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Virginia Project SEARCH Initiatives: Internships that Lead to Employment

Virginia Project SEARCH Initiatives: Internships that Lead to Employment. Paul Wehman VCU-RRTC Alliance for Full Participation November 18, 2011. EXPLOSION!!!. 2008 - Project SEARCH began three years ago with one site 2011-2012 - Ten sites across the Commonwealth

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Virginia Project SEARCH Initiatives: Internships that Lead to Employment

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  1. Virginia Project SEARCH Initiatives: Internships that Lead to Employment Paul Wehman VCU-RRTC Alliance for Full Participation November 18, 2011

  2. EXPLOSION!!! • 2008 - Project SEARCH began three years ago with one site • 2011-2012 - 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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!

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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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 (2011-2012) • At this time our data indicates that 68 % of young adults who went through Project SEARCH are employed

  10. What do the numbers show (con’t) • Number of students who began in 2010-2011 = 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

  11. 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.

  12. 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

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

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

  15. “The High Road”

  16. 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

  17. Katie

  18. Katie • Strengths: • High energy • Outgoing personality • Hard worker • Challenges: • High Energy • Emotional highs and lows • Focus • Interpersonal boundaries

  19. Katie • Pacing • Setting personal boundaries • Developing professional relationships • Supports: • Visual supports • Relaxation exercises

  20. 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

  21. Questions?? • Paul Wehman, Ph.D., Director • pwehman@vcu.edu • 804-828-1851 • Jennifer McDonough, Virginia Project SEARCH Statewide Coordinator • jltodd@vcu.edu • 804-828-6984

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