Project SEARCH

• Follow all policies, guidelines and workplace rules of Penn State Health, assigned worksite, Project SEARCH and Capital Area Intermediate Unit
• Consistent attendance and positive successful performance in both classroom instruction and worksite assignments
• Active participation and engagement in the career development process

Interns are expected to wear a Project SEARCH uniform for the duration of the program, except when assigned to a worksite with a specific dress code.

Uniform consists of:

• Project SEARCH logo polo shirts can be long sleeve or short sleeve. Colors are limited to Navy, Black, Red, Dark Green, Dark Grey and Maroon. 
• Khaki tan pants with a belt
• Closed toe, flat shoes (sneakers are acceptable)

To purchase uniforms please use link below.  Uniforms must be ordered by end of July to be in time for school to start.

                Order Uniform

Worksite specific dress code may include but is not limited to scrubs, smocks, special shoes, etc.  Families will be made aware of these items prior to placement.

*Families are responsible for dress code expenses.*
If this causes a hardship, assistance is available. Please email Kirsti Porter at Kporter@caiu.org

• 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.
• Skills Trainers and department staff collaborate to provide support to students as they gain independence.

 GOAL - students learn marketable and transferable employability skills to gain competitive employment after Project SEARCH.

What is a Worksite Mentor?

• Designated point(s) of contact within Penn State Health worksite rotations
• Designed for an intern to have regular access to a consistent individual within the department for training, questions, worksite needs

What is a Skills Trainer?

• Observes department work
• Identifies core skills/essential functions
• Develops job/task analysis
• Confirms internship tasks with manager
• Teaches core skills to student
• Develops productivity enhancements/ work aids
• Works with peer mentor to provide support
• Evaluates progress
• Layers additional skills
• Evaluates and gives feedback to student

Stipend definition:  A fixed regular sum paid as a salary or allowance.

• $625 for each successful rotation, totaling $1,875; requirements for receipt of payout on next slide
• Each intern has the option to opt-in for a stipend, a determination by each intern must be made in writing prior to the start of the 1st rotation and will carry over for each rotation.  There is no ability to change opt-in status throughout the program year.
• Unsuccessful stipend payout for one rotation does not impact the ability for future payouts

Note– accepting the stipend MAY impact any social security benefits.  Please discuss with your OVR counselor if you have any questions/concerns.

All Students will receive Financial Literacy Training as part of the Project SEARCH curriculum.

• Consistent attendance at progress meetings
• Active participation and engagement in career development process inclusive of, but not limited to:
• Supportive of all suitable available work opportunities
• Approximately 16 hours or more/week (Full-time work is not guaranteed, job placement at Penn State Health is not guaranteed)
• Supportive of employment schedules (we rarely secure Monday-Friday, 9-5 jobs for interns)
• Supportive of assistance with transportation – obtaining, providing, sustaining for both internship and work opportunities
• Assistance with any workplace requirements – background checks, employment paperwork, onboarding appointments, doctor’s appointments, etc.

To ensure appropriate communication and intern development there are 6 progress meetings (including and IEP) throughout the school year.

• Parents, Interns, Instructor, Job Coach, Business Liaison, OVR counselor, MH/ID supports coordinators, and department staff will be in attendance.
• Other representatives from the school districts and CAIU will be invited to attend as required. 
• Meetings will last approximately 1 hour and will be held on the Penn State Health campus in the Project SEARCH classroom or virtually.

The purpose of this application packet is to outline the skill set of the Penn State Health (PSH) Project SEARCH student candidate. This application enables the Selection Committee to properly assess each student candidate’s interests, skills, abilities and background. A parent, student, counselor, teacher or employer may be contacted by the Selection Committee to gather additional information. Our goal is to select students who will be successful in the PSH Project SEARCH program and reach the outcome of competitive employment. 

We will begin accepting applications on November 7, 2022 and the final deadline to submit is Tuesday, February 7, 2023.  

Please submit the completed applications to the email or mailing address below:  

projectsearch@caiu.org

Capital Area Intermediate Unit  

Attn:  Central Referral 

55 Miller Street 

Enola, PA 17025

· Be at least 18 years of age.

· Agree that this will be the last year of school eligibility and have completed all High School credits and graduation requirements or have been determined to graduate based on the completion of IEP goals.

· Must meet eligibility requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation.

· Meet eligibility requirements for the Office of Intellectual Disabilities (preferred but not required).

· Have independent personal hygiene and grooming skills.

· Have independent daily living skills.

· Maintain appropriate behavior and social skills in the workplace.

· Take direction from supervisors and change behavior.

· Be able to communicate effectively.

· Have independent transportation resources.

· Have previous experience in a work environment (including school, volunteer, and paid work).

· Must pass drug screen and background checks.

· Immunizations must be up to date.

· Have the desire and plan to work competitively in the community at the conclusion of the Project SEARCH program.

The PSH Project SEARCH Selection Committee will review the applications and the applicant will be invited to participate in an Assessment and Interview Day. After assessment day, the committee will meet to offer positions to accepted applicants. 

The Selection Committee will include the Penn State Health Medical Center Business Liaison, the PSH Project SEARCH Instructor, PSH Project SEARCH Skills Trainers, and representatives from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and other agency/school representatives. 

Candidate requirements are underlined. Other items are provided for information purposes only.  Months are tentative 

January 2023 Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Counselors will open eligible cases 

February 2023 Completed applications and CAIU referral due by Tuesday, February, 2023. 

March 2023 Assessment & Interview Day  

March 2023   Selection Committee meets  

April 2023 Letters mailed to families and district points of contact by mid-April 

May 2023 Information Night  

Summer 2023 IEP’s written with affiliated school and Project SEARCH team members 

August 2023 PSH Project SEARCH Program Begins and follows affiliated School District Calendar

· Be at least 18 years of age.

· Agree that this will be the last year of school eligibility and have completed all High School credits and graduation requirements or have been determined to graduate based on the completion of IEP goals.

· Must meet eligibility requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation.

· Meet eligibility requirements for the Office of Intellectual Disabilities (preferred but not required).

· Have independent personal hygiene and grooming skills.

· Have independent daily living skills.

· Maintain appropriate behavior and social skills in the workplace.

· Take direction from supervisors and change behavior.

· Be able to communicate effectively.

· Have independent transportation resources.

· Have previous experience in a work environment (including school, volunteer, and paid work).

· Must pass drug screen and background checks.

· Immunizations must be up to date.

· Have the desire and plan to work competitively in the community at the conclusion of the Project SEARCH program.

• Completed Health Record Form signed by a doctor
  Penn State Health Form
• Penn Dot issued photo identification card
• Current immunizations including the Covid 19 Vaccine (required by Penn State Health)
• Completion of Penn State Health Employee Orientation prior to worksite rotations
• Completion of Required Clearances

Clearances are Required.  Must be completed and to Kirsti Porter by August 1st.

FBI Clearance - Please use code: 1KG6S7

Criminal Background Clearance - Do not use volunteer

Child Abuse Clearance - Create Individual Account