Sheppard Pratt Internship Opportunities: Empowering Young Adults Through Project SEARCH
Sheppard Pratt offers valuable internship opportunities for young adults and adults through Project SEARCH, a business-led transition program designed to provide individuals with special needs complete workplace immersion. These internships aim to equip participants with the necessary skills for a successful transition from school to productive adult life. These opportunities are available at various locations, including Anne Arundel Medical Center, The BWI Hilton Hotel, and Northwest Hospital.
Project SEARCH: A Business-Led Transition Program
Project SEARCH provides a unique learning experience, offering internships to young adults at Anne Arundel Medical Center and The BWI Hilton Hotel, alongside opportunities for adults at Northwest Hospital. Participants, referred to as ‘interns’ during their work experiences, gain the skills required to transition from school to a fulfilling adult life.
Interns enrolled in Project SEARCH have the chance to experience various jobs based on their individual interests and strengths. The Project SEARCH team, composed of a special educator, vocational program assistant, job coach, and the staff of the host business, provides comprehensive support and guidance. While the selection committee prioritizes placing interns at their preferred business site, alternative placements may be offered if the site reaches full capacity.
Project SEARCH emphasizes finding the right employment fit, which leads to a greater sense of purpose for interns and increased peace of mind for their families.
The Origins of Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH was developed in 1996 by Nurse J. Erin Riehle, who was then the director of the Emergency Room at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Riehle needed a reliable worker to stock supplies, leading her to collaborate with Jennifer Linnabary, a job developer with the Hamilton County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, and Susie Rutkowski, Great Oaks Career tech manager of disability education. Together, they selected Annie Sublett, who has Down syndrome, to work in the emergency department. Annie later secured full-time employment at Children's Hospital’s 15-room Dental Clinic, where she successfully sterilized and sorted instruments. Since its inception, the program has expanded nationwide.
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A Typical Day in Project SEARCH
The Project SEARCH day is structured with classroom learning at the host business and on-site training. The first hour is dedicated to employability and independent living skills, based on the national Project SEARCH curriculum. Interns then spend the remaining hours in dedicated on-site training, gaining practical experience in their chosen field.
Internship Opportunities at Anne Arundel Medical Center
Anne Arundel Medical Center accepts up to 10 new interns each school year. These interns explore various opportunities within the growing medical field, gaining insight into the daily operations of a medical center. To facilitate communication, students are provided with an iPod (provided by DORS) for daily communication if they do not have a cell phone.
Internship Opportunities at The BWI Hilton Hotel
The BWI Hilton Hotel welcomes up to 12 new interns each school year. These interns learn the inner workings of the hospitality industry, engaging in tasks ranging from kitchen duties to maintenance work and event preparation.
Application and Enrollment Process
All applicants must apply, participate in an interview, and take a skills assessment. The application process, which begins approximately a year and a half before participation, allows the Project SEARCH selection committee to assess the applicant’s interests and skills and determine if they align with the program's objectives.
If a young adult is accepted at Anne Arundel Medical Center or The BWI Hilton Hotel, AACPS students will graduate from their high schools and enroll at The Forbush School at Glyndon (under the umbrella of AACPS). The student will then attend their assigned work site daily instead of school.
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