Project SEARCH is an international, award winning one-year school to work transition program for students with intellectual disabilities. TVDSB is proud to partner with March of Dimes Canada and St. Joseph’s Health Care London to provide this program for secondary students. The goal of the program is to gain the skills to pursue year-round employment, of 20 hours per week or more, at a competitive wage in a work setting that is inclusive of interest to the student. St. Joseph’s Health Care London has organized three dynamic 10-week internships for the students interns at Parkwood Institute in a variety of departments. The student interns involved in Project SEARCH glean real life experiences through this experience.
Our Partnerships
Typical Year Plan
Project SEARCH follows the secondary school schedule. Here is the calendar for the St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Parkwood site.
| Internship Rotations |
| The goal of the three worksite internships is to systematically teach and reinforce competitive, marketable, and transferable skills. The intern applies employability skills during internships as they become part of the workplace culture and learn how to be a successful employee. Daily, interns reflect upon both strengths and next steps to continually develop short-term goals to improve upon employability skills allowing for layers of new skills to be built throughout each internship |
| Employment Planning Meetings |
| The purpose of the Employment Planning Meetings is to keep team members updated on the intern’s progress and to identify ways to support the intern to help reach the goal of competitive employment. The meetings are completed two times each rotation and involve anyone actively involved in helping the intern find employment including the instructor, skills trainer, business liaison, and family members. Throughout the six meetings the student interns are coached to develop the skills to lead their own meetings. |
Why hire a talented Project SEARCH Graduate?
There are many benefits:
- Access to pre-screened applicants
- Reduces time and cost to hire staff
- Lower staff turnover
- On-site support and training as needed to ensure your new employee is effective
- Enhanced public relations as an equal opportunity employer
Business Advisory Committee
To introduce the student interns to businesses in the community and develop employment connections, a Business Advisory Committee is being created. This committee will also provide feedback to the program about the essential employability skills required in the current job market.
Please contact Sandy Jansen, Vice-President, Patient Care & Risk Management if your organization is interested in joining this advisory committee.
Sandy.Jansen@sjhc.london.on.ca
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Contact |
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Janell Hurlbut - j.hurlbut@tvdsb.ca
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