A program that partners three local agencies is giving high school students/graduates with disabilities the experience and confidence they need to be employed gainfully.
Project SEARCH is a national program that started at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1996. It has grown to include programs in all 50 states, as well as other countries. Jefferson City's program is in its third year.
The program's website describes itself as a "unique, business led, one year school-to-work program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations."
In Jefferson City, Lincoln University and Jefferson City High School partner to operate the program, one of four in Missouri. JCHS works with LU to give the high school seniors unpaid internships. They rotate through three sites during their last year of high school, learning skills and developing maturity to help them transition to the job market - ideally to jobs paying above minimum wage.
After they receive their diplomas, local provider Missouri Rehabilitation Group (MORE Group) continues to supervise the students' transitions.
The program graduated seven the first year, five the second and anticipates between six and eight next year. Of the first seven students in the program, five gained employment for more than 90 days - the length of time deemed a success.
Employers who have hired under the program include Scholastic, Missouri's Division of IT Security, Jefferson City Country Club, Hy-Vee, El Espolon, Longhorn Steakhouse, the local Goodwill store and the News Tribune.
Sara Turner is one of three JCHS students in the program this year. She's currently interning at LU's Police Department, where she's helped process parking tickets and made friends with the officers.
Turner's mother said the development she's noticed in her daughter has been "close to a miracle."
We commend the partners involved in making the local Project SEARCH program a success. Hopefully, it will continue to grow and help even more high school students with intellectual or developmental challenges.