HomeContact Us
ABOUT US | CASE MANAGERS TOOLKIT | MOBILE TRAINING TEAM | FORM-LINK | DIRECTIONS | CONTACT US | DONATE

SUMMARY

EXPERIENCE

SCOPE OF SERVICES
  Technical Services
  Lease/Sourcing/Purchasing
  Administration
  Training Services
  Computer Specifications
  Operating Software Specifications

PRICES AND POLICIES

NEXT STEPS
  Software Price List
  Hardware Price List
  Training Modules
   ·Basic
   ·Enhanced

 

MOBILE TRAINING TEAM

Mobile Training Team - Center for Career Freedom

  • On-Site Training:
      MS Word, PowerPoint,
      Excel, Access,
      Outlook,
      Keyboarding, Internet, Graphics,
      GED, ESL, Educational and Recreational
      Games, Community Resources,
      PDR, FormLink and more...
  • Technical Support
  • Lease/Buy PC's and Programs at Educational Discounts
  • Free Technical Assessment & Consultation

SUMMARY

The Center for Career Freedom's Mobile Training Team enables community agencies in Westchester to acquire custom certified computer applications training, equipment and technical support at a fraction of the cost - while providing employment for persons with disabilities.

The goal of the Mobile Training Team is to establish cost effective Computer Resource Centers where the disadvantaged and disabled can advance their education and acquire work skills to become employed at a self-sustaining level. The length of usually weekly training depends on the level of consumer interest and available funds.

On-site turnkey training modules start at 2,400 for twelve two hour weekly training sessions for four to eight students. This includes two Microsoft Certified instructors, all training materials, student certificates and technical support. Training may be conducted utilizing the agency's own equipment and software or leased from the Center. Hardware and software purchases can also be arranged through the Center utilizing our substantial education discounts.

Consistent with the Center's mission, services are available to other non-profits, government agencies, and faith based programs whose mission is the rehabilitation and recovery of persons with disabilities and the disadvantaged. It is not limited to persons with psychiatric disabilities.

Back to top

EXPERIENCE

The Center for Career Freedom, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation with a mission of rehabilitation and recovery of persons with chronic psychiatric disabilities leading to competitive employment.

Programs include a Drop-In Center, assessment and advocacy funded by the Westchester Department of Community Mental Health, a Microsoft Certified Office User Training Center, NYS Education Department Registered Business School, Department of Social Services One Stop Workforce Training Provider and Social Security Ticket-To-Work Employment Network.

The Center for Career Freedom was founded in 1998, has over 350 members a staff of 12 and three volunteers.

All instructors are Microsoft certified, New York State Education Department registered and have at least one year intensive teaching experience at the Center.

The Center for Career Freedom 's technical staff have years of experience from system design to custom PC assembly to Tech support. They are well versed in the successful implementation of viral protection and operations security ("lock down").

Back to top

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Technical Services:

  • Assessment of the current equipment's capability to run the desired software programs. (See example appended)
  • The cost to upgrade, lease or replace current equipment with reconditioned or new hardware. (See price sheet)
  • Software installation, quality control and documentation.
Lease/Sourcing/Purchasing:
  • Hardware and software may be leased or sourced/purchased direct from the Center using our non-profit/educational discount. (See price sheet)
Administration:
  • Center executive staff are available to answer your questions, customize services, conduct opinion surveys, research software, etc.
Training Services:
  • Train-the-Trainer/Administrator operation of the computer, program navigation and overview (1-2 weeks).
  • Introductory Course Classes; e.g. Mavis Beacon Keyboarding, MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc. (12 week minimum).
  • On-going, year round programs of instruction.

Computer Specifications:

  Minimum
(Pentium 2)
Recommended
(Pentium 4)
Processor 600 MHZ 1.2 GHZ
Memory 64 MB 128 MB
Hard Drive 13 GB 20 GB
CD-ROM 32 X 48 X
Modem 56 K 56 K
Monitor 15" 17"

Operating Software Specifications:

  Minimum Recommended
Windows 2000 XP
Virus Protection Norton Norton
Lockdown Clean Slate XP

Examples of Software Applications:

Educational: GED, ESL English Now
Reference: MS/Encarta  
Job Prep/Work Skills: MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Access,
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
Applications for Services: Form-Link © (see appendix.)
Clinical: DSM-IVR, PDR, United Way Directory
Recreational & educational games

Back to top

PRICES AND POLICY

The appended "Price Sheet" lists current prices for popular software (retail and discounted), computers (reconditioned and new) and training modules.

Various computer training scenarios can be created by choosing the features desired and calculating the cost.

