Maryland Higher Education Commission

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, MENTAL HEALTH, CHILD WELFARE, AND JUVENILE JUSTICE WORKFORCE 
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, Child Welfare, and Juvenile Justice Workforce Tuition Assistance Program has been consolidated into the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program. 

ELIGIBLE MAJORS

Human services degree program: 

• aging services
• counseling
• disability services
• mental health
• nursing
• occupational therapy
• physical therapy
• psychology
• rehabilitation
• social work
• special education*
• supported employment
• vocational rehabilitation

OR any other concentration in the healing arts or programs providing support services to individuals with special needs including child welfare and juvenile justice.

*Special education majors may not fulfill their obligation as public school teachers.

 

SERVICE OBLIGATION

Upon completion of undergraduate or graduate studies in an eligible human services degree program, the recipient of the Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, Child Welfare, and Juvenile Justice Workforce Tuition Assistance Program will begin employment in the State within 6 months after completion of undergraduate or graduate studies. Recipients are required to work as a direct service employee in a Maryland community-based program for a maximum 4,000 hours of continuous full or part-time employment as determined by the amount of funds received. The Maryland community-based program must be licensed by the Developmental Disabilities Administration or approved by the Mental Hygiene Administration to provide habilitation, rehabilitation, residential, or related community support services to individuals with developmental disabilities or mental disorders; or any residential child care program licensed by the Department of Human Resources or the Department of Juvenile Justice. A direct service employee is one who primarily provides direct support or care to individuals with disabilities, or provide first-line supervision of employees providing direct support or care to individuals with disabilities.

The number of work hours required to fulfill the service obligation:

2,000 hours for a total award up to $1,999;
3,000 hours for a total award of $2,000 - $3,999;
4,000 hours for a total award of $4,000 - $6,000.

If recipients are employed at an eligible site and provide direct support or care to individuals with developmental disabilities or mental disorder,; or any residential child care program licensed by the Department of Human Resources or the Department of Juvenile Justice, then the work hours performed while the recipient has the award will count toward the required number of hours needed to fulfill the service obligation.

All new awards made in this major or occupational fields will now be made under the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program.  Please visit our website for information on the WSSAG program and for program application information.

CONDITIONS OF AWARD RENEWAL

DOWNLOAD 2011-2012 CONDITIONS OF AWARD RENEWAL (PDF)

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