As reported by silive.com, eight young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities celebrated the completion of Staten Island University Hospital’s Project SEARCH internship program, a nationally recognized workforce development initiative that equips individuals with the skills, experience and confidence needed for competitive employment.
Implemented at SIUH through a partnership with Northwell Health, AHRC NYC, a major non-profit dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and their families, and The Richard H. Hungerford School, Project SEARCH provides students who have completed their academic requirements with immersive, real world work experience inside the hospital.
Throughout the year, interns rotate through multiple departments, participate in employability classes and receive individualized coaching while developing professional and independent living skills.
According to AHRC NYC, graduates of Project SEARCH have a 75 to 80% chance of obtaining competitive employment within their first year after completing the program.Steve Towler, chief program officer at AHRC NYC, said the program’s longevity reflects the strength of its partnership and its proven success.
“This program creates an entirely different pathway to employment,” Towler said. “It changes futures, and it works because of the commitment of the hospital, educators, families and mentors who believe in these students every step of the way.”
