Project SEARCH: Lessons Learned and Sustainability 2009 MIG Employment Summit

1. Project SEARCH: Lessons Learned and Sustainability2009 MIG Employment Summit

2. Key Concepts • Collaboration • Braided funding • Training in real work settings • Immersion and impact • Meet the needs of business • High Expectations-people with disabilities can perform complex, systematic jobs • Goal of employment

3. Transition Model • One-year program • 8-12 students • Students with significant disabilities • Last year of HS eligibility/exit year • Rotation through unpaid internships with continual feedback • Outcome of employment

4. Key Partners School: Full time on-site Teacher • Recruitment/Selection • Job-based curriculum • Rotation development, job analysis/training Provider: 1+ On-site Job Coach • Recruitment/Selection • Transportation training, rotation development, job analysis/training, job accommodations and modifications • Readily available to the business, on-site, provides follow along

5. Key Partners Continued Business: Liaison (Employee of the Business) • Recruitment of Managers/Departments • Liaison for all business-related tasks (badges, applications, meeting space, etc.) • Close communication with team; monthly team meetings Vocational Rehabilitation: VR Counselor Liaison • Recruitment/Selection • Manage Caseload • Authorize for necessary services (benefits planning, accommodations, uniform, job placement, etc.)

6. 5th Partner Statewide Project SEARCH Coordinator • Unique to Indiana • Holds Licensing Agreement and acts as a single point of contact with Project SEARCH national • Ensures quality, integrity and compliance with Project SEARCH standards & statewide consistency • Provides broad-based, on-going training and technical assistance to sites • Will collect and analyze measurable and anecdotal data for outcome evaluation

7. Funding for SEARCH MIG Funding Statewide Coordinator; Training, TA, QA, Evaluation $7500 Start-up for each new site School Funding FT Teacher and back-up staff Transportation, Lunches, Classroom Supplies VR Funding Funds Provider under Results-Based Funding (RBF) Funds additional services as necessary (BIN, accommodations, uniform, etc.)

8. VR RBF for SEARCH 6 milestone payments Selection and Orientation $1500 1st Internship $1000 2nd Internship $1000 3rd Internship $1000 Job placement $1500 Stabilization/Successful Closure $3000 TOTAL$9000 *Transfer to Supported Employment Follow Along

9. Project SEARCH Indiana Roll-out • Feb 2008: Pilot Site with 5 students operated under VR grant • Fall 08: 3 Sites Operating with 8-12 students each • Spring 09: 2 hires at Intern sites • Fall 09: 6-8 Sites Operating (1-2 Adult model) • Fall 10: 10 Sites Operating • Long-term goals: viable Project SEARCH sites throughout the state; exploration of an adult model; examination of its adaptability other business settings and to rural settings

10. Benefits of Project SEARCH • Focus on preparation for employment; transferable skills that lead to good paying jobs • Intense level of supervision and feedback from education, rehabilitation and business • Career exploration and work experience • Benefits Business and Consumer • Shows Business that people with disabilities are valuable employees • Sustainable Model

11. Lessons Learned • Site and state-specific adaptations • Adequate planning w/ partners is critical • Everyone understanding each other’s roles • Identification of internships ongoing—know capacity • Non-school transportation • Behaviors /maturity of students • Maintaining high expectations for ALL • Keeping SEARCH just one of an array of options • *GO SLOW; It’s extremely important to take time to build relationships and ensure buy-in from all partners before starting. WE ARE STILL LEARNING

12. Contact Information Theresa.Koleszar@fssa.in.gov Theresa Koleszar MS, CRC Director of Program Support Bureau of Rehabilitation Services 402 W. Washington St. Rm W453, MS-20 Indianapolis, In 46204 317-232-1432