Key Concepts Collaboration with business, education, rehabilitation (VR) and DD Collaboration with business, education, rehabilitation (VR) and DD Braided funding Braided funding Immersion and impact Immersion and impact Training in real work settings Training in real work settings Low risk, low cost for business Low risk, low cost for business Hiring students who are good fit Hiring students who are good fit Goal of employment Goal of employment

Project SEARCH is doing more than providing valuable work experiences for students. It is massaging and changing corporate culture and the receptivity of workplaces to employ people with disabilities. Project SEARCH is doing more than providing valuable work experiences for students. It is massaging and changing corporate culture and the receptivity of workplaces to employ people with disabilities. Diversity World Magazine, November 2006

Why is hiring people with disabilities important to our agency ? People with developmental disabilities receive our services – we want to be their provider of choice. Agency mission to advance public awareness and to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to become valued and contributing members of their communities. Our employees with disabilities serve as role models for other individuals and families and give them a sense of hope. Employment is the #1 priority of young adults – not healthcare – and belief in a productive future increases compliance. © CCHMC 1/3/06

Universal design helps all employees. As an organization that serves the public, we should mirror the public! The ability to attract national talent. Performance and retention in some high-turnover, entry-level positions is increased dramatically. © CCHMC 1/3/06

Benefits of Project SEARCH for School Districts Focus on preparation for employment: IDEA goal. Intense level of supervision from education, rehabilitation and business. Career exploration for those with little work experience. Partnership with agencies and business = shared cost + improved results.

Benefits for Students Post-secondary training and internship experience (no cost). Opportunity to work in high-status organization. Develop strength areas. Work toward independence in many areas such as transportation, daily living skills, etc.

Research Work Based Learning promotes: Work Based Learning promotes: Problem Solving Problem Solving Adult Thinking processes Adult Thinking processes Team work Team work Social relationships Social relationships

Program Description One school year program One school year program 6 – 8 students 6 – 8 students Students with a variety of disabilities Students with a variety of disabilities Last year of HS eligibility Last year of HS eligibility Rotation through unpaid internships with continual feedback Rotation through unpaid internships with continual feedback Outcome of employment Outcome of employment

Eligibility Guidelines 18 – 21 years old 18 – 21 years old Appropriate hygiene, social and communication skills Appropriate hygiene, social and communication skills Ability to take direction and change behavior Ability to take direction and change behavior Access public transportation Access public transportation Pass drug screen, background check, immunizations Pass drug screen, background check, immunizations Desire to Work! Desire to Work!

Application Process Attend Open House Attend Open House Complete Application Complete Application Eligibility for VR and DD Eligibility for VR and DD Student Interview/Assessment with Selection Committee Student Interview/Assessment with Selection Committee Develop Plan Develop Plan Travel Training Travel Training

School Day 8:30 Employability Skills 8:30 Employability Skills 9:15 Worksites 9:15 Worksites 11:30 Lunch 11:30 Lunch 12:00 Worksites 12:00 Worksites 2:00 Review, 2:00 Review,Journaling 2:30 Depart 2:30 Depart

Employability & Livability Skills Work Behavior Work Behavior Problem Solving Problem Solving Communication Communication Budgeting Budgeting Team Work Team Work Technology Technology

Annual Calendar JANUARY JUNE Graduate & Begin Work at Site or in Community Begin PS Program Coaching during 10 week rotations 2-week Orientation Orientation

Learning Continuum

Discipline Students are interns in facility Students are interns in facility Must adhere to disciplinary process of business Must adhere to disciplinary process of business Utilize managers to give initial guidance with instructor Utilize managers to give initial guidance with instructor

Internships Cornerstone Cornerstone Marketable Skills Marketable Skills 4 – 5 hours of day 4 – 5 hours of day Work/ Social Skills Work/ Social Skills weeks weeks Flexible Flexible Feedback & Assessment Feedback & Assessment

Student Role Identify area of interest Identify area of interest Write cover letter to department Write cover letter to department Send letter and resume/data sheet Send letter and resume/data sheet Interview for position Interview for position Department calls student to confirm Department calls student to confirm Notify teacher & department for absences Notify teacher & department for absences Continual Assessment Continual Assessment Give two weeks notice Give two weeks notice Participate in exit interview/Dept. Evaluation Participate in exit interview/Dept. Evaluation Write Thank You letter Write Thank You letter Update Portfolio Update Portfolio

Monthly Team Meetings Discuss skill acquisition, issues, progress Discuss skill acquisition, issues, progress Parents, VR Counselor, business rep, Instructor Parents, VR Counselor, business rep, Instructor Define and refine job goal Define and refine job goal All work toward employment All work toward employment

Responsibility and Funding: School Instructor (FTEs from students + weights) Instructor (FTEs from students + weights) Curriculum Curriculum Supplies Supplies Additional Staff Additional Staff

Responsibility and Funding: Lake County Board of DD/Deepwood Classroom: dedicated space preferred Classroom: dedicated space preferred Business liaison: minimum 10 % Business liaison: minimum 10 % Internships Internships Marketing Marketing

Responsibility and Funding: Vocational Rehabilitation Job Coaches Job Coaches Assistance with Assistance with Job Development Job Development Additional support leading to job independence Additional support leading to job independence

Funding: DD Ongoing liaison with Business: Follow Along, changes in employee and mandatory education Accommodations Build trust Deal with change!

Internships & Employment Opportunities

Evaluation / Outcomes Employment Wage Hours Benefits Students Trained