1. VAST Academy Motto:
“All that I can, I will.”

2. 20 years experience empowering Houstonians
with intellectual disabilities to make
productive workplace contributions.

3. Over 150 students enrolled at 2 campuses
Northwest College
Central College

4. Rigorous 2 Year
Career Readiness Curriculum
• Reading and Math Enhancement
• Business Writing and Communication
• Computer literacy
• Customer Service

5. P r o v i d e s
Post-secondary training for
“differently-abled” individuals including:
• Meaningful Workforce Credentials
• Job Readiness and Placement Assistance

6. A w a r d s

7. N e w F r e e d o m I n i t i a t i v e A w a r d
H.C.C. VAST awarded
U.S. Secretary of Labor’s
New Freedom Initiative Award
“For it’s exemplary
and innovative efforts
in furthering the
employment goals of
persons with disabilities.”

8. Pictured at the Dept. of Labor in Washington, D.C.
from left: Sue Moraska, Program Manager
Judy Embry and her daughter Nicole, a V.A.S.T. Academy graduate
Then U.S. Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao.
Nicole is a full-time employee at Smith and Associates for more
than 10 years.
N e w F r e e d o m I n i t i a t i v e A w a r d

9. U.S. Dept. of Education awarded HCC VAST
a $2.5 million, 5 year grant
to expand transition programs for
students with intellectual disabilities.

10. T r a i n i n g
H i g h l i g h t s

11. Opportunities include:
• Vocational Certificates
• Pre-college “Bridge” Courses
• Career Readiness Credentials
• Internships And Employment Assistance

12. • Office Assistants
• Data Entry
• Filing and Clerical
• Receptionist
• Mail Center Clerks
Office Skills Training Certificate Program
Customized training in Office Occupations

13. Office Skills Training Certificate
Required Courses:
TERM I
• Business Writing
• Business
Communications
• Intermediate Word
• PowerPoint
TERM II
• Intro to Office Skills
• Spreadsheet/Excel
• Career Readiness
Work Keys
• Job Preparation b s

14. Employment Training
Internship

15. Graduates can enter
a 10-week, 200 hour
internship
Walgreens Distribution Center
Employment Training Internship

16. Employment Training Internship
Hospital Clinic Staff
• Exam Room Prep
• Customer Service
• Patient Transport
• Patient Records
handling to HIPPA
Standards
INTERNSHIP

17. • Teacher’s Aide
• Child Care
Employment Training Internship

18. • Office Clerical
• Receptionist
• File Management
Employment Training Internship

19. Interns integrate classroom training
with real-world experience

20. Host organizations
gain
increased
productivity
at no cost.

21. And morale boost -
Interns’
Enthusiastic
Positive
Attitudes
are contagious!

22. Strategic
Community
Partners

23. productive internship
and employment opportunities
AND MORE . . .

24. • MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Texas Children Hospital
• Shriners Hospital for Children
• TIRR
• The Center
• The Rise School
• Brookwood Community
• Memorial Assistance Ministries
• City of Houston Adaptive
Recreation Center
• Deogi Dog Daycare Resort & Spa
• Rodeo Warehouse for HLSR
• Spring Branch ISD
• Sailing Angels
• Crowne Plaza Hotel
• Hilton Americas
• Thornwood Elementary
• CAPS
• Houston Arboretum
• HCC Child Care Center
• HCC Mail Distribution Center
• HCC Central College Ability
Services Office
Employer Internship Partners

25. To Become an Employer Partner Call
713-718-6832
Or e-mail Steve Kologinczak
Employment Services Director
steven.kologinczak@hccs.edu