1. Unique program – Individual success
Rapid city Regional Health Project Search

2. Trademarked and copyrighted international program
What is project search?
Trademarked and copyrighted international program
Business-led transition program
Located in Rapid City Regional Hospital
Established Model
Collaborative Partnerships
Currently 427 sites worldwide – more being established yearly –Canada, England, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Wales
-Partnerships: Rapid City Regional Health, Black Hills Special Services, Department of Human Services, Dakota Link, and School Districts
-PS has been in existence for 23 years

3. Who is Project search?
-Students with varying levels of disability
-Students with a desire to be competitively employed
-Ages 18-21
- Have met High School Graduation Requirements
-Individuals must be on an IPE with Vocational Rehabilitation
-no one category that “fits” project search- CI & ASD but also Visually impaired, Orthopedic Impairments, Multiple&OHI
-16 hrs per week, prevailing wage, non-seasonal, integrated setting
Age is not a barrier

4. Comparison of National Data 2018
People with Disabilities
People without Disabilities
Unemployment Rate: 8%
Employment Ratio – 30.4%
More likely to be in service
occupations
Less likely to be employed regardless of education
31 % work part time
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
Employment Ratio- 74%
More likely to be in
professional environments
More likely to be employed than disabled counterpart regardless of education
17% work part time
Target ages 16-64
Some College or associates employed vs 36,000 employed
*Taken from Bureau of Labor Statistics Released February 26th, 2019

5. Why Project Search

6. 3,026 Individuals Completed - 80% are employed
National Data
3,026 Individuals Completed - 80% are employed
70.2% employed over 16 hours a week
Average hourly wage is $9.98
Average hours worked per week 26.3
-70% meet PS Criteria

7. State Data 2018-2019 East River Sites
Aberdeen, Brookings and Sioux Falls Sites
Employment Rate - 90%
Average Wage - $10.75
Average Hours Worked

8. Local Data 2018-2109 Employment Rate: 100%
Employment Average : 91%
Average Wage: $12.35
Average Hours Worked: 31
Various Industries: Dietary, Human Resources, Sterilization, Service

9. What Project Search offers
Individualized Career Training
Robust Internship Opportunities
Training in Technology
Supports to Ensure Career Success
Parent/Family Support Sessions
Lean Model Instruction
PS is not a job sampling program- it is a career investment. Rotations are designed to help students meet career goals
Different rotations to meet need- many in professional settings
PS offers skills in alignment with today's careers- students receive at least 60 hrs of training on tech-more depending on career goals
Dec. Family Session- Benefits and the job
Able to catch issues or concerns immediately through direct instruction

10. What does the future Hold
Employment First State - Employment is First Priority - Project SEARCH fits the continuum
Sustainable Model
Offering of certifications and continued education
Overcome Disengagement/Disenfranchised
National Movement state adopted Dugaard’s 2016 State of the State address- working to make Employment the first priority and preferred outcome for people with disabilities
CPR & First Aid, Safe Serv, CAN/PCT training –pharm tech
-Reason people don’t have jobs- disengaged with the process, lack of opportunity/exposure to desired job fields, networking opportunities

11. Questions?