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

ProjectSEARCH@cchmc.org

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