building blocks for developing a project search site texas transition conference
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Building Blocks for developing a Project SEARCH site Texas Transition Conference February 21-22, 2012. Sources : - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Building Blocks for developing a Project SEARCH siteTexas Transition ConferenceFebruary 21-22, 2012Sources: High School Transition that Works! Lessons Learned from Project SEARCH, Datson, Riehle, Rutkowski 2012; Project SEARCH website, www.projectsearch.us; Project SEARCH 101, Riehle 2012
The Project SEARCH High School Transition Program is a unique, business led, one year school-to-work program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations.
The Model
The HistoryDeveloped at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in 1996, when the Director of
Cincinnati Children’s Emergency Department felt that, because the hospital served individuals with intellectual disabilities, it made sense they should
commit to hiring people in this group.
The GoalThe goal for each participant is competitive
employment. Project SEARCH provides real-life work experience combined with training in
employability and independent living skills to help individuals with intellectual disabilities make
successful transitions to employment.
The Timeline
The Partners
• Education: School District, Career Technical School, Educational Service Center, etc.
• Vocational Rehabilitation (DARS)
• Community Rehabilitation Partner (provider of job coaching and job development)
• Long-term provider (usually a developmental disabilities organization that provides follow-along services)
• Business (can begin planning before host business is identified)
The RolesPartner Personnel and Supports Source of Funding
Education
Instructor, curriculum, supplies (sometimes a Teacher's Assistant or Para-Professional)
FTE for each student from state and local funding. (need 8-12 students to pay for instructor)
Vocational RehabilitationProvide case management and sponsors students to support job coaching and job development
State/Federal funding - Students must be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation
Community Rehabilitation Partner
Provides job coaching and job development
Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid, etc.
Developmental Disability Agency (Long-Term Service Provider)
Provides long-term employment support for retention and career advancement
Possible sources:•Medicaid Waiver•DD Support•Ticket-to-Work
Business
Business Liaison (10% FTE); onsite classroom/training room; internships sites; hosting of some marketing events, such as open houses
In-Kind Human Resources
The Components1. The outcome of the program is integrated employment for each
participant.2. Collaboration: Project SEARCH is a partnership with support and
resources from Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Long-term support agency, and a Community Rehabilitation Provider.
3. Program is business led.4. The partners provide a consistent on-site staff in order to achieve a
single point of entry.5. Program focus is on serving young adults with (a variety of)
developmental disabilities.6. Braided funding is in place between the non-business partners.7. There is total immersion of students and/or employees at the host
business.8. Partners will agree on the definition of employment and data will be
collected on participants and employment outcomes using the Project SEARCH data base.
9. Project SEARCH graduates receive Follow Along services to retain employment.
10. Each site has a licensing agreement signed with Project SEARCH Cincinnati through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
The License
Every Project SEARCH effort requires a licensing agreement from the National Project SEARCH office
The Business
A host business for Project SEARCH ideally has:200+ employees or associates
A cafeteria on siteA variety of jobs
Easy access to a public transportation route
Project SEARCH is a natural match for the healthcare setting, however the model has been successfully replicated in universities, banks, public/private businesses and just
recently, at the US Department of Education and the US Department of Labor.
The Lessons Learned
Collaboration is keyApproaches to vocational strategies typically differ, but Project SEARCH is about transformation and systemic change with partners in order to build a strong program
Find a champion in each partnerSomeone who is a leader and has innovative vision
Implementation takes timePlan ahead and give all partners time to prepare accordingly
Strong communicationBreakdown in communication is likely to happen with so many people and organizations involved so develop a detailed communication plan that includes all partners
The Story
The Great News for Texas!
Project SEARCH TechWorks for Texas
•The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities has awarded a grant to Texas Tech to assist in the rollout for Project SEARCH statewide
What will TechWorks do?
•Collaborate with state agencies•Collaborate with local community teams•Document Lessons Learned for how to do Project SEARCH in Texas
Collaboration with Communities•Provide seed funding for 3 new Texas communities per year.•Assist communities with information about Project SEACH.•Assist community teams with preparation for training and technical assistance from Project SEARCH.
Project SEARCH TechWorks
DeAnn Lechtenberger, Project DirectorBurkhart Center for Autism Education & ResearchTexas Tech UniversityLubbock, Texas806-742-1997 ext 324