Project SEARCH Arizona

2010

Project SEARCH is a nationally recognized one-year education and training program for students/adults with disabilities. This program began at Cincinnati Children?s Hospital Medical Center and has been replicated in more than forty states across the country as well as internationally. Project SEARCH targets students and adults with significant barriers to employment who are committed to finding employment in the community. The program takes place in an employment setting where participants experience total immersion in the workplace, enhancing the learning process through continuous feedback and the application of new skills. After a series of 3 -4 integrated internship rotations, the expectation for each young adult is employment or the active pursuit of employment, fortified with real work experience. Nationally, 82% of all Project SEARCH graduates obtain competitive employment. Typically, Project SEARCH internships concentrate on complex but systematic jobs not typically considered for workers with DD. Examples from Cincinnati Project SEARCH of internships and jobs performed by people with disabilities are materials management, sterilization and stocking of surgical trays, and data entry. There are four aspects that make Project SEARCH unique from other employment initiatives: 1) It is business led with support from community partners; 2) A focus on competitive paid employment in meaningful non-traditional jobs; 3) Sustainable braided funding model; and 4) Single point of entry-the business only works with one adult agency, and one lead education agency, streamlining the support of interns and employees with disabilities at the business. The inclusive nature of Project SEARCH also thrives on establishing natural supports within jobs to curb the need for extensive follow-along services. Through a person-centered approach individuals with developmental disabilities access job training and a greater variety of competitive job opportunities which is essential to their future earning power. By early 2009, Project SEARCH Arizona had developed a business plan to begin the project in August 2009 utilizing a school transition model. Through utilizing youth who already have Individual Plans for Employment (IPE) with RSA/VR, we have been able to gather most of the resources and funding together to start a small pilot of Project SEARCH Arizona in late August, leading to a larger and more sustainably funded cohort next year. PROJECT SEARCH ARIZONA PILOT AT UPH HOSPITAL IN TUCSON The Project SEARCH Arizona Pilot will start with 6 young adults with DD in a 9 month training program starting in late August at UPH Hospital.

internships competitive employment school to work

Employment-Related Activities

Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Empowerment Zone, Urban, Specific Groups

Single-County

N/A