In response to the needs of the community, Lourdes is collaborating with Broome-Tioga BOCES, Catholic Charities, ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation), and OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities) as a Project SEARCH host business site.
The Project SEARCH High School Transition Program is a unique, one year, school-to-work program that takes place entirely at the workplace. This program began in 1996 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Emergency Department. This innovative, business-led model features total workplace immersion, which facilitates a combination of classroom instruction, career exploration and on-the-job training and support.
The goal for each student is competitive employment. Real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills to help youth with significant disabilities make successful transitions from school to a productive life.
Project SEARCH interns spend their days at Lourdes. Each day starts with classes that help to develop their independence as employees. The interns spend ten weeks in clinical rotations in many areas throughout the hospital, including: Materials Management, Sterile Processing, Nursing, Surgical Services, HIMS, Lab, Pharmacy and Food and Nutrition.
The goal is to help the interns find a job that matches their skills so they can become employed at Lourdes or another business in the community.
