PAUL WEHMAN VCU-RRTC ALLIANCE FOR FULL PARTICIPATION NOVEMBER 18, 2011 Virginia Project SEARCH Initiatives: Internships that Lead to Employment

EXPLOSION!!! Project SEARCH began three years ago with one site Ten sites across the Commonwealth Many more school division personnel and DRS Transition Counselors are expressing interest in developing a Project SEACH site in their locality

Award Winning Program! 2011 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Project SEARCH International Conference Virginia sites who had 100% placement in 2009 – 2010 school year awarded “Employment Champions”  Bon Secours - St. Mary’s  Chesterfield County Government Center

Overall Goals and Key Concepts Employment Change in Business Culture – PS is business led with collaboration among education, VR and long term support Shared funding, braided funding  VDOE has dedicated grant funds to build an infrastructure for Project SEARCH in Virginia  Commissioner Rothrock has dedicated funding for job coaching for ten sites this year

What makes Project SEARCH Successful? Collaboration is the KEY! WE are seeing increased collaboration between schools, DRS, ESO’s, and businesses Each partner contributes a part to the success of the program as a whole. Everybody wins! Student BusinessState VRSchoolESO

Thoughtful, Deliberate Communication is Critical State Coordinator State Leaders Business Advisory Council Local Teams

Where can PS Sites be found? 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

Host Businesses in Virginia Chesterfield County Government Center Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital VCU Health System (VCU Hospital) Sentara CarePlex Hospital Carilion Clinic Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center Carilion New River Valley Medical Center Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Clinch Valley Medical Center Prince William Hospital

What do the numbers show? 93 young adults completed a Project SEARCH program since its inception 80 y0ung adults are enrolled in a Project SEARCH program this year ( ) At this time our data indicates that 68 % of young adults who went through Project SEARCH are employed

What do the numbers show (con’t) Number of students who began in = 67 Number who were employed by host site = 26 Number who were employed outside host site = 23 Number currently in job development = 18 This is as of September, 2011

Project Search Summary Project Search clients earned more money at closure than Non-Project search clients. Project Search clients worked more hours at closure than Non-Project Search clients. Project Search clients were employed in their field of training at higher rate than Non-Project Search clients. Seven Project Search clients were able to move off SSI. The supported employment cost for Project Search Clients was less than for Non-Project Search Clients.

What Can We Do To Impact Retention and Growth? Educate staff Disability awareness training -how the disability effects learning rather than the diagnosis Job coach techniques High expectations Knowledge of Project SEARCH Goals

Aiden “Professional” work habits Body positioning Building professional friendships Supports:  Visual aids  Role play

Aiden Strengths:  Engaging personality  Strives to please his employer Challenges  Tactile Stimulated  Invades personal space  Cursing  Problem Solving when an issue arises

“The High Road”

Aiden’s Internships to Employment Path Internships:  Radiology  Engineering  Infection Control Employment  Infection Control  Maintain Infection Control carts  Remove supplies, wipe down, return materials to drawers  Restock and charge departments for supplies

Katie

Strengths:  High energy  Outgoing personality  Hard worker Challenges:  High Energy  Emotional highs and lows  Focus  Interpersonal boundaries

Katie Pacing Setting personal boundaries Developing professional relationships Supports:  Visual supports  Relaxation exercises

Katie’s Internships to Employment Path Internships:  Ambulatory Care  Central Sterile  Main Operating Room Employment  Surgical Care Technician – Main Operating Room  Stocking supplies  Replenish blanket warmers  Stock scrub in sinks  Turns over patient rooms

Questions?? Paul Wehman, Ph.D., Director   Jennifer McDonough, Virginia Project SEARCH Statewide Coordinator  