Project SEARCH

Project SEARCH-Overlook Medical Center

OverviewProject SEARCH is a one-year, residency style internship program that takes place entirely at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ. It provides students who want to work the chance to explore careers and develop transferable job skills. Throughout the course of an academic year, Project SEARCH students participate in employment related instruction and rotate through 2-3 internships within departments at the hospital. Students spend the summer before the program begins training to use public transportation to get or and from Overlook. Competitive job placement at the host business or at another business in the community is the final goal for all students.

Program Options: Full Time Only

Grades: Students who have completed all of their high school graduation requirements and are entering their last year of high school/entitlement services. Students and families must agree to plan to accept a high school diploma at the completion of the program. Typically age 20. In some cases, ages 18-19.

Student Needs: High school students serviced in UCESC’s Project SEARCH program have a variety of significant disabilities. These disabilities may include, but are not limited to autism spectrum disorders, communication impairments, cognitive impairments, and physical or medical impairments. Students sometimes have multiple disabilities. Most students have been deemed eligible to receive services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities. All students are motivated to develop critical skills for future employment. Students are not interested in pursuing post-secondary education at this time. Students must have basic communication skills and be able to follow basic directions. Students who require a one-to-one classroom aide are not appropriate for this program.    

Staffing: Program Supervisor, Special Education Teacher, Skills Trainers, Department Mentor.

TransportationStudents are responsible for traveling to and from the program using public transportation or with a family member. They cannot take district provided transportation. Intensive travel training during the summer before the program begins is included with tuition.

For more information or to apply to Project SEARCH, please click here

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