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MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT: BUILDING FOUNDATIONS FOR LIFE! t
Project SEARCH Transition Program Partnership
Pictured left to right: Janelle Gilson, Amber Cordell, Kayla Bond, Riley Fischer, Michael Santini, Jacob Beebe, Nick Seib, Quinton Clark, Eric Hartman, Christopher Bureau, Andy Wunch and Nick Pompeani. illcreek
MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
26 Millcreek
Project SEARCH High School Transition Program is a unique, business-led, one year, school-to-work program that takes place entirely at the workplace. On-site internships provide instruction, career exploration, and relevant job skills training.
In January 2016, the Millcreek Township School District partnered with UPMC Hamot, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Erie County Department of Human Services, and St. Michael’ s Harbour. The parties agreed to collaborate to create a High School Project SEARCH Transition program at UPMC HAMOT for students with developmental disabilities. The goal for each student participant is competitive employment. The program provides real-life work experience, combined with training in employability and independent living skills, to help youths with significant disabilities make successful transitions from school to productive adult life. Typically, these are students who are on an Individual Education Program( IEP) and in their last year of high school eligibility.
The Project SEARCH model involves an extensive period of training and career exploration, innovative adaptations, longterm job coaching, and continuous feedback from teachers, job coaches, and employers. At the completion of the training program, students are employed in nontraditional and rewarding jobs. The Project SEARCH High School Transition Program can bring about long-term changes in business culture that have farreaching positive effects about hiring people with disabilities and the range of jobs in which they can be successful. Program Overview Students attend the program for a full school year in the host business / hospital. The business provides access to an on-site classroom that can accommodate up to 12 students. The site is staffed by a special education teacher and job coaches to meet the educational and training needs of the students. The first few weeks of the program are focused on new employee orientation, hands-on skill assessment, and familiarization within the business environment. Students develop a career plan which guides the internship selection process and individualized job search. Employment Skills Curriculum Throughout the school year, the students work on employability and functional skills for approximately one hour of their day. Classroom activities are designed around these focus areas: Team Building, Getting Around your Workplace, Workplace Safety,