STEP Up
What Is STEP Up?
Supporting, Training, and Employing Parents (STEP Up!) is a job-driven pilot program geared toward noncustodial parties with a Baltimore City child support case. The program offers free job-training and support services to help parents overcome employment barriers and jumpstart their careers in industries that include welding, green construction, machining, healthcare, and hospitality.
What’s more, participants who successfully complete their STEP Up program can earn forgiveness for child support arrears owed to the State of Maryland. STEP Up represents a unique opportunity to obtain job-training and employment, develop financial independence, and make consistent child support payments.
If you are an unemployed or underemployed noncustodial party who is interested in learning more about STEP Up, call us at (410) 951-8000. If you’re not a noncustodial party, but you’re interested in a similar job-training opportunity, read more about our workforce development program for Marylanders who receive SNAP benefits.
Why Should I Enroll?
STEP Up is a no-cost opportunity to train for a career that will help you support yourself and your family. Our program partners are experienced in helping people overcome barriers to employment and building pathways to rewarding, lifelong careers. Most STEP Up training programs offer:
- Hard skills training in an in-demand industry
- Soft skills training in communication, customer service, and more
- Job readiness
- Job search and placement
- Industry-recognized certifications and credentialing
- Work experience
- Transportation assistance
- Referrals to other community services
- Resolution of barriers to employment, such as criminal record, legal services, or driver’s licenses suspension
- Access to items needed to work, such as work clothing, tools, or textbooks
- Support from a personal career navigator and success coach
Am I Eligible?
All noncustodial parties who have a Baltimore City child support case, are unemployed or underemployed, and can commit to working upon program completion are eligible for the STEP Up program.
If this describes you, start the enrollment process today by calling us at (410 ) 844-7001 x 7144.
Initial program enrollment takes place at the Baltimore City Office of Child Support Services located at Mondawmin Mall, 2401 Liberty Heights Ave. Baltimore, Md 21215 Suite 4645. Once enrolled, parents will join a training program offered by one of our STEP Up employment programs.
What Kind of Job Can I Train For?
STEP Up can prepare you for a job in healthcare, construction, welding, hospitality, warehousing, biotechnology, and more. Find a training program by expanding the menu below! If you’re interested in a specific program, be sure to inform the intake coordinator at your enrollment session.
Get started today by calling (410 ) 844-7001 x 7144 to schedule your enrollment.
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Baltimore City Community College + Humanim
Get trained in building deconstruction, culinary arts, retail customer service, healthcare, administrative professional skills, and more. Humanim and Baltimore City Community College are partnering to provide credentialed training and soft skills.
CivicWorks
Interested in green construction? Learn how to install solar energy, conduct brownfields remediation, carry out residential energy efficiency weatherization, and other related skills.
Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC)
Ever wanted to become a welder, manufacturer, or a CNC machinist? Contact program managers at JARC and get started on your metalworking career today.
Job Opportunities Task Force
Get trained in the construction industry, which includes electrical, carpentry, and plumbing skills. This apprenticeship program features onsite training that connects graduates to strong job opportunities.
Center For Urban Families (CFUF)
Get a handle on the soft skills needed to get and keep employment. Case management and support services, job placement and retention, career mapping support, occupational skills trainings and education, and co-enrollment in other STEP Up training programs are available through CFUF.
Associated Catholic Charities
Project participants will receive training and certification for placements as automotive technicians and/or general services technicians.
Vehicles for Change
Get training and certification for placement as an automotive technician.
Maryland New Directions
Project participants will receive training and certification for placements in logistics, freight forwarding, warehousing, stevedoring, materials handling, and international customer service.
City Life Community Builders
City Life Community Builders offers training and certification for placement in commercial and residential construction positions, both new and renovation projects.
BioTechnical Institute of Maryland
Get training and certification for positions related to biotechnology, pharma, and related industries.
Bon Secours Baltimore Health System Foundation/Bon Secours Community Works
Project participants will receive training and certification to become Certified Nursing Assistants and Geriatric Nursing Assistants.
Caroline Friess Center
Program participants will receive training and certification for entry-level placements as Certified/Geriatric Nursing Assistants and Certified Pharmacy Technicians.
New Pathways
STEP Up participants will receive training and certification for placements as Certified Patient Care Technicians.
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Contact
For additional questions about STEP Up or how to enroll, contact the STEP Up coordinator (Adrienne Owens) at (410) 844-7001 x 7144, or call DHS’s helpline at (800) 332-6347
Partners
DHS thanks its partners in the STEP Up program, including Maryland State Delegate Samuel I. Rosenberg. Delegate Rosenberg led the passage of HB 1502, legislation that paved the way for STEP Up. DHS also acknowledges the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, the Baltimore City Office of Child Support Services, and the FSET Program for their ongoing partnership on this initiative.