Questions such as whether it is cost effective to upgrade or replace current equipment and whether it is preferable to "Train the Trainer" or offer ongoing classes can be ascertained enabling the agency to buy/lease only the equipment, software and training modules necessary. Prices are tax exempt and discounted where possible.

Computers, parts and software manufacturers' warrantees are in effect, usually 90 days. Technical labor is guaranteed for 30 days. Costs incurred for computer parts and software should be paid prior to the start of the project. Training and technical and leasing fees are billed monthly. Normal staff time associated with travel, meetings, assessment and technical refinements is included. Technical servicing hours are M-F, 9-5. Additional requested technical service by appointment @ $45/Hr., availability permitting. Training time billed in two hour blocks; 2 hours/day consecutive.

We have found student/instructor ratios of 2-3:1 in 2 hour blocks with a 10" break 1-3 times/week are most effective and learning efficient. The Center for Career Freedom's Microsoft Office Suite training materials are included.

Back to top

NEXT STEPS

The first step is an on-site meeting by the Center's Mobile Training Team to assess current equipment/capabilities, goals, programs and budgetary guidelines.

The Center for Career Freedom's team is comprised of a Technician, Master Trainer and Administrator. Following assessment and goal clarification, a specific plan with budget(s) is formulated. There is no charge for this phase should the agency decide not to proceed.

SOFTWARE PRICE LIST
  (CompUSA) CENTER* DIFFERENCE
MS/Windows XP
Professional Operating System
300 100 200
Each Additional Computer 300 50 150
MS/Office XP Professional Office Suite
(Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook)
570 270 300
Each Additional Computer 570 170 400
Norton Anti virus 2003 40 40 --
Internet Security 2002 69 69 --
Clean Slate (Lock Down) 79 25 54
MS/Encarta Reference Library 72 25 47
English Now 8.0 for Spanish Speakers 40 40 --
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 15 Deluxe 40 40 --
GED 40 40 --
Games 50 50 --

*Includes Installation


HARDWARE PRICE LIST
  LEASE
(Pentium 2-3)
REMANUFACTURED
(E-Machine)
(T1220)
NEW
(DELL)
(Dell 2350)
Desktop PC w/Monitor $40/Mo. $370 $678
Processors: Intel Celeron 666 MHZ 1.2 GHZ 2.0 GHZ
Memory 64 MB 128 MB 128 MB
Hard Drive 13 GB 20 GB 30 GB
CD-ROM 32 X 48 X 48 X
Modem 56 K 56 K 56 K
MS Windows 2000 XP XP
Monitor 15" 17" 17"
Warranty Unltd. 90 Days 3 Yr. Service
Shipping & Handling Inc. 50 Inc.

Printers:
Figure about $100-$150 for a reliable one.

Adaptive Equipment:
A wide variety is on display at the Institute for Human Development at Westchester Medical Center (493-1317). We've found a trac ball (about $35) provides easier eye-hand coordination than a mouse.

Anti-Theft:
A cable with fasteners attached to monitor, computer and table runs about $50.

A Note About Upgrading:
Most PC upgrades are not cost-effective, e.g. to wipe off the hard drive and install Windows on a Pentium 1 or 2 requires about 4 hours ($200) due to its slow speed. The cost of expanding the memory and hard drive alone adds another $100 in parts and $50 in labor - a total of $350. In comparison, a remanufactured (like new) computer and monitor with ten times the speed and memory, etc. would cost about $420- $70 more than the upgrade with many more features.

TRAINING MODULES:

  Length of Program
Basic (8 Student Maximum)
2 Hours/Week
4 Students/Hr.
2 Instructors/Hr.
Weekly Technical Support
Choice of Instruction, Training Materials,
Student Certificates, Graduation
12 Weeks 26 Weeks 52 Weeks
Ceremony/Reception & Pictures 2,400 4,800 9,600


  Length of Program
Enhanced: (16 Student Maximum)
4 Hours/Week
4-6 Students/Hr.
Weekly Technical Support
Choice of Instruction, Training Materials,
Student Certificates, Graduation
12 Weeks 26 Weeks 52 Weeks
Ceremony/Reception & Pictures 4,200 8,400 16,800
 
Equipment/Software Leasing:
Includes computer, monitor, Printer,
software and maintenance
     
Two 240 480 960
Four 480 960 1,920
Six 720 1,440 2,880

Additional tech support hours are billed @ $45/Hr.

Back to top

 

DROP IN TRAINING COUNSELING RESEARCH-ARTICLES
Drop - In Training Counseling Research / Articles
 
  copyright © 2003-2006 Freecenter.org All rights reserved.