Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Who – What – When - Where and
Why’s
of Starting a Project SEARCH Program
PROJECT SEARCHVirginia
• A one school-year transition program designed for students with most significant disabilities in their last year of school
• A variety of work experiences provided within a “host business” in the student’s community
• A program where the main goal is competitive employment
PROJECT SEARCH IS:
Classroom: Employment Skills Functional Skills
Career Exploration Assessment of skills and interests
Work Experience Rotations Internships On the job training
Resulting in Integrated Competitive Employment
One Year School to Work Program
Began by Erin Riehle, MSN, RN in 1996 at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Erin designed a collaborative program among education, rehabilitation organizations and the heath-care community for individuals with significant barriers to employment
Read more about the program at: www.projectsearch.us
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/svc/alpha/p/search/
BACKGROUND OF PROGRAM
• 2008 - Project SEARCH began with one site
• 2015-2016 – Fifteen sites across the Commonwealth
• Project SEARCH is in 46 states, the UK and Australia
Project SEARCH in Virginia
Chesterfield County Richmond City Henrico County Williamsburg James City County York County Montgomery County Roanoke County Roanoke City Salem City Botetourt County Manassas City Tazewell County Norfolk City Hampton City Newport News City Alexandria City Augusta County Staunton City Waynesboro County Chesapeake City
School Divisions in Virginia
Bon Secours St. Francis HospitalBon Secours St. Mary’s HospitalVCU Health System (VCU Hospital)Sentara CarePlex HospitalCarilion ClinicSentara Williamsburg Regional Medical CenterCarilion New River Valley Medical CenterSentara Norfolk General HospitalClinch Valley Medical CenterPrince William HospitalInova Alexandria
Host Sites in Virginia
• Nationally – Local, State and Federal Government – Water and Power – Lottery – Banking and Insurance – Universities – Park Districts and Zoos – Manufacturing – Retirement Communities – Retail – Distribution Centers – Law Enforcement and Courthouses – Oil – Casinos
Where can PS Sites be found?
Approximately 107young adults are enrolled in a Project SEARCH program this year (2014-2015)
At this time our data indicates that 89 % of young adults who went through Project SEARCH are employed
Around 1/3 have been employed by the host business and 1/3 employed outside the host business
What do the numbers show?
We are seeing increased collaboration between schools, DARS, ESO’s, and businesses
Change in business culture Each partner contributes a part to the
success of the program as a whole.
What makes Project SEARCH Successful?
Student
8-12 Participants with a variety of disabilities
1 Teacher - Provided by the school 1 Job Coach – provided by the ESO 1 VR Counselor Host Business Liason/Contact
A Project SEARCH Site Generally Has:
Are 18 – 21 years old, in their last year of high school
Have appropriate hygiene, social and communication skills
Work three unpaid internships with continual feedback
Have an ability to take direction and change behavior
Have access to transportation Are able to pass a drug screen, background check,
and be willing to receive required immunizations Have a Desire to Work!
Students typically:
The major partners include DARS, Local Education Agencies (LEA), the participating host business, Employment Service Organizations (ESO) and long term funding sources.
Each partner agency contributes specific resources to the project such as teachers, classroom space, funding for job coaches.
All partners actively participate in student selection, project evaluation, decision-making and participate on an advisory council.
Each partner signs a Roles and Responsibilities Document
Project SEARCH PARTNERS
Intended for students who have the most significant disabilities
Students who need long term support
Students who need supported employment to be successful
DARS and Project SEARCH students
Funding for job coaches provided by an approved Employment Service Organization (ESO).
Guidance and Counseling from a VR Counselor
Involvement throughout the year and beyond
Participation in the selection process, implementation team and Project SEARCH activities throughout the year
DARS’s Contribution
Milestone 1 – Program Enrollment = $612.00
Milestone 2 – Internships = $918 X 3 ◦ Total $2700.00
Milestone 3 – Placement = $1887.00
Milestone 4 – Closure = $1,020.00
DARS funds job coaching through a milestone System
PLAN EARLY – a year of planning is the norm.
◦ Organize a team interested in hearing more about Project SEARCH
◦ Contact Jennifer McDonough, Virginia State Coordinator for Project SEARCH
◦ Contact Project SEARCH staff in Cincinnati to receive technical assistance and licensing agreement.
◦ Licensing agreement must be signed; must franchise the site to ensure fidelity to the model
STEPS TO GET STARTED?
FallOrganizational meetingsWinterOutreach and marketingIdentification of studentsApplicationsSpringSelection of studentsSummerPreparation to kick off in August
This is just a beginning – the list will grow.
STEPS TO GET STARTED
Project Search Annual TimelineApplications Due
(December) Selection Committee meets to review applications and rank applicants using Project Search scoring rubric (January)
Letters sent to selected candidates with deadline to respond if interested; additional screening done as needed (April)
Selected candidates invited to year end celebration and/or family night to visit Sentara and confirm entrance to program (May-June)
VR Counselors meet with applicants and families for intake and screening of VR eligibility and financial need (Jan-March)
Project Search IEPs completed (Summer)
Project Search team meets monthly to discuss internship placements, monitor interns’ progress,
and discuss job development (Sept-June)
• Jennifer McDonough Associate Director of Training/Project
Search Statewide Coordinator VCU RRTC 804.828.6984 [email protected]
State Contacts
Christina ArmstrongBusiness Manager, Disability ServicesCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 5030Cincinnati, OH 45229Phone: (513) [email protected] www.projectsearch.us
Project SEARCH Contact
Donna Bonessi, Employment Support Specialist, DRS-Support [email protected] Deans, Supported Employment and Project SEARCH, DRS-Support [email protected] 804.662.9371
DARS Project SEARCH Contact
