Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Md., is the only community college recipient of a competitive U.S. Department of Education grant that will provide $5.7 million over five years as part of the Disability Innovation Fund program. It is the largest grant Wor-Wic has received.
The college will develop staffing and pathways for youth with disabilities from high school to higher education. The funding will provide additional college positions focused on high school outreach, academic and technology support for students and faculty, professional development for college and high school employees and ways in which Wor-Wic can mitigate the risk of students entering or already exposed to the juvenile justice system on the Lower Eastern Shore.
“When we were applying for the grant, the numbers of students with disabilities made it very clear where our attention should focus,” said Dr. Brian Bergen-Aurand, Wor-Wic’s director of learning services.
The overarching goal, he said, is to create a regional, holistic program to reduce justice system involvement for youth with disabilities while providing clear, supported pathways to higher education and training that lead to careers.
“Wor-Wic will be a hub, connecting high school students, our community partners, law enforcement and corrections, workforce development and local educational agencies,” he said.
Wor-Wic is in the process of designing programs and services that can assist students on a path to competitive, integrated employment that provides a stable, living wage and benefits the local community and economy. One hundred percent of the program costs will be federally funded.
Because Wor-Wic is home to the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy, as well as criminal justice associate degree and certificate programs, the college has a unique opportunity to support and offer professional development to law enforcement who may engage people with disabilities while working in the field. The professional development opportunities will lay the foundation for on-going training and development opportunities within the criminal justice academy curriculum.
“Equipping law enforcement officers with the knowledge and skills to interact effectively with individuals with disabilities is not just training — it’s a commitment to justice, empathy and ensuring every person is treated with dignity and respect,” said John C. Moses, director of criminal justice at Wor-Wic.
The grant term has just begun, and positions are being posted and filled to lead the grant outcomes. A new director is the first hire that will be made to support the new initiative. The college will be conducting a needs assessment and identifying community partners who will be involved in the grant’s advisory board.
“Wor-Wic is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all students, including students with disabilities creating seamless pathways from high school to the campus,” said Deborah Casey, Ph.D., president of the college. “To ensure students have the best opportunity for success, it is critical that both high school and college faculty as well as our criminal justice officers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to effectively support them in the classroom and in our communities.”
Wor-Wic was chosen to receive the grant out of more than 200 applications, and out of the 13 institutions of higher education chosen, Wor-Wic was the sole community college. In total, 27 recipients were awarded part of the $251 million earmarked for the project by the Education Department. They came from 16 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands.
When announcing the recipients, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said the funding was designed to encourage the growth of a strong, inclusive workforce.
“Today, more than 60 million adults live with a disability — each with unique talents and strengths,” Cardona said. “In our 21st century economy, we must provide more opportunities for these individuals to achieve their goals for competitive integrated employment, independence and economic self-sufficiency.”