Employment Partners Sponsor Internships for High School Seniors at Valley View Regional Hospital

ADA, Oklahoma − Ten high school seniors will have an opportunity this fall to develop marketable skills as interns in the Project SEARCH employment program located at Valley View Regional Hospital. The innovative program prepares youth with physical or mental disabilities or health impairments for employment and assists them in finding permanent jobs when they graduate in 2011.

The deadline to submit Project SEARCH applications is July 9.

The interns selected for the program will spend the majority of their days working in the hospital care environment on job rotations, such as in the wound care department, physical therapy, business office, supplies and materials management, food service, and surgical sterilization.

They will work with instructor, Joni Moore from Byng, on senior English, employment, and independent living skills approximately one hour per day in a classroom located at the hospital.

Project SEARCH is a partnership with five local school districts, Valley View Regional Hospital, the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, and the University of Oklahoma National Center for Disability Education and Training.

The participating school districts are the lead education agency, Byng Public Schools, as well as Allen, Latta, Roff and Stonewall. These districts will work together to provide the classroom instruction for Project SEARCH students.

“What initially appeals to our students is the chance to replace classroom time with real world experience,” Department of Rehabilitation Services Transition Coordinator, Kim Osmani said. “But Project Search also gives them a boost in confidence and gives them exposure to a variety of cool types of jobs where they could go to work in Oklahoma – all before they even graduate from high school.”

DRS provides students with job coaches, who teach basic tasks and fade away as the students begin performing them independently. The agency will assist students in obtaining permanent jobs that match their employment goals after they complete Project SEARCH.

The University of Oklahoma National Center for Disability Education and Training provides technical assistance to ensure that the program operates with integrity as outlined in the national Project SEARCH program model.

Interested students and parents are invited to a Project SEARCH open house at Valley View Regional Hospital, from 4-6 p.m., on Wed., June 30. Dinner will be provided at 430 North Monte Vista in classrooms two and three. More information is also available from DRS Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist Brenda Brasher from Ada at 580-310-5300 or bbrasher@okdrs.gov or Project SEARCH Instructor Joni Moore at jonimoore@ou.edu.

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