Autism Hiring Program Accepting Applications Now!

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 22:41:44 -0400
anne, arundel, autism, county, hiring, howard, montgomery, program

Autism Hiring Program Expands to Anne Arundel County for 2023-24; cohorts in Howard, Montgomery, and Surrounding Areas!

Applications are now being accepted for 2023-24 cohorts of the Autism Hiring Program with a new program beginning this fall in Anne Arundel County in partnership with the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation! The program now serves residents of Anne Arundel, Montgomery and Howard County/Surrounding Counties.

The next session application deadlines are September 15th for the Mid-Maryland Fall Session (Residents of Howard County and Surrounding Areas); and October 15th for the Anne Arundel Fall Session (Residents of Anne Arundel). The complete schedule for all three locations is below:

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (NEW!) - Anne Arundel County Residents Only

FALL 2023: Late October-December 2023 – Deadline to apply is October 15, 2023

WINTER 2024: January-March 2024 – Deadline to apply is January 15, 2024

SPRING 2024: April-June 2024 – Deadline to apply is March 15, 2024

FALL 2024: September–November. 2024 – Deadline to apply is August 15, 2024

MID-MARYLAND: Residents of Howard County & Surrounding Areas

FALL 2023: September-December 2023 - Deadline to apply is September 15, 2023

WINTER 2024: January-March 2024 - Deadline to apply is January 15, 2024

SPRING 2024: April-June 2024 - Deadline to apply is March 15, 2024

MONTGOMERY COUNTY: Montgomery County Residents Only

FALL 2023 - This session is now full. Please check back for 2024 dates as they are scheduled.

The Autism Hiring Program was created by the Howard County Autism Society to advance workplace neurodiversity and acceptance, connecting businesses to an untapped workforce of skilled Autistic adults and targeting jobseekers not supported by existing systems. It is provided at no cost to attendees. The ideal candidate for this program is someone who comes to it with an open mind, is committed to their own success, and whose ultimate goal is to find and sustain meaningful employment. Other requirements:

· Has an Autism diagnosis

· High school degree/GED (may have certifications, some college and/or college degree)

· Not currently receiving services from DDA, DORS, an agency, or employment specialist/counselor

· Able to attend weekly peer group and 1:1 sessions independently with our staff virtually and in person

· Responsive to requests from our staff to schedule meetings, coaching sessions, interviews, trainings

At the same time, the program engages employers to ensure a good fit for candidates AND add to their bottom line. It provides training for managers and staff on neurodiversity, ADA compliance, inclusivity, and natural supports while creating a sustainable system through which they can hire and retain great candidates.

Support for the program has been provided by Howard County, MD, Howard County Workforce Development, WorkSource Montgomery, Anne Arundel Workforce Development, an FY23 Congressional Community Project Funding grant, Gula Tech Foundation, Arbor Dog Foundation and many generous individual and corporate donors.

For applications, information, and deadlines, visit https://howard-autism.org/autism-hiring-program/ . Questions? Email or call Linda.Hoyt@howard-autism.org or 410-290-3466.