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Project SEARCH

 

 

 

What is Project Search? 

Project SEARCH is a business led collaboration between Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, Clinton Public School District, and the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services that enables young adults with disabilities to gain and maintain employment through training and career exploration. It is an unpaid internship. The goal for each program participant is competitive employment. To achieve that goal, the program provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent-living skills to help young people with significant disabilities make successful transitions to productive adult life. As a result, at the completion of the training program, students with significant intellectual disabilities are employed in nontraditional, complex, and rewarding jobs.

https://www.projectsearch.us/TRANSITION-TO-WORK/  

What Does a Good Project SEARCH Candidate Look Like?

  • MUST HAVE A STRONG DESIRE TO WORK  
  • Should be finished with their high school credit requiements for graduation, certification, or completion so that they will be able to focus their entire day on gaining competitive and marketable work skills. Agree to exit high school after successful completion of the program
  • Must be between 18-21 years old and eligible for Special Education Services.
  • Must be eligible for Special Education Services.  
  • Must be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation through MS Department of Rehabilitation Services (CHS will assist)
  • Must have good attendance and behavior record
  • Should have caregiver/family support to participate in planning meetings
  • Should have a positive attitude
  • Basic and effective communication skills (verbal or supported by technology)
  • Basic reading and writing skills
  • Ability to manage their own self-care (to include appropriate social, grooming and hygiene skills
  • Able to pass drug screening and background check
  • Must have updated immunizations (including the flu and COVID-19 VACCINES)
  • Must complete TB testing
  • Must be prepared to make arrangements for transportation for employment upon completion of the program
  • Maintain appropriate behavior in the workplace (absent of excessive behavioral reports). Have the ability to take directions and change behavior when needed
  • Ability to self-manage health needs while at the program
  • Ability to tolerate long walking/standing
  • Must have the ability to understand safety
  • Should have the ability to understand CONFIDENTIALITY. (Should have the ability to respect the privacy of others to include not listening to other people's conversations either on the phone or in person, not trying to look at other people's computer screens while at work.                                           

Things to Know about Project SEARCH at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center

  • 2023-2024 will be the 4th year for Mississippi Baptist Medical Center to be the host site for Project SEARCH through CHS.
  • There are 3 staff which include the Project SEARCH Instructor and 2 Job Skills Trainers.
  • The interns follow the CHS Student Calendar for school days/holidays.
  • Transportatiion is provided. The interns are bussed to Mississippi Baptist Medical Center by CHS and arrive around 7:30 a.m. They participate in one hour of instruction on employability skills in a classroom located outside of the main hospital.
  • Interns participate in work-based learning in the form of unpaid internships for up to 4 hours per day
  • They are trained for 3 ten-week rotations in departments around Mississippi Baptist Medical Center.
  • Departments that have previously accepted interns are Baptist Cafeteria, Chick Fil A, Kitchen, Environmental Services, HealthPlex, Medical Records, PT/OT, Radiology, Sterile Processing, Transportation, and X-Ray
  • Applications are due in January
  • Interviews and skills assessments are conducted in early March
  • Award and denial letters are sent out in April

 

COURSE OF STUDY
Unit 1:  Team Building
Unit 2:  Workplace Safety
Unit 3:  Technology
Unit 4:  Self-Advocacy
Unit 5:  Maintaining Employment
Unit 6:  Financial Literacy
Unit 7:  Health and Wellness
Unit 8:  Preparing for Employment
Unit 9:  Social and Communication

Important Dates 

Project Search Informational Meeting for Students, Parents, and Teachers.      

December 5, 2023

Deadline to submit application for Project Search 2023-2024

February 9, 2024

Skills assessments and interviews for Project Search 2023-2024

March 25, 2024

Acceptance and Denial Letter sent for Project Search 2023-2024

April 

Annual IEP Meeting Project Search and Goals on IEP

May 

 

ProjectSEARCH Facebook

 

PROJECT SEARCH CLASS OF 2022-2023

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