Project Search
Cincinnati, Ohio
Contact
Susie Rutkowski
Director Special Education
Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development
3254 East Kemper Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45241-1581
Phone: 513-612-3668
Fax: 513-771-6575
E-mail: rutkowss@greatoaks.com
Erin Riehle
Co-Director, Project SEARCH
Children's Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45229
Phone: 513-636-8729
Fax: 513-636-2570
E-mail: riehe0@chmcc.org
E-mail: projectsearch@chmcc.org
Mission
Project Search provides services that match employment opportunities with qualified people who have significant disabilities. Through this process this project will educate employers about the potential of this underutilized workforce while meeting their human resource needs.
Organization
Organization Type: Education Agency, School, Rehabilitation Agency, Local, Other - Hospital
Geographical Area: County
Primary Setting: Medical clinic, community-based training site, hospital setting, trade school or proprietary institution
competitive employment worksite, supported employment worksite
Funding: Other: Minimal support from city of Cincinnati and a local grant from County Department of Human Services Majority of funding from collaborating partners and program generated revenue
Consumers
Target Population: Adults with disabilities, youth who have dropped out of school with disabilities, without disabilities-at risk, postsecondary education students with disabilities, without disabilities, secondary education students with disabilities, business people or employer
Disability Areas: All disabilities
NTA Framework Categories
Description
Nationwide, many healthcare positions remain unfilled due to the tight labor market, while the unemployment rate for people with disabilities who desire to work is 67%. Since 30% of the healthcare positions fall into the support category, programs such as Project SEARCH can train individuals with disabilities to fill these positions, thus helping employers fill this void and provide meaningful work for people who want to work.
Project SEARCH began in 1996 as a collaborative effort between education, rehabilitation organizations, and the healthcare community in Cincinnati providing education and employment opportunities in the healthcare field for individuals with disabilities or significant barriers to employment. Through Project SEARCH, participants can develop their work skills as they explore a variety of positions in the hospital setting. Those who successfully complete the program can apply for entry-level hospital positions and become competitively employed in a position that matches their interests and skills. The comprehensive programs of Project SEARCH include:
High School Transition Program
The High School Transition Program, a one-year program for students with disabilities who are in their last year of high school, targets students whose main goal is employment and will benefit from career exploration in the healthcare setting.
Working for credits rather than wages, students in this program spend the school day at Children's Hospital Medical Center (CHMC) and rotate through three to four positions throughout the school year. Worksite rotations allow participants to build communication skills, problem-solving skills, as well as job-related skills. Students work with a certified instructor and job coaches who provide one-on-one supervision and support as they perform their individualized work experiences. This program allows students to take risks in a protective environment in order to build confidence and self-esteem.
In order to be eligible for the program, students must be at least 18 years-old and demonstrate a desire to work. They must also demonstrate social and communication skills, including the ability to follow directions; have independent toileting and feeding skills; and meet dress code requirements. Students must also be able to pass the drug screen and felony check and have the required immunizations. Finally, students must carry additional liability insurance.
Healthcare Skills Training Program
The Healthcare Skills Training Program provides training and job development services for people with significant barriers to employment. The program focuses on creating successful healthcare skill acquisition for individuals transitioning from welfare to work. The program also serves adults with disabilities seeking healthcare employment.
The sequence of activities is as follows: 1) a pre-screening which includes drug testing, a criminal background check, physical exam and immunizations; 2) job shadowing; 3) participating in a healthcare core competency curriculum; 4) customized training in a specific healthcare module; 5) a clinical rotation; 6) certification/demonstration of proficiency; 7) job placement; 8) on-the-job support; and 9) job retention.
Employment Program
Project SEARCH provides an employment program for individuals with a wide variety of skills and barriers to employment. Since its inception, we have increased the employment of individuals with disabilities in healthcare positions. Serving as a single point of entry, Project SEARCH coordinates school and community service agency requests with employment opportunities at CHMC. Project staff identifies current positions available, analyzes the jobs, researches the possibility of job clusters, and coordinates the process of matching available jobs and potential candidates for the positions.
Consultation Services
Through the consultation services component of Project SEARCH, staff provides vocational and career counseling to hospital patients with chronic illnesses, traumatic injuries, rehabilitation issues, and a wide-variety of disabilities. Staff also provides referrals to various rehabilitation programs and generates a plan that addresses patients' vocational, educational, training, and employment goals. These services include: accommodations and adaptations, replication of specific employment and training program components, presentations and tours of current program components, vocational and career counseling with CHMC patients who have chronic illnesses and rehabilitation issues.
Evidence of Success
Products
Project SEARCH • Brochure
Inclusion Network • Children’s Hospital video
Updated 10/31/00