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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 ,