Project SEARCH Celebrates 20 Years at OhioHealth Mansfield
In a small classroom tucked away at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, students with developmental disabilities are learning skills and behaviors to set them up to succeed in the workforce. Project SEARCH is the only transition to work program for students with disabilities in Richland County. While it’s a hidden gem in the community, the program has been around for a while - its celebrating 20 years at Mansfield Hospital.
“The different part for our program, that makes it unique, is that its business led,” said Katie Getz, Project SEARCH instructor and coordinator. “We are 100% here within OhioHealth, so when our students have their internships, they are surrounded by OhioHealth associates.”
Students have the chance to experience real-world work environments by participating in three different internships throughout the school year. They are individually placed in different jobs so each student can learn independence and grow their confidence in various work environments. This variety gives them the opportunity to discover what they like and what they don’t like in the workplace.
“The modeling that this program offers are matched by no one else that I know of. There are the professional behaviors being modeled, professional interactions with patients and visitors, but they also get to experience three different internships,” Getz said.
After graduating, students have worked in various industries such as environmental services, nutrition, valet, customer service, FedEx, nursing homes, medical sites, schools and restaurants. Several students continue to work at OhioHealth, some even furthering their education to work in phlebotomy.
“Our success rate blows the national success rate for employment out of the water,” Getz said. