Autism Hiring Program Open for Montgomery County Residents!

Tue, 02 May 2023 21:19:10 -0400

Applications are now being accepted for the Montgomery CountyAutism Hiring Program’s summer 2023 cohort with an application deadline of May 15, 2023. The session will run from June – August 2023.

The Autism Hiring Program was created by the Howard County Autism Society in 2020 to advance workplace neurodiversity and acceptance, connecting businesses to an untapped workforce of skilled Autistic adults and targeting jobseekers not supported by existing systems. Now in its third year, the program serves candidates and employers in Maryland with placements in professions that include IT, CyberSecurity, Retail, Administrative, Engineering, Science, Mathematics, Entertainment, Recreation, Historic, Warehouse among others.

With support from WorkSource Montgomery’s Workforce Recovery Network 2.0 grant, the program has expanded this year to serve Autistic candidates living in Montgomery County, MD.

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:

Must be a resident of Montgomery County, MD (there will be another session in fall 2023 for residents of other counties)

Have an Autism diagnosis

High school graduate / or 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

Support for the program has been provided by WorkSource Montgomery, Arbor Dog Foundation and many generous individual and corporate donors. Organizational partners include Accessible Resources for Independence and WorkSource Montgomery.

There will be two additional sessions of the program in fall 2023: one for residents of Montgomery County and another for residents of Howard County and the surrounding areas. For application and information about additional sessions, visit https://howard-autism.org/autism-hiring-program/

Questions? Email linda.hoyt@howard-autism.org