |
Phone: 844-253-8694
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https://dda.health.maryland.gov/Pages/home.aspx
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Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) 1004 Littlestown Pike, Ste B1 Westminster, MD 21157 |
Phone: 410-848-4456 Fax: 410-857-1807 |
Email: dors@maryland.gov |
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Flying Colors of Success, Inc. 88 E. Main Street Westminster, MD 21157 |
Phone: 410-876-0838 Fax: 410-876-9227
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https://www.flyingcolorsofsuccess.org/ Email: employment@flyingcolorsofsuccess.org |
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Medical Management and Rehabilitation Services, Inc. (MMARS) 723 S. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21230 |
Phone: 410-332-8197 Fax: 410-332-0895 |
Email: info@mmars.com |
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MOSAIC Community Services 288 E. Green St. Westminster, MD 21157 |
Phone: 453-9553 |
https://www.sheppardpratt.org/mosaic/ Email: info@sheppardpratt.org |
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Optimal Health Care, Inc. 6 W. Washington Street 2nd Fl Hagerstown, MD 21740 |
Phone: 301-790-4962
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https://dda.health.maryland.gov/Pages/Optimal-Health-Care.aspx Email: nmoulick@ohc-inc.com |
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Penn-Mar Human Services 255 Clifton Blvd. Suite 302 Westminster, MD 21157 |
Phone: 410-876-2179 Fax: 410-857-4053 |
Email: info@penn-mar.org
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Service Coordination, Inc. 5303 Spectrum Dr. Frederick, MD 21703 |
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Spectrum Support Inc. 5112 Pegasus Ct. Ste M Frederick, MD 21704 |
Phone: 717-659-9231
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http://spectrum-support.org/ Email - Carroll County Employment Support: spryor@spectrum-support.org |
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Target Community & Educational Services, Inc. 111 Stoner Avenue Westminster, MD 21157 |
Phone: 410-848-9090 Fax: 410-848-7409 |
https://www.targetcommunity.org/contact/
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