The DPS Transition Center Program helps prepare students with disabilities for adult life. At Northeast Early College’s Transition Center, students ages 18-21 learn and practice essential life skills. A handful of these students are taking their learning a step further by participating in the Project SEARCH internship program.
“Project SEARCH is part of the DPS 18-21 Transition Center program. We recruit students from all over the district that apply, try out, and are eventually accepted to our work study program at Saint Joseph Hospital,” Mike Kenneally, a Project SEARCH instructor, said.
Project SEARCH interns begin their day in class, where they learn employability skills. Then, they put their learnings into practice on the floors of Saint Joseph hospital. As interns, they will complete three 10-week rotations in different departments such as nursing, sterile processing, and cardiopulmonary rehab. Each intern’s experience is personalized based on their strengths, interests and goals.
“We take into account each student’s Individual Education Program (IEP) and their postsecondary goals,” Mike said.
The hands-on work that interns do at Saint Joseph Hospital helps prepare them for their futures – as both employees and as community members.
Nevaeh, an intern working in the nursing support department, has already learned a lot.
“Some skills I have learned are communicating better, organization, and independently working. These skills will help me get a job, and also keep it,” Nevaeh shared.
Another intern, Che, works with patients recovering from cardiac failure.
“The skills I’ve learned are communication, teamwork, and time management. These skills will help me get a job and help me be a better athlete,” said Che.
Total immersion in the workplace combined with personalized support equips interns with the skills and experience to obtain competitive employment.
“The ultimate goal of Project SEARCH is that our students will be employed alongside others – with and without disabilities – and receive the same wage that anyone else would earn in that position,” said Mike.
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Mike hopes to get the word out about his interns and the great work they are doing.
“We celebrate our students with disabilities and their employment goals every month, but we like to shine a special light on our students during October,” said Mike.