Educational Programs Inspiring Communities Inc

From August to May, H.E.A.R.T. collaborates with Houston Independent School District, Galena Park Independent School District, and Channelview Independent School District in vocational training programs designed to address gaps in the special education system. This self-contained program provides classroom education and vocational training to better prepare graduating seniors to enter the workforce after graduation. The school districts transport, provide meals, and administer the required standard classroom education for the students while H.E.A.R.T. implements the job skills and employment training in food service, food supply chain operations, vending, and concessions, to help these students be "job-ready and give them work experience before they graduate. Continued on Schedule O.Learning how to prepare hot meals, chop fruits and vegetables, and operate a pallet jack and forklift are just a few of the activities that H.E.A.R.T. students learn every weekday through the program. This program gives students experience in a wide variety of environments without having to coordinate transportation to different places or have many different supervisors.

Through a partnership with CVS Health, EPIC offers a 10-week retail training program for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities who are interested in working in a retail environment. The program is free for participants and offers the first "mock store" in the state of Texas. Trainees receive classroom instruction and hands-on training at the mock store before transitioning to an 80-hour externship at a local CVS. Upon completion of the program, participants are eligible for hire in a CVS store.