Project SEARCH Preparing Students for Employment MI TOP Spring Institute June 2015

Overview  Model Basics  Partnerships  Education: Things to Consider  MI Statewide Initiative  Licensing & Technical Assistance Requirements  Funding Moving Forward – Next Steps  Resources & Contacts

“It’s better to be prepared, than scared” Kristie, Project SEARCH Intern

Project SEARCH- Michigan How we Got Here

What is Project SEARCH  Transition based employment model  Goal is competitive employment.  Real-life work experience  Extensive period of training and career exploration  Project SEARCH Transition Program-long-term changes in business culture

Project SEARCH Foundation  People with disabilities have the right to choose a path toward education and employment. However, while freedom of choice is given, the right to work is earned. Earning the right to work is dependent upon the student's preparation. Simon, Stephen ADA Quarterly, Fall 1998.

State Level Recognition Health & Wellness Report MI ASD State Plan

Project SEARCH Michigan 1 &

Project SEARCH Michigan Bay Arenac – Delta College Detroit (2*)- Blue Cross & DTE Grand Rapids (2)- 5 th /3 rd Bank & Spectrum Health Kalamazoo- Bronson Hospital Lenawee –Tecumseh- ProMedica Health System Monroe- ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Montcalm Co. – Spectrum Health Oakland Co. (2) – Henry Ford W. Bloomfield & Beaumont Health System- Troy

New Sites Calhoun Co. – Duncan Aviation Dearborn – Henry Ford Village Detroit *- DTE

Model Basics Project SEARCH Overview

General Info  1997 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital –  Erin Riehle & Susie Rutkowski  Model: business, education, VR, and mental health  International web-based data system  Licensing Agreement with Project SEARCH  350+ sites in existence and growing  46 states /state initiatives  UK, Israel, Australia, Canada, & New Zeeland  Wide mix of rural and urban  Huge districts and very small (collaboration )

Benefits of Project SEARCH  Partnership- business, vocational rehabilitation, mental health, and education  350 sites national & international  Support from Cincinnati and the MI sites  Offers high level work based learning experience for student= increase employment  Added level of credibility  Contributes to diversity and culture of host business

Project SEARCH Credibility Diversity

Macomb Oakland Regional Center (MORC) Annual Report

Benefits of Project SEARCH

Partnerships MRS MUST BE A PARTNER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE STATE INITIATIVE FUNDS Developmental Disabilities Provider

Project SEARCH School Transition Model  Program length is one school year (Sept-June)  10 to 12 students - variety of disabilities  Certified instructor and job coaches  Last year of high school or school eligibility  No school provided transportation  3 rotations through unpaid internships to develop marketable and transferrable skills  Business liaison and department mentors offer support and continual feedback to the students  Outcome is competitive employment

Student Criteria  Be at least 18 years of age.  Agree the 1-year PS will be the last year of school eligibility.  Not yet met the requirements for a diploma  May be diploma or non-diploma courses of study  Meet eligibility requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation  Meet eligibility requirements for mental health services (optional)

Student Criteria  Have independent personal hygiene, grooming, daily living skills.  Be able to communicate effectively.  Ability to obtain transportation to the Project SEARCH business site.  Meet business requirements (grooming, drug testing, nicotine use, vaccinations, etc.)

Student Criteria – These Factors Go A Long Way…  Personality  Cooperativeness  Team player  Contributor

2014 Employment Outcome Awards  Annual Conference in Omaha, NE 110 sites, 26 states, 3 countries were recognized for 60%-100% employment for 2013 completers  Employment Definition  Employment - Integrated Setting  Year Round Work  16 Hours per week or more  Prevailing Wage

Partnerships Team Members & Roles

Partnerships MRS MUST BE A PARTNER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE STATE INITIATIVE FUNDS Developmental Disabilities Provider

Partnerships Education Local or ISD Teacher Transition Support IEP Connecting student/families with agencies Mental Health- Provider Agencies Job Coaching Connection to PCP Follow Along- Long Term Supports Vocational Rehabilitation MI Rehabilitation Services (MRS) Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) Job Coaching Job Development Job Placement Follow Along Business Liaison Classroom space Departments for Internship Rotations Consideration for Employment Student Intern

Funding: Statewide Initiative to Increase Project SEARCH Sites Funding Source, Team Readiness, and Application

Licensing and Technical Assistance (TA) Requirements  Licensing- $300 annual renewal  Technical Assistance - $15,000 (3 required TA)  Project SEARCH Program Implementation  Program Overview (2 Day)  Employability Curriculum, Family Involvement, & Student Selection  Employer Education and Internship Development  Susie Rutkowski – Co-Director, MI TA

Where is the Funding? MI Department of Community Health (MDCH) Interagency Agreement Funds will be moved to Department of Human Services (DHS) & MI Rehabilitation Services (MRS) for Project SEARCH

How Funding Works $500,000 draws down $1,351,852 = $1,851,852 Help existing sites this year At least four new sites

Is your team ready?  MRS and education have agreed to participate in PS programming  You have fully explored CMH involvement  Your employer is on board  Education is willing to pay for the teacher’s salary in full after two years  Your team can set time aside for PS trainings and evaluations

PS Funding Applications Completed by MRS managers with input from PS team First come first serve for this year (existing sites) Review process for next year (new sites)

Application for Funds Existing Sites Annual Licensing Fee Job Coaching Job Development & Placement Follow Along New Sites Licensing Fee Required Technical Assistance Soft Skills & Job Readiness Teacher Costs 100% 1 st yr Job Coaching Job Development & Placement Follow Along

2 Applications for Funds Current SitesNew Sites

Moving Forward: Is Project SEARCH Right for your Area? Current, New, Needing More Info, Contacts, Resources

Moving Forward- Next Step Is Project SEARCH Right for your Area?  Review your data – student numbers, eligibilities, diploma/non-diploma, postsecondary numbers, outcomes…  Determine interest & commitment of all partners  Explore community resources- businesses, travel logistics, employment opportunities  Learn more about the Project SEARCH Model  Can you move forward or sustain if the state level funding was not available?  Are your students/families committed to employment?

Resources   Project SEARCH – Varnum Award Video Project SEARCH – Varnum Award Video Available on Amazon

Contacts  Project SEARCH  Susie Rutkowski- Co-Director & MI Technical Assistance Advisor   Statewide Initiative Funding  Cynthia Wright – MI Rehabilitation Services    Education and Michigan Site Information  Cathy Schmidt - Oakland Schools  