Public Assistance to Entrepreneurship (PA2E)
The Public Assistance to Entrepreneurship Program (PA2E) offers classes on starting a business. Courses are conducted virtually and/or in a classroom setting with other Department of Human Services (DHS) customers in your local area. The primary goal is to provide entrepreneurship training for customers with ideas and talent, who are in pursuit of their entrepreneurial dreams of starting a small business while supporting their families. DHS conveniently partners with the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) regionally across the State.
Potential Candidates:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Temporary Cash Assistance Recipients
- Non-Custodial Parents
- Foster Youth
- Veterans on Assistance
Course Length and Times:
Duration is approximately 6 weeks long and includes 8 courses. Classes are 1-2 times per week for approximately two hours each. Courses are held in the Spring and Fall.
Course List:
- Entrepreneurship 101
- Marketing Research
- Financial Statements
- Creating a Business Plan
- Credit Restoration
- A to Z Loan Process
- Social Media Marketing
- Business Plan Presentation
Benefits:
- Entrepreneurship Training
- Workforce Development Training Credit
- Group Setting with Peers
- SBDC Business Consultants
Success Stories:
Frederick Entrepreneur Honored by State, County
The Maryland Department of Human Services and the Frederick County Department of Social Services honored Frederick entrepreneur, Alice Mbuyi, for her business achievements nine months after completing the agency’s Public Assistance to Entrepreneurship Program.
Frederick Entrepreneur Achieves Greater Success After Completing the Maryland Department of Human Services’ Public Assistance to Entrepreneurship Program
Frederick, MD — The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Frederick County Department of Social Services honored a Frederick entrepreneur on August 7, 2019, for her remarkable business achievements nine months after completing the agency’s Public Assistance to Entrepreneurship Program (PA2E).
Frederick gas station owner aspires to turn part of site into takeout eatery
For now, the BP gas station on West Seventh Street in Frederick looks exactly like a gas station.
PA2E celebrates three Shore entrepreneurs
CAMBRIDGE — Local Department of Social Services directors, Maryland Small Business Development Center representatives and others convened in Dorchester County to honor three entrepreneurs from the Eastern Shore.
Helping people from public assistance to business ownership
Tears welled in Alicia Crawford’s eyes as she recalled the ways people helped her start her Hagerstown hair studio.
Maryland DHS Celebrates Public Assistance to Entrepreneurship Strategy Graduates
On August 1, local Department of Social Services (DSS) directors, Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) representatives, and others convened at the Dorchester County DSS to honor three entrepreneurs from Maryland’s Upper Shore; Talisha Dodd of Talbot County was among the three praised for distinction.