RB21 Course Descriptions 

Home Sweet Home Meets Residential Readiness – This class provides an overview of what to consider when searching for housing, budgeting and how to complete chores such as cleaning their room and washing clothes. This class also focuses on the basics of obtaining and maintaining affordable housing, in addition to: How to search for safe and affordable housing, how to budget for housing, how to apply for subsidized housing in Baltimore and surrounding counties, and tenant rights.

Employment Workshop - A life skills class that reviews interview techniques and soft skills, personal characteristics needed to become an effective employee, how to dress for success, proper resume formatting and how to properly complete an employment application. 

Keys to Financial Future - The purpose of the class is to provide youth in BCDSS with financial literacy training and provide access and enrollment into the Jim Casey Opportunity Passport, a matched asset purchase program. Description: Youth ages 14-25 will participate in 9 hours of financial literacy, instructor-led, training presented virtually for 3 day / 3-hour sessions. The course will cover the following topics; Asset Building; Credit and Money Management. Participants who complete the training will be invited to enroll in Opportunity Passport. Participants will be eligible to receive $140 for completing the training and enrollment into Opportunity Passport.

Keys to Success - Keys to Success Online Class is a two-week life skills program within Ready by 21 for youth ages 18 to 21 with a plan of APPLA. In this exciting and interactive program, youth partner with community resources and participate in real life experiential learning and activities. While in the program, youth prepare for employment, write resumes, practice in mock interviews, receive interview suiting, schedule interviews, discuss credit, banking, budgeting and set savings goals, explore career and educational opportunities, learn about The Maryland Tuition Waiver, learn how to maintain healthcare coverage, learn how to balance work and life demands, learn safe food handling and cook a nutritious meal, study leases and tenet landlord requirements, participate in a virtual tour of IKEA, practice how to establish and budget for housing, tour apartments and apply for income based housing.

Friendship Matters – A life skills class to help young people identify healthy & unhealthy friendships, recognize the difference between an associate, close friend & best friend, learn about different types of support, identify ways to meet new people, learn skills on how to be a good friend, learn how self-esteem impacts friendship, learn ways to resolve conflict and identify the pros and cons of social media.

Secure What’s Yours – A life skills class in which young people learn what is an identity, how to protect your vital documents from being stolen/prevent identity theft, what is credit, how to establish it, how to access my reports and file a credit dispute and how to avoid scammers.

Parenting Circle for Expecting and Parenting Youth - A virtual life skills course to help expectant and parenting youth learn effective parenting skills and safety measures to care for themselves and their children as they prepare for parenthood.

Learner's Permit Prep – A life skills class designed to support youth in preparing for the MVA Learner’s Permit. Youth get MVA links to practice tests, read through the MVA Learners Permit Manual & practice test and study road signs.

Learn N Burn - To provide BCDSS youth and staff with information about budgeting, shopping, and preparing meals at home. 

Quest to Success - A four day program offered during non-school hours to BCDSS youth aged 14-17 to acquire life skills in the areas of high school education, early employment, teen budgeting, and teen friend and relationships.

Love Notes (Sexual & Reproductive Health) - Comprehensive healthy relationship education curriculum that teaches adolescents and young adults (14-24) how to build healthy romantic relationships, prevent dating violence, and improve impulse control. Supports informed family planning decisions and avoidance of early and unintended pregnancies.