Project SEARCH Roles

Roles & Responsibilities

All partners have a shared accountability to reach the goal of employment for each Project SEARCH intern!

Project SEARCH Student Intern:

Participates in travel training to the Project SEARCH program
Participates in career exploration and discovers areas of interest
Follows Rules and Regulations at host business including employee code of conduct
Interviews for internships
Attends job orientation and training as scheduled with immediate supervisor
Attends daily classroom instruction and strives for perfect attendance
Callsin if absent or late to teacher and internship manager
Dressesappropriately, wearinguniform if required for internships
Maintains proper hygiene and grooming
Works with mentor, supervisor, teacher and job coach to successfully complete internship
Makes adjustments to each internship and from intern to employee role
Communicates with all team members any work related issues
Learns and practices employability skills
Knows key contact people and uses information to help solve problems when issues arise
Utilizes natural resources and supports
Actively participates in job search towards paid employment
Communicates with family regarding progress in Project SEARCH program
Develops personal leadership skills including leading employment planning meetings

Employee (once intern is hired!):

Adheres to personnel policies
Follows daily/weekly schedule according to job position
Abides by department and job standards
Communicates with manager regarding all work related concerns
Continues to learn new skills and advance in the job and career
Works with the Follow Along support services

Instructor:

Provides leadership to the on-site Project SEARCH program
Recruits new student interns for the program including:
Marketing to local schools and agencies including Information sessions for families, host business, schools and agencies
Customize application to meet local needs
Determines recruitment timeline
Determines selection committee; prepares rubric information
Holds selection process with team
Sends letters to all applicants
Recognizes that student recruitment is an ongoing commitment
Coordinates eligibility for local and state agencies to provide a seamless system of support before, during and at the conclusion of the Project SEARCH program utilizing a person centered approach to meet individual needs (includes Vocational Rehabilitation and other long term supports)
Develops IEP and transition goals for new students and creates “career plan” based on individual preferences and skills
Coordinates and/or provides travel training when public transportation is available
Works with interns and parents to arrange alternate transportation to the Project SEARCH program if public transport is not available
Assesses student skills and gather baseline data
Participates in basic job coach training (Systematic Instruction, Lean and other appropriate training) and continual staff development
Provides basic information about social security benefits, work related expenses and Ticket-to-Work program
Attends host business orientation to insure intern understanding and learning
Plans and provides daily classroom instruction in employability skills
Reports to host business and coaches when late or absent
Models appropriate workplace behavior
Works with business liaison and department managers to develop internship sites, write job descriptions and plan for necessary job modifications
Works with managers and co-workers to educate on disability awareness
Trains students in interview process for internship sites and competitive positions
Communicates with parents on a regular basis
Coordinates employment planning meetings to discuss progress toward the work goal
Visits student interns and give feedback to all team members
Performsjob coach duties when needed(especially at the beginning of internship rotations)
Meets daily with job coaches to discuss intern progress
Meets regularly with business liaison, managers and peer mentors to discuss intern strengths and challenges
Plans and implements Project SEARCH Advisory Committee meetings on a quarterly basis for strategic planning and continuous improvement
Participates in Business Advisory Councils to increase networking and career opportunities (industry focused - made up of community employers)
Works with business to plan Project SEARCH events such as orientation, information nights/Open house and graduation
Works with other team members to provide internal and external marketing for business and community such as “Lunch and Learn” events, newsletter articles, website information, tours, community presentations, etc.
Coordinates internal career development with business liaison and team
Completes necessary evaluations, reports and other documentation
Develops portfolio for each student that documents each work site, skills acquired, evaluations, letters of recommendations, etc.
Works with outside job developer to secure competitive employment in the community
Collects and reports data to Project SEARCH and other partners

Job Coach (through Community Rehabilitation Partner and/or School):

Performs travel training with interns when utilizing public transportation
Participates in basic job coach training (Systematic Instruction, Lean and other appropriate training) and continual staff development
Knows about social security benefits, work related expenses and Ticket-to-Work program
Reports to instructor when late or absent
Works with instructor to assess student skills and gather baseline data
Works with business liaison, department managers, instructor and fellow job coaches to develop internship sites, write job descriptions, task lists, job analysis and plan for necessary modifications for the internships and competitive jobs
Works with managers and co-workers to educate on disability awareness
Reinforces employability skills and assists intern tounderstand and interpret work culture
Assists in training intern in interview process (unique to each host business) in order for internsto gain both internships and competitive positions
Learns the internship duties and make any modifications (label cabinets, simplifies written instructions, etc.) necessary to the successful completion of the job
Attends job orientation with the intern and clarifies information with the intern as necessary
Teaches the essential tasks/duties/core skills of the job to the intern
Each job coach is assigned several students and will provide individual support depending on each intern and job task needs
Because the goal is independence, the job coach builds natural supports and reduces the amount of time spent with each intern as core skills are developed
Teaches safe practices according to the work environment
Models appropriate workplace behavior
Works with manager to determine new skills as intern gains competencies and confidence
Meets with the manager and peer mentor regularly to discuss issues and solve problems
Assesses student progress and give feedback to intern and team members
Completes necessary evaluations, reports and other documentation
Provides new internship ideas to team
Investigates alternative methods of long term support such as Ticket-To-Work or PASS Plans for those interns not eligible for long term support

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Participates on the selection committee for new students
Receives referrals and determines eligibility
Provides input to the team for the interncareer goal
Develops Individual Plan for Employment (IPE)with each intern
Negotiates with Community Rehabilitation Partner (vendor) to develop fee schedule and program design
Authorizes job coaching and job development services for each intern
Assists with job adaptations when appropriate
Participates inemployment planning meetings
Coordinates other supports and services as necessary to reach career goal
Assists in the identification of long-term retention through community provider when appropriate

Business Liaison:

Coordinates classroom training space, furniture and equipment
Supports and participates in the student selection process
Works with instructor and job coach to develop internship sites, job descriptions and job modifications
Facilitates the on-boarding process for instructor and job coach
Arranges for and assists with detailed job orientation and training to the intern
Helps to identify a department mentor at each intern site
Assists with interview process for student interns before their internships
Assists with disability awareness and educational presentationsto the internship departments
Hosts events to promote and market the program within the host business and in the community: student orientation, Information Night, graduation, etc.
Reinforces workplace rules for student interns
Assists with problem solving student issues and other program development issues
Serves on the Project SEARCH Advisory Committee (serve as chair during year 1)
Markets Project SEARCH to the host organization and in the community
Interacts with Project SEARCH staff and student interns on an ongoing basis
Works with departments within the organization such as Public Relations, Communication, Diversity and Human Resources to promote the program, increase the opportunity for employment and interpret protocols.
Assists with the evaluation/feedback instrument for the interns
Initiates Business Advisory Council to increase networking and career opportunities (industry focused - made up of community employers)
Participates in continuous improvement of Project SEARCH
Hosts tours of Project SEARCH
Addresses union issues when appropriate

Department Manager and/or Supervisor:

Volunteers as host internship site
Identifies tasks and core skills for internship; works with team to develop job description for intern
Assigns peer mentor for student intern
Interviews incoming students for internships
Determines job orientation and training for the student
Provides supervision to the intern (possibly shared with peer mentor)
Works with the peer mentor, job coach and instructor to address areas of additional skill development
Communicates with all members of the team
Gives department evaluation and/or exit interview at the conclusion of internship
Advocates for hiring in open positions when appropriate
Writes letters of recommendation for interns when appropriate

Co-Worker / Peer Mentor:

A co-worker who works the in same department as the intern and provides on-the-job support:
Provides welcoming environment for intern
Develops rapport with intern, instructor and job coach
Answers questions
Makes introductions to other co workers
Assists with orientation/mandatory education on safety, etc.
Assists with problem solving
Teaches about work culture
Facilitates natural support
Notifies manager and job coach of any concerns and issues

Serves as the point of contact for instructor and job coach for evaluation and feedback regarding progress and acquisition of core skills
Suggests new skills as student masters essential functions/core skills
Writes letter of recommendation for student intern when appropriate
Advocates for hiring in open positions when appropriate

Administrator (School):

Hires Project SEARCH instructor (and para-professional if appropriate)
Provides overall support for HS Transition Program: discipline with students, field trips, curriculum, supplies, etc.
Assists with intern recruitment and selection
Supports for IEP development and compliance with IDEA 2004
Provides administrative support for: attendance, grades (if applicable), lesson plans, staff development for instructors, etc.
Ensures that Project SEARCH interns have school liability insurance
Participates in the monthly meeting to discuss students’ issues, progress, etc. (when needed)
Develops marketing materials for program
Participates in Advisory Committee
Assists with problem solving and continuous improvement of program
Assists with data collection and reporting

Family Member

Supports of intern working competitively in the community
Supports of intern using public transportation when available; assists with travel training
Assists the intern with perfect attendance and other appropriate employability skills
Participates in employment planning meetings to discuss student issues, progress, etc.
Assists in defining and working toward the Career Plan / Job Goal
Addresses any issues and concerns regarding student progress by working with intern at home
Follows through on eligibility with appropriate community and adult service agencies
Communicates with instructor, job coaches and/or VR Counselor only regarding any concerns – does not communicate directly with any host business personnel
Assists with transportation to program and job if necessary
Collaborates with other team members for overall intern transition process
Promotes intern growth and personal development

Family Liaison(s) (Current or Alumni Family Member)

Makes community presentations regarding Project SEARCH for program awareness and to create employment opportunities
Interviews prospective family members in spring during student interviews and give information about Project SEARCH
Creates annual calendar with other team members and ensure that all families have information
Coordinate Family Information sessions with other team members (from PPP templates)
Work with instructor to ensure that links are made with SSA office for each family for Benefits Analysis, understanding of available programs, group trainings, etc.
Outreach to current and/or prospective families for awareness, resource guidance, training, networking and overall assistance
Establish a list of potential community employers and share with appropriate team members
Represent families on Project SEARCH Advisory Team

Job Developer (often through the Community Rehabilitation Partner)

Attends employment planning meetings to know interns’ strengths, interests and challenges
Explores jobs at external businesses for interns not employed at host site
Works with intern and all team members (Instructor, VR, parent) to locate competitive employment based on individual strengths and skills
Keeps all team members informed of potential jobs
Performs job analysis and job match
Coordinates transportation and/or travel training to job site
Coordinates job coaching with VR
Solves problems as the arise in the workplace
Produces necessary reports and data for VR Counselor and other team members

Follow Along (Long Term Service Provider)

Confirms eligibility for long term support
Identifies alternative resources for those not eligible for support
Provides retention services to employee once hired
Communicates with manager at business and other team members for issues and problem solving
Monitors work performance; document progress and issues
Trains new skills and/or retrain as necessary using systematic instruction
Insures completion of mandatory training and health requirements
Facilitates job changes and career advancement
Facilitatescrisis intervention
Facilitatessocialization and overall integration
Provides training for employees and manager/co-worker
Communicates with families or care providers
Assesses employee satisfaction
Links employee to other support service agencies or supports as necessary
Produces necessary reports and data collection for Project SEARCH team members

The ultimate goal of Project SEARCH is competitive employment for each student intern. To achieve this goal students participate in internship experiences that simulate a real work environment within the host business. This includes interviewing for the internship positions, participation in the initial job orientation and training, shadowing other employees, taking normal breaks, eating lunch with peers, clocking in and out, wearing the correct uniform, working with a supervisor and being evaluated on acquisition of skills, performance, pace and productivity. The role of the instructor is to provide classroom training on these job skills and all other areas of intern and program development. The role of the job coach is to assist the employee in being successful in these tasks with as much independence as possible.In general, workers with disabilities do best when instructions are clear and precise. Detailed training along with written instructions, picture checklists, mentoring and creating work aids will all be factors in a successful experience. The roles of all members of the team are “cogs in the wheel” of a successful placement.