Project SEARCH, the school-to-work transition program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is expanding to include Atlantic Health System’s Hackettstown Medical Center, beginning in September. 

Select students will be able to participate in a one-year, tuition-based internship program that includes daily classroom instruction focused on employability skills and internship rotations at the medical center. The internships are available to Sussex, Warren, Morris, and Hunterdon County high school students with intellectual or development disabilities who have satisfied the credit requirements for graduation, certification, or completion. 

Participants must be able to get to and from Hackettstown Medical Center independently. Applications are available online at www.sussexesc.org.

“This creates more opportunities for high school seniors and recent graduates to explore careers and develop transferable job skills in a professional environment,” said John O’Hara, Supervisor of Project SEARCH for the Sussex County Educational Services Commission. “Working with Atlantic Health System’s Newton Medical Center, we’ve already been able to help more than 30 participants achieve employment.”

Developed at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996, Project SEARCH is available at more than 500 locations nationwide. Locally, Project SEARCH is a collaboration between Atlantic Health System, the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Sussex County Educational Services Commission, the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities, and Abilities of Northwest Jersey Inc.

“Participants will be at the hospital every day for six hours. They’ll receive constant, on-site training from hospital staff, a special education teacher, and job coaches,” said Norm Harnois, Employment Specialist for Abilities. “Each participant will be given support with accommodations and adaptations according to their individual needs.” 

The Project SEARCH model involves an extensive period of training and career exploration, innovative adaptations, long-term job coaching, and continuous feedback from teachers, job coaches, and employers. At the completion of the training program, students with significant intellectual disabilities are often employed in nontraditional, complex, and rewarding jobs.

“Thanks to the seamless collaboration of these organizations, we’ve had tremendous success helping participants gain marketable employment skills and earn community jobs through the program at Newton Media Center,” said Bob Adams, President, Hackettstown and Newton Medical Centers. “Even more important is that they are able to gain increased independence, confidence, and self-esteem.”

For more information about Project SEARCH, contact O’Hara at johara@sussexesc.org or 973-579-6980.

About Project SEARCH 
Project SEARCH is a one-year, business-led, unpaid internship program for students with disabilities in their last year of high school that takes place entirely at a host business site. It provides students who want to work a chance to explore careers and develop transferable job skills. The combination of instruction and immersion in the workplace prepares young adults with disabilities to make successful transitions from school to productive adult life.

About Sussex County Educational Services Commission
The Sussex County Educational Services Commission is a public agency that seeks to create partnerships with public and nonpublic schools and local communities.  The Sussex County ESC develops and provides meaningful programs for young people with unique challenges and their families.  Our goals are designed to shape our students into productive independent adults.  Sussex County ESC provides opportunities for the professionals in our communities to stay current with their educational practices while supporting districts with both cost effective programs and a wide array of services. 

About Atlantic Health System 
Atlantic Health System is a not-for-profit health system, providing care for more than half of the state of New Jersey (12 counties and 6.2 million people) along with parts of Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. Powered by a workforce of more than 19,000 team members and 4,800 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, the system offers more than 400 sites of care, including seven award-winning hospitals, 23 urgent care centers and the Atlantic Visiting Nurse service. Atlantic Medical Group, comprised of 1,600 physicians and advanced practice providers, represents one of the largest multi-specialty practices in NJ and Atlantic Health is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.

About Abilities of Northwest Jersey, Inc.
Abilities of Northwest Jersey is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the employability and quality of life for people with different abilities by providing training and individualized services. Incorporated in 1974, Abilities works diligently to create an inclusive community where individuals with different abilities are given the opportunity to reach their fullest potential in life. Visit our website at https://www.abilitiesnw.org/, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/abilitiesnw/.