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A new program in Butler County is now available to help students with disabilities get rewarding, meaningful jobs with local businesses. Project SEARCH, a program brought about by a partnership between education, social service agencies, and the private sector promises to shatter previous misconceptions about employment opportunities for those with disabilities. The focus of the program is to aid students with disabilities in making the transition from school to the world of work. Previous transition programs have placed students with disabilities in very menial jobs. However, Project SEARCH purposely seeks out jobs that are complex in nature, but which can be broken down into a series of small, structured tasks. The result is that the jobs are much more rewarding for the students, and employers get very capable, conscientious employees. There are currently 12 students from four Butler County schools enrolled in the one year long program. In addition to classroom work in employability and job related skills, Project SEARCH students move through a series of three, 12 week rotations in various jobs at Middletown Regional Hospital. These rotations include duties such as sterilizing surgical equipment, stocking equipment in the emergency room, and scanning lab reports into the hospital’s computer system. Modeled on a proven program originated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Project SEARCH was initiated in Butler County by a partnership between Butler Tech, Middletown Regional Hospital, Abilities First, Butler County Board of MRDD, and the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission. This innovative partnership has been the key to starting Project SEARCH. |
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