Volunteers For HoCo Students With Disabilities Commission Sought

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Volunteers interested in serving on Howard County's Commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities have until Feb. 7 to submit an application. To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be Howard County residents, have an interest in the issues impacting transitioning students with disabilities and be able to attend the commission’s meetings, which are held on the second Thursday in the months of January, March, May, September and November in Ellicott City.

"Together, we can create a community that provides opportunities for self-determination and independence, whether in college or in one’s careers, for residents of all abilities," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in a statement. "I encourage members from our business community, who are looking to play an integral role in ensuring all our students are ready and successful, to apply to this commission."

Comprised of 28 members, the commission’s responsibilities include:

• Advocating for policy on behalf of students with developmental, intellectual and/or physical disabilities;
• Examining current practices and making recommendations on ways to improve post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities;
• Making recommendations that would facilitate successful customized employment and post-secondary education for students exiting the Howard County Public School System; and
• Fostering greater collaboration between the business, academic, non-profit and public sectors to engage in successful initiatives designed to immerse students with disabilities in a work environment and provide important job skills.

Applicants should send a resume and brief letter explaining why they want to serve on the commission to Kimberly Pruim either by email to kpruim@howardcountymd.gov or by mail to: Howard County Government, Office of the County Executive, Attn: Kimberly Pruim, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the County Executive for approval and then to the County Council for confirmation.