Effingham County’s Project SEARCH program has been honored for its success in placing its graduates in jobs.
Representatives recently attended the International Project SEARCH Conference in Omaha, Neb., where the Effingham program was recognized for obtaining jobs for all the students in its 2012-13 class.
Effingham’s was one of only 20 Project SEARCH programs internationally to receive the award for having 100 percent job placement, according to Denise Dawson, transition specialist for the Effingham County School System.
“We are proud of the students who have successfully completed the Project SEARCH program. The skills they have learned not only helped them achieve competitive employment but have better prepared them for lifelong success,” said Stacy Boyett, the school system’s coordinator of exceptional students.
Effingham County’s Project SEARCH program is sponsored by a partnership among Effingham Health System, the Effingham County School System, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency and Coastal Center for Developmental Services.
Project SEARCH provides internships for people with special needs and trains them in entry-level positions. When the students complete their internships, they have job skills to enter the workforce.
The 2012-13 students made up Effingham’s first Project SEARCH cohort. The program is being offered in the county for the third time this year.
Interested students apply and compete for 10 possible positions. They must be 18, in their final year of high school and working toward a special education diploma in order to apply.
Once accepted into the cohort, the 10 interns progress through three 10-week rotations in job skill development instruction. The students’ internships are with Effingham Health System.
“The team is so proud of the achievements of our Project SEARCH interns,” Dawson said. “They have exceeded our expectations.”
The award at the international conference was the latest recognition for Effingham’s Project SEARCH. Two interns from the 2012-13 class have received individual awards for their accomplishments due to their involvement with the program.
For more information about Project SEARCH, call Dawson at the Effingham College and Career Academy at 754-5610, extension 3036.
