1. The Who – What – When - Where and Why’s of Starting a Project SEARCH Program

2. A one school-year transition program designed for students with most significant disabilities in their last year of school A variety of work experiences provided within a “host business” in the student’s community A program where the main goal is competitive employment

3. Classroom:  Employment Skills  Functional Skills Career Exploration  Assessment of skills and interests Work Experience  Rotations Internships  On the job training Resulting in Integrated Competitive Employment

4.  Began by Erin Riehle, MSN, RN in 1996 at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital  Erin designed a collaborative program among education, rehabilitation organizations and the heath-care community for individuals with significant barriers to employment  Read more about the program at: www.projectsearch.us http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/svc/alpha/ p/search/ http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/svc/alpha/ p/search/

5. 2008 - Project SEARCH began with one site 2015-2016 – Fifteen sites across the Commonwealth Project SEARCH is in 46 states, the UK and Australia

6.  Chesterfield County  Richmond City  Henrico County  Williamsburg James City County  York County  Montgomery County  Roanoke County  Roanoke City  Salem City  Botetourt County  Manassas City  Tazewell County  Norfolk City  Hampton City  Newport News City  Alexandria City  Augusta County  Staunton City  Waynesboro County  Chesapeake City

7. Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital 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 Inova Alexandria

8. 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

9.  Approximately 107young adults are enrolled in a Project SEARCH program this year (2014- 2015)  At this time our data indicates that 89 % of young adults who went through Project SEARCH are employed  Around 1/3 have been employed by the host business and 1/3 employed outside the host business

10.  We are seeing increased collaboration between schools, DARS, ESO’s, and businesses  Change in business culture  Each partner contributes a part to the success of the program as a whole. Student BusinessState VRSchoolESO

11.  8-12 Participants with a variety of disabilities  1 Teacher - Provided by the school  1 Job Coach – provided by the ESO  1 VR Counselor  Host Business Liason/Contact

12.  Are 18 – 21 years old, in their last year of high school  Have appropriate hygiene, social and communication skills  Work three unpaid internships with continual feedback  Have an ability to take direction and change behavior  Have access to transportation  Are able to pass a drug screen, background check, and be willing to receive required immunizations  Have a Desire to Work!

13.  The major partners include DARS, Local Education Agencies (LEA), the participating host business, Employment Service Organizations (ESO) and long term funding sources.  Each partner agency contributes specific resources to the project such as teachers, classroom space, funding for job coaches.  All partners actively participate in student selection, project evaluation, decision-making and participate on an advisory council.  Each partner signs a Roles and Responsibilities Document

14.  Intended for students who have the most significant disabilities  Students who need long term support  Students who need supported employment to be successful

15.  Funding for job coaches provided by an approved Employment Service Organization (ESO).  Guidance and Counseling from a VR Counselor  Involvement throughout the year and beyond  Participation in the selection process, implementation team and Project SEARCH activities throughout the year

16.  Milestone 1 – Program Enrollment = $612.00  Milestone 2 – Internships = $918 X 3 ◦ Total $2700.00  Milestone 3 – Placement = $1887.00  Milestone 4 – Closure = $1,020.00

17. PLAN EARLY – a year of planning is the norm. ◦ Organize a team interested in hearing more about Project SEARCH ◦ Contact Jennifer McDonough, Virginia State Coordinator for Project SEARCH ◦ Contact Project SEARCH staff in Cincinnati to receive technical assistance and licensing agreement. ◦ Licensing agreement must be signed; must franchise the site to ensure fidelity to the model

18. Fall Organizational meetings Winter Outreach and marketing Identification of students Applications Spring Selection of students Summer Preparation to kick off in August This is just a beginning – the list will grow.

19. Project Search Annual Timeline Applications Due (December) Selection Committee meets to review applications and rank applicants using Project Search scoring rubric (January) Letters sent to selected candidates with deadline to respond if interested; additional screening done as needed (April) Selected candidates invited to year end celebration and/or family night to visit Sentara and confirm entrance to program (May-June) VR Counselors meet with applicants and families for intake and screening of VR eligibility and financial need (Jan-March) Project Search IEPs completed (Summer) Project Search team meets monthly to discuss internship placements, monitor interns’ progress, and discuss job development (Sept-June)

20. Jennifer McDonough Associate Director of Training/Project Search Statewide Coordinator VCU RRTC 804.828.6984 jltodd@vcu.edu

21.  Christina Armstrong Business Manager, Disability Services Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 5030 Cincinnati, OH 45229 Phone: (513) 304-9644 Christina.Armstrong@cchmc.org www.projectsearch.us Christina.Armstrong@cchmc.org www.projectsearch.us

22. Donna Bonessi, Employment Support Specialist, DRS-Support Team Donna.bonessi@dars.virginia.gov 804.662.7177 Matthew Deans, Supported Employment and Project SEARCH, DRS-Support Team Matthew.Deans@dars.virginia.gov 804.662.9371