Organization Name: GMS Partners, Inc.

Address: 1122 Kersey Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20902

Telephone: 301-649-6354

Fax: 301-593-0688

Web Site: www.gmspartnersinc.org

Contact: Grace M. Sammon
Phone: 301-649-6354
E-mail: gms@gmspartnersinc.org

Contact: Antonia Moreno Essig
Phone: 301-649-6354
E-mail: aessig@gmspartersinc.org

Size (# staff, # sites): 3 staff, 7 consultants, currently operating in 10 states (DC, FL, GA, IL, MI, NJ, NM, NY, OK, TX)

Mission/goal: to assist schools, school systems and community partners in the development of effective programs and strategies to implement career academies and small learning communities through the valuing of their current strengths and by focused attention to the creation of positive, small learning environments; strong, multi-tiered partnerships; and high standards, integrated curriculum.

Overview of services of interest to career academies: GMS offers a range of print and CD ROM materials that include creation of multi-year work-based experiences for youth and a comprehensive guide to creating and sustaining small learning communities and career academies. In addition, GMS works directly with schools, school systems, and their supportive partners to design and implement effective staff development, strategic planning, and implementation to move teams to the creation and containment of career academies and small learning communities. The desired approach is to work in a long-term, systemic, approach to successful schools rather than one-stop, quick consulting.

Regularly sponsored conferences/ institutes/ workshops (for whom, what, where, when, cost): GMS provides regular workshops for teachers, administrators and partners, and tailors them directly to the current needs of the school. A complete list of workshops is available at the website. Contractual services are billed at a rate in keeping with current costs, travel expenses, and the needs and capabilities of clients. At this time, an annual health career academy conference is planned for late July/early August each year.

Available on-site services (for whom, what, where, cost): Workshops, strategic planning, consulting, team building, facilitation, implementation strategies… see a complete list at the web address.

Documents/ materials (for whom, what, cost): There are currently 4 books/manuals of specific interest to career academies. Building and Sustaining Small Learning Communities: A practitioners Guide and CD ROM for career academies and other small learning communities and a 3 series set of workplace skill programs for youth focused on approved health career skill standards. Ready in July of 2001 will be a comprehensive, four year sequence of employability programs for students, based on SCANS skills, and accompanied by a CD ROM. Costs and shipping charges are posted on the web page.

For more information: See the GMS Partners web page or call, toll free, at 866-649-6354.