FAQs • Frederick County • CivicEngage

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Family Partnership

1. Who can participate in Family Partnership?: Women or men with children between ages of newborn to 12 years, expectant mothers and fathers, kinship care providers and youth aged 16-24 years old.

2. When is the next orientation?: We hold orientations regularly. You must complete our referral form by calling (301) 600-2206 or you can fax the referral form to (301) 600-2209 to register for our program. Once we have a completed referral form and space is available then a case manager will make contact to schedule a one on one orientation.

3. What is Virtual School (formerly known as FLEX): Virtual School is part of Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS). Through this program, students can earn credits towards a high school diploma. Courses are aligned to FCPS Essential Curricula and represent a variety of merit, honors, and Advanced Placement options. Students should be self-motivated independent learners and they usually take one course at a time. Instructors are highly-qualified FCPS teachers with special training in working with students in a virtual setting. Family Partnership (FP) collaborates with Frederick County Virtual School. Through this collaboration, students that are enrolled in Virtual School classes that could also benefit from FP services are allowed to take their classes on-line in FP’s computer lab. Regular attendance at Family Partnership is required.

4. Can anyone participate in Virtual School at Family Partnership?: Youth 16-20 years of age who have been referred to Family Partnership by a Frederick County School Counselor, Pupil Personnel Worker, or other FCPS professional may be eligible to attend Virtual School at Family Partnership.

5. Are exceptions ever made regarding the age when a student is eligible for Virtual School?: If you are under 16 years of age, you must obtain permission to enroll. Speak with your Guidance Counselor or your Pupil Personnel Worker at your home (current) school to determine eligibility.

6. What is GED?: GED stands for General Education Development. The GED test consists of 4 standardized tests: Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science that are designed to measure the major outcomes of traditional high school education. Students who pass the GED test earn a Maryland High School Diploma.

7. What are GED classes?: GED preparation classes at Family Partnership are available for out of school individuals 18 years of age and older. The classes offer a review of writing, social studies, science, reading and math to prepare students for the GED test. Classes are taught by an FCC Adult Education Instructor and skills are reinforced through a combination of classroom and computer-based instruction. Each student’s goal is to ultimately earn a Maryland High School Diploma.

8. Can I work on my GED if I am under 18?: If you are under 18 years old, you cannot enroll in the GED program. By law you are required to be enrolled in a school that gives you access to a secondary school curriculum. If you have met an exception to this law, there are limited options for GED studies. Please contact the center directly.

9. If I am older than 18 and want to study for the GED exam, how do I proceed?: You will be required to attend an Orientation at Family Partnership. If after attending Orientation and meeting with a Case Manager, you decide that you want to begin your GED studies here, you will need to withdraw from your home (current) school. Please speak to your Guidance Counselor or your Pupil Personnel Worker regarding the withdrawal process.

10. What is CASAS?: CASAS is the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System. It is the standardized test required by the State of Maryland for any GED class taken through Adult Education Services, and it is used by Family Partnership to establish an educational baseline for each participant and to track each participant's progress.

11. How long does it take to get my GED at Family Partnership?: This depends upon the outcome of the CASAS assessment, your current level of education, and how much time you commit to your GED studies.

12. Who can receive employment services and what are they?: All participants that attend Family Partnership can receive employment readiness services. These services include one on one assistance and employment workshops on career exploration and job readiness, computer skills, career goal setting, resume writing, interviewing skills, job searching, paid internships and completing job applications.

13. Does Family Partnership offer childcare?: Yes - Family Partnership provides developmental childcare for children 6 weeks through 3 years of age every day (Monday - Thursday). On Tuesday evenings, during parent support groups, childcare and activities are provided for children 6 weeks through 12 years of age. Family Partnership is a non-licensed facility, so parents must remain on-site with children.

14. What if I need transportation?: Pick up and drop off to Family Partnership is available to participants who live within a 10 mile radius of the center and communicate in advance of their need for transportation.

15. Are translation and/or interpretation services available?: Translation and/or interpretation services are provided on an as needed basis.

16. Is there a waitlist for services?: Yes there is a waitlist and your wait time is dependent on your childcare and transportation needs and space availability in education classes. Staff will contact you regularly to keep your information current on our waitlist. Also home based services could be offered to you while you are waiting to get into the center. See our website for more information on home visiting services.

17. What documents do I need when I start at Family Partnership?: If you are bringing a child under the age of 4 then you will need to bring a copy of immunization records. If you are interested in the GED services then you will need to bring your official withdrawal form from your last high school. If you are between the ages of 16-24, there may be additional documents that we will need to collect from you, such as birth certificate and social security card, and other items.