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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the H.E.A.R.T. Program?
The program provides Occupational Skills Training to low-income developmentally disabled adults residing within the city limits of Houston, Texas. The purpose of the H.E.A.R.T. program is to prepare the participants for gainful employment through an innovative client-managed entrepreneurial venture. Stage 1 prepares the participants for employment by providing individualized assessments and job readiness training; Stage 2 allows the participants to work both within the general community and in a sheltered workshop as appropriate, through the client managed entrepreneurial venture, H.E.A.R.T. Vending and Concessions.
What does the H.E.A.R.T. training consist of?
- Life Skills
- Social Skills
- Job Readiness
- Hands-on training
- OJT Training (On The Job)
- CBI (Community Based Instruction)
- Repetitive practices utilizing mock concession stands and vending machines
What type of activities will participants be doing?
- Sorting
- Labeling
- Customer service
- Identifying and differentiating products recognizing sizes, shapes and colors
- Loading and unloading of machines
- Basic service and machine repair
- Counting and batching
- Beginning cash handling
- Mentoring and supervision skills
- Inventory skills
Who is providing the training?
Understanding the need for specialized training the H.E.A.R.T. program utilizes a curriculum specifically developed for this program that is taught by State Certified Teachers that are also State Certified in Special Education.
What is the cost of the program?
There is no cost for the first 50 participants who meet all eligibility requirements.
What are the hours of the program?
The H.E.A.R.T. facility will be open for drop-offs at 8:00am and pick-up will be no later than 6:00pm, Monday through Thursday. Participants CANNOT be dropped-off before 8:00am with out prior approval by the Program Manager. At no time can an applicant be left at the facility without supervision. All participants MUST be picked-up by 6:00pm.
What are the eligibility requirements of the H.E.A.R.T. Program?
The H.E.A.R.T. Program has four basic eligibility requirements:
- Must be over the age of 18
- Must be living within the city limits of Houston
- Must be eligible for Medicaid
- Must have a medical diagnosis with a developmental disability
What if the applicant doesnt have an income?
The applicant must prove they are low-income according to the standards of the grant. If the applicant is receiving any federal benefits such as Food Stamps, SSI, SSD, or Medicaid, they most likely will qualify.
Does the guardians income prevent the applicant from participating in the program?
No. Since the applicant is over the age of 18 he/she is considered an adult so their personal income is the final determination.
I meet all of the other three requirements but I do not have a developmental disability, do I qualify for this program?
No, you MUST have a developmental disability to participate in the program.
What is a developmental disability?
According to the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) of 2000 (P.L.) 106-402), a developmental disability is define as: (A) IN GENERAL The term developmental disability means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that: i. Is attributed to a mental impairment or condition of mental and physical impairment; ii. Is manifested before the individual attains age 22; iii. Is likely to continue indefinitely; iv. Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: a) Self-care; b) Receptive and expressive language; c) Learning; d) Mobility; e) Self-direction; f) Capacity for independent living; and g) Economic self-sufficiency; and v. Reflects the individuals need of a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated. (B) INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN An Individual from birth to age 9, inclusive, who has a substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition, may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting 3 or more of the criteria described in clauses (i) through (v) of subparagraph (A) if the individual, without services and supports, has a high probability of meeting those later in life. What proof do you need for a developmental disability?
We will need a written medical diagnosis from the applicants physician. Click on the link below for the Statement of General Health Form to have completed by your physician.
Do you provide transportation to and from home?
No. It is the responsibility of the applicant and the guardian to get the applicant to the H.E.A.R.T. facility. Once there, the program provides the transportation to and from the OJT sites.
Are meals provided during the program?
Yes, during training and OJT only. The H.E.A.R.T. Program will provide a daily lunch prepared by a local vendor for each participant.
Can a participant bring his or her own lunch to the training?
Yes, but the participant will be responsible for the cost of their meal during the day and we cannot provide a place to store the lunch. But remember! The lunch we provide is paid for.
Do I have to come into your office to complete an application for the program?
No, simply click on the link below and complete the application online. One of our representatives will contact you within 24 business hours of submitting your online application.
Are the applicants properly supervised during training and OJT?
Yes. Training will adhere to the structured student to teacher ratio of 20 students per 1 teacher and 1 teacher assistant as averaged by the Texas Education Agency (T.E.A.) 2004 Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) Report for the Houston Independent School District (HISD) in the classroom. During OJT, one staff member will supervise student teams consisting of 3-10 applicants. At no times will the applicants be unsupervised within the H.E.A.R.T. facility.
Is the applicant enrolled in the program just by completing the Application for Entrance?
No, the program staff to ensure eligibility must interview every applicant. As we have a limited number of slots available for this program, care will be taken to ensure all enrolled applicants be able to complete the program and be actively employed after the training.
Is there a waiting list for enrollment?
Not currently, but we do anticipate a waiting list for the grant funded slots. There are literally thousands of developmentally disabled adults within the area that qualify for this program and we cannot accommodate them all through funded grants. Efforts are being made to secure additional grant funding for training slots.
Do you have a part-time program available?
We are currently evaluating the need for a grant-funded part-time program. As we have a limited number of funded slots available we want to fill them with applicants that can attend the full-time program.
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