START & Project SEARCH
Partnership
Year 2 Continued Learning…
Project Search Overview – State and
Site
START/GVSU -Building Your Future
Supporting Interns - Lessons Learned
Introductions and Roles
Marjorie Mayberry
Carolyn VanNoord
Intern:
Brian Connors
Office of Disability Employment
Policy (ODEP)
December 2013
Youth with ASD 80-95%
Unemployment
Project SEARCH
People with disabilities are incredibly
capable of complex work, as long as,
they have the training and as long as it’s
systematic. Jobs like this are incredibly
complex, but they’re incredibly
systematic. It actually ends up being a
perfect job,”
 Erin Riehle, Founder & Director,
Project SEARCH
Why Project SEARCH?
Research in the Field
Project SEARCH for Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Increasing
Competitive Employment On Transition From High School
Paul Wehman – 2010/11
http://pbi.sagepub.com/content/early/2012/10/11/1098300712459760
Natural
Supports
Positive
Behavioral
Supports
Staff trained in
ASD and best
practices
High intensity
instruction in
natural
environment
Project Search – Research
supports the new model
Mentoring
Project SEARCH
 1997 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital –
 Erin Riehle & Susie Rutkowski
 Model: business, education, VR, and mental health
 International web-based data system
 Licensing Agreement with Project SEARCH
 275 sites in existence and growing
 40 states /state initiatives
 England, Scotland, Australia, Canada, & New Zeeland
 Wide mix of rural and urban
 Huge districts and very small (collaboration )
Host Business Sites
Around the Globe
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Local, State and Federal Government
Water and Power
Medical/Health Systems
Banking and Insurance
Universities
Park Districts and Zoos
Manufacturing
Retirement Communities
Retail : GSK, Cargill, Medtronic, Wegman’s, etc.
Distribution Centers
Law Enforcement and Courthouses
Oil, Casinos, Lottery
Project SEARCH School
Transition Model
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Program length is one school year (Sept-June)
10 to 12 students - variety of disabilities
Certified instructor and job coaches
Last year of high school or school eligibility
 No school provided transportation
 3 rotations through unpaid internships to develop
marketable and transferrable skills
 Business liaison and department mentors offer
support and continual feedback to the students
 Outcome is competitive employment
Student Criteria
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Be at least 18 years of age.
Agree the 1 year PS will be the last year of school eligibility.
Meet eligibility requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation
Meet eligibility requirements for mental health services-.
(This is preferred but not necessary).
 Have independent personal hygiene, grooming, daily living
skills.
 Be able to communicate effectively.
 Ability to obtain transportation to the Project SEARCH
business site.
Student Criteria
 Have previous experience such as work based learning
through school, volunteerism, or paid work).
 Pass background checks.
 Maintain appropriate behavior and social skills in the
workplace.
 Desire and plan to work competitively in the community
at the conclusion of the Project SEARCH program.
Project SEARCH Michigan
State Level Recognition
Adult Supports & Services
Project SEARCH in Michigan
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Grand Rapids – Fifth Third Bank & Spectrum Health
Monroe – Mercy Memorial Hospital
Bay-Arenac – Delta College
Detroit – Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Oakland – Troy Beaumont and Henry Ford Hospitals
Kalamazoo- Bronson Methodist Hospital
Project SEARCH Michigan
Business Partners
The Project SEARCH Model
Mental
Business
Health
Student
Intern
Vocational
Rehabilitation
School-Education
The Classroom
© CCHMC 1/3/06
The Project SEARCH Team
Troy Beaumont Hospital
Student Intern
Troy Schools
Michigan
Rehabilitation
Services/Community
Mental Health
Hospital/Business Provides:
Markets the program
Assists with job site development
Assists with selection and events
Reinforces workplace rules
Secures classroom space
© CCHMC 1/3/06
Troy School District
Provides certified teacher
Identifies and selects students
Assists with internship development
Develops curriculum
Educates/trains hospital staff on disabilities
Develops adaptations and accommodations
for students
Assists with promoting Project SEARCH
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
 Assists with student selection
 Assists with job development
 Provides funding support
 Helps students secure employment
 at the end of Project SEARCH
Community Mental Health~ JVS
 Provides job coaches
 Assists students in classroom
 Monitors students at work site
 Develops adaptations and accommodations
 Provides suggestions to hospital staff
© CCHMC 1/3/06
Transportation
Be able to obtain transportation to Troy
Beaumont Hospital
Utilize public transportation when available
Parents, family, friends
Car pools
Prepares them for the real world of
work!
Project SEARCH Overview
A Typical Day
8:00
8:00-9:00
9:15-2:00
2:00-3:00
Arrive at Hospital
Classroom Instruction
Internship at Department
(includes a 30 min. lunch)
Classroom Instruction
(reflection time)
Training and Orientation
First 2-3 weeks of school
Learning hospital policies and
procedures
Learning the hospital floor plan
Employability skills
Interviews with Department Managers
Computer skills
Monthly Meetings
Agenda
Who Attends
Review evaluations
Address strengths and challenges
Intern/Parent
Discuss needed
supports/accommodations
Teacher
Discuss projected goals
MRS Counselor
Classroom lessons progress
Job Coaches/Job Developer
Review employment goals
Supports Coordinator
Job development progress
Department Employees
Goals for Project SEARCH Interns
Socialization Skill
Independent Skills
EMPLOYMENT
Self Management Systems
Where am I
suppose to
be?
What if?
Where do I
put my
stuff?
DATA to
drive
decision
making…
What the circles
mean and why I
need them?
Hidden Curriculum of the Job…
Teaching the job skills
Friends At Work
A Friend
A Role Model
An Encourager
Sense of Belonging
Community Connection
Meet Brian
Internships:
•Nutritional Services
•Patient Reg. B & E
•Physical Therapy
Preparing for INDEPENDENCE
• Save Words for Teaching
• Use Systems to Support (Remind)
OUR JOB IS TO WORK OURSELVES
OUT OF A JOB!
Technology and Self Management
Google Daily
Calendar
Looking ahead,
“what’s coming
up?”
Systems Support
Rules to
reference
Wallet guide
Outside Interests:
START/ BYF
Project SEARCH Application
Understanding and rethinking
ASD characteristics
Educating job coaches and
hospital staff
Theory of Mind
Real life examples – lived out
Strengths and contributions
Accuracy, work ethic, focus
Systems support
Let the data drive decisions write it down – write it down
High expectations
Beaumont standards
Vision - Employment
Employment
Natural supports
Friends at work/coworkers that
understand their roles
Medium of Exchange
Creating opportunities/making
connections
Potential MI Sites
 L Adrian / Tecumseh – 2014-2015 Promedica Health System
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Calhoun Intermediate School District
Montcalm Intermediate School District
Ottawa Intermediate School District
Macomb Intermediate School District
Washtenaw
Additional Resources
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT4cAWOeLSU&f
eature=youtu.be ( start at 25 mins.)
 http://www.worksupport.com/research/viewContent.
cfm/1064
 http://nyc4a.tumblr.com/post/76333603379/projectsearch-autism-curriculum-to-expand
Learn more at…
Project SEARCH
www.projectsearch.us
Varnum Award Video http://youtu.be/rsHi_-4iylk
Michigan
Cathy Schmidt
Cathy.schmidt@oakland.k12.mi.us