EASLEY — Baptist Easley Hospital, in conjunction with the School District of Pickens County, S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation and Pickens County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs, partnered with Project SEARCH to help educate students with intellectual and development disabilities.
The innovative partnership began August 2016, and the first class just graduated after completing a year-long series of internships at Baptist Easley that developed their skills for future job placement.
Project SEARCH, based at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, is a business-led, work-preparation program for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Most participants are enrolled while transitioning from high school to work. The hallmark of Project SEARCH is total workplace immersion, which facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration and hands-on training.
Project SEARCH’s primary objective is to secure competitive employment for every program participant.
The School District of Pickens County paid the initial license fee to become a Project SEARCH site and Baptist Easley became the host business. The teacher and teaching assistant for this program are employed with the school district. S.C. Vocational Rehab provided an on-site job coach to work with the interns, while the PCBDSN provided a counselor as needed.
The main difference for this debut class of seven students was that their classroom was housed at the hospital rather than at the school and they were taught social, interpersonal skills, managing money, computer skills, writing resumes and business communication skills as well as on the job training.
The interns worked through several job rotations during the year in such areas as environmental services, dining services, medical/surgical units, emergency department, supply chain management, finance and in physician practices.
“This was a fantastic learning opportunity for the students,” said teacher George McLeer. “Students with disabilities can do the work, but they sometimes struggle with social and interpersonal skills, which was one of the focuses during the classroom time.”
The first year concluded with a graduation ceremony held on May 19.
“It has been exciting to watch the transformation of the interns during this year, but none of us knew the transformation and impact this class would have on all of us. We are so proud of these students,” said Michelle Scherer, Baptist Easley’s chief business experience officer.
“Project SEARCH has been one of the most rewarding undertakings that I have done in my career. The partnership with Baptist Easley has been a beautiful experience …. As a result, these students are on their way to a more full life,” said Cathy Ashton, director of special services for school district.
“It has truly been my pleasure working with the Project SEARCH students through the year,” said Satesha Kirkland, with Pickens County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs. “From meeting them at parent nights, attending their student lead IEP’s and graduation day, they have all grown so much, their confidence in themselves and abilities have improved tremendously! It has been a joy. I can’t wait to work with the new interns this following school year.”
Project SEARCH’s goal is for each site work to achieve a 70 percent hire rate of their interns. Baptist Easley had a 100 percent hire rate.
Three of the interns will be working at Baptist Easley, two in Environmental Services (Tyler Brown-Benjamin and Jaysa Durrell) and one at Easley Family Practice (Stephanie Riddle). Damian Guin was hired by Unidine, a contract service that provides food services at the hospital.
Lindsey Masters is working at ANMED Health Cannon, Justin McCall is currently working at Advance Pierre Foods and Adam Greer at Arby’s in Pickens.
Riddle, who works at Easley Family Practice, loved the experience.
“This program has given me more confidence and helped me with my communication skills,” she said. She is now paying her own cell phone bill and saving money for a car.
“We are thankful for the partners School District of Pickens County, South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation and Pickens County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs, as well as the other programs in the state, that worked hard to help Baptist Easley launch the program,” said Scherer. “We are excited that SC now has six Project SEARCH programs across the state and look forward to helping others begin this program as well.”
For more information about this program, visit www.projectsearch.us