Project SEARCH

A Cosmetology students practices perms in the program salon at the Springfield-Clark CTC.

Welcome to Project SEARCH at CTC!

Project SEARCH is an dynamic onsite transition-to-work training program specifically designed for 5th year seniors. Project SEARCH is tailored to provide employability skills training, on-the-job experiences, and career exploration opportunities for students with developmental disabilities. The mission of Project SEARCH is to equip young people with significant disabilities with the tools and confidence they need to thrive in competitive integrated employment.

Explore careers and learn new skills

Springfield-Clark CTC's Project SEARCH program is based at Mercy Health-Springfield Regional Medical Center, where students participate in a series of unpaid internships in different areas of the hospital. Students receive some classroom instruction, but spend the majority of their time participating in their internship.

To help each student reach the goal of competitive employment, our curriculum focuses on work skills, primarily:

team building
workplace safety
technology
self-advocacy
preparing for and maintaining employment
financial literacy
health and wellness
etiquette
social appropriateness
resume writing
travel training
and so much more!

While these skills are learned on-site at the hospital, they also transfer to employment across several industries.

The curriculum for CTC's Project SEARCH program is developed by the Project SEARCH organization. Project SEARCH started in Cincinnati, Ohio and today has programs in 48 states and 10 countries. The Project SEARCH organization provides curriculum guidelines, program evaluation, technical assistance, and support to CTC's Project SEARCH program.

Project SEARCH partnerships

CTC's Project SEARCH is a collaboration between:

Approximately 74% of adults with significant disabilities are unemployed. Internationally, on the average, 72% of Project SEARCH grads receive employment within the first year of graduating! CTC's Project SEARCH program has a 94% employment rate!

Project SEARCH Program Information

Internship Opportunities

Dietary Department
- Food Prep
- Dish Room
- Tray Line
- Ambassador
- Front of the House
Environmental Services
- Housekeeping
- Linens
Receiving and Shipping
Bio Med
Central Sterile Processing
Cardiovascular ICU
Acute Rehab Unit
Groundskeeping
Pharmacy
Same Day Surgery
Emergency Department
Maintenance-Safety Inspection
Security
Laboratory
Patient Transport

Project SEARCH Graduate Success

There were 7 graduates in the Class of 2023, bringing the total number of graduating students to 77!

We project that Springfield Regional Medical Center will hire four of our Class of 2023 graduates, with one in registration, two in nutrition services, and one in EVS. The three remaining Class of 2023 graduates are applying for employment in the community.

Of the 77 Project SEARCH graduates, 10 are currently employed at Springfield Regional Medical Center, with five of them serving as mentors to current students.

Our program has currently graduated 77 students with a 94% employment rate.

Project SEARCH Program Eligibility Requirements

Students interested in applying to the Project SEARCH program must:

Be at least 18-21 years of age and still enrolled in high school (5 th year).
Completed 4 years of high school and have credits necessary for graduation.
Agree that Project SEARCH will be the last year of student services and will accept diploma at the end of the Project SEARCH school year.
Must be on an IEP.
Meet eligibility requirements for Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.
Have independent personal hygiene, toileting, and grooming skills.
Have independent daily living skills (chores, dress oneself, safety at home)
Maintain appropriate behavior and social skills at the training site.
Take direction from supervisors and accept feedback to change behavior.
Be able to communicate effectively verbally or otherwise.
Participate in travel training to ensure success in using the bus independently or secure reliable transportation daily.
Preferably, have previous experience in a work environment (including school, volunteer, and/or paid work)
Ability to be left alone in a work environment without direct supervision for short amounts of time.
Have 2-step TB test and background check provided by SRMC in August
Consent to FLU vaccination (provided by SRMC) or medical exemption letter
submitted.
Plan to work competitively in the community at the conclusion of the Project SEARCH program.

For questions on eligibility for Project SEARCH please contact CTC’s Project SEARCH coordinator Jeana Baucant Koon at JeanaBaucant@SCCTC.org or 937-215-9226.

History

Project SEARCH originally began in 1996 at Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital with one nurse and one student with Down Syndrome. It has now blossomed into over 540 sites in 10 different countries and 48 states and continues to grow yearly.

Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center’s Project SEARCH started in November 2011 at Springfield Regional Medical Center with only two interns.

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