Project SEARCH National Website
In October of 2006 the Brevard Workforce Development Board Inc. received a $175,000 grant from Workforce Florida, Inc. to implement Florida’s first Project SEARCH program. Additional Brevard partners include: Brevard Business Leadership Network, Brevard Public Schools, Health First, Mercedes Homes Inc. and Brevard Achievement Center.
Project SEARCH is a nationally recognized program established by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in 1997. It provides a comprehensive approach to employment, job retention, and career advancement for students and adults with disabilities. The program consists of these two highly effective programs:
Adult Employment Program
Comprehensive employment, job retention, and career advancement services for adults with disabilities. Serving as a single point of entry, the Adult Employment Program coordinates job development and agency referrals with human resource needs. Our goal is to match qualified employees with open positions, primarily in healthcare. We will provide on-the-job support, such as job coaching, adaptations and accommodations, final task definitions, and travel training. Our on-site job retention staff creates a unique support system where people with disabilities can successfully maintain employment and advance in their chosen careers.
High School Transition Program
A one-year, worksite-based school-to-work program for students with developmental and /or physical disabilities during their last year of high school eligibility. The class of 12 is staffed by one teacher and three job coaches.
The cornerstone of the one school-year program is total immersion in a large business or organization. The students learn employability and job skills while participating in a variety of worksite rotations that build skills toward competitive employment. Individualized job development and placement occurs based on the student’s experiences, strengths, and skills. Students are given support with accommodations, adaptations and on-the-job coaching.
The first Project SEARCH high school transition classroom started February 5th 2007 at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne. The second class is scheduled to start in June 2007 at Mercedes Homes Corporate office in Suntree.
For more information please contact:
Maria Trieste
Project SEARCH Coordinator / HealthFirst
321-434-7578
Brevard Project SEARCH Partners
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