The Office of Special Education Programs and Initiatives (P&I) is responsible for the development and implementation of initiatives aimed at improving education and workforce development in South Carolina's communities. To this end, the University of Tennessee Space Institute has partnered with Alabama A&M University to create an aerodynamic and hypersonic engineering camp that will serve underrepresented rural and high school communities in North Alabama and South Tennessee, as well as the families of veterans and military personnel from the Redstone military community. The camps will be held in rural schools to provide students with hands-on educational experiences in STEM. The program's goal is to serve underrepresented and rural secondary education communities, while also developing a diverse and qualified portfolio for the S&T naval workforce. Through these camps, students will be inspired to explore STEM-related careers, gain access to tour local defense industry facilities and higher education campuses, and receive practical experience that will encourage interest in military STEM careers.
Additionally, the program will build a network of secondary school teachers in rural areas and provide materials focusing on relevant naval topics, such as aerodynamics, hypersonics and other areas of focus in basic engineering. The findings of this program will be published in an annual report to the governor and members of the South Carolina General Assembly. Furthermore, South Carolina's alternative evaluation portal is a gateway to all systems, educational resources, and guides to support South Carolina's alternative evaluation administration. SC-CREATE is a program supported by the Office of Special Education Programs and Initiatives that aims to develop a highly qualified workforce of special education and related services teachers in South Carolina's public and charter schools. SNAP E&T maintains ongoing partnerships with state agencies, technical schools, and community organizations in South Carolina. The E-Zone program encourages education and training by allowing South Carolina manufacturing companies to use the Retraining Tax Credit (E-Zone) program, which reimburses expenses related to training and education.
The South Carolina Transition Alliance is a comprehensive system improvement and technical assistance resource for professionals who work with students with disabilities. P&I oversees the Centers for the Reeducation and Advancement of Special Education and Related Services Staff (CREATE), the South Carolina Educational Interpretation Center (SCEIC), and organizes professional learning opportunities for general and special educators. South Carolina has a large number of SNAP participants who are unemployed or underemployed, who may need help finding work, training, improving their skills, or receiving education or vocational training. This will improve their opportunities to obtain and keep a job, as well as progress in the workforce. We help develop infrastructure, medical support, and model multidisciplinary offices in rural offices in South Carolina to support electives for residents, student rotation, and multidisciplinary health education. Career BOOST (Building Occupational Options for Students in Transition) is a contractual partnership between the SCVRD, the SCCB, South Carolina Independent Living Centers, the South Carolina National Federation of the Blind, and public schools.
The South Carolina Department of Educational Services (OSES) is dedicated to providing high-quality resources and services to support positive student outcomes when it comes to mental and behavioral health needs. High school seniors in South Carolina have the opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate's degree or bachelor's degree while completing their high school graduation requirements. Addresses rural health care needs in South Carolina by promoting the hiring and retention of health providers, providing resource development opportunities, and training students in health professions on the unique needs of rural South Carolina residents. South Carolina is in a position to continue offering high-quality workforce development programs and activities that prepare job seekers for high-demand, high-wage careers.
