Project SEARCH provides a business-led program where students with a wide range of developmental disabilities can learn relevant, marketable skills through innovative workforce and career development in an integrated setting. With the goal of competitive employment, each student receives classroom instruction and hands on experience through strategically-designed internships in up to three departments at PennState Health. Employment searches are done throughout the program year to find suitable jobs within the interns' community.
Open House
Worksite
Rotations
Through work rotations of internships, students will build communication, problem-solving, and job-specific skills through rotations. Students will experience at least two different worksite assignments based on their previous work experience, interests, and assessments in order to learn marketable and transferable employability skills so they are able to gain competitive employment after Project SEARCH. Skills trainers and department staff collaborate to provide support to students as the gain independence.
Mentor & Skills Trainer
What is a Worksite Mentor?
A Worksite Mentor is a designated point of contact within PennState Health worksite rotations. This is designed for an intern to have regular access to a consistent individual within the department for training, questions, and worksite needs.
What is a Skills Trainer?
A Skills Trainer observes department work, identifies core skills/essential functions, develops job/task analysis and confirms tasks with managers, teaches students core skills, develops productivity enhancements and work aids, works with peer mentors to provide support, evaluates students' progress, and gives feedback to students.
Program Details
Contact
projectsearch@caiu.org
717.531.0003, Ext. 289893
Kirsti Porter
Instructor
Kporter@caiu.org
Christian Wright
Skills Trainer
chwright@caiu.org
Additional Contacts
Tim Dorsey
Program Supervisor tdorsey@caiu.org
Melissa Milano
Business Liaison
mmilano@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Rosanny Reyes
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
roreyes@pa.gov
Application Form
Apply today to participate in Project SEARCH! The application for the 2024-2025 school year is now open.
Partners
Resources
Learn more about Project SEARCH in the Program Profile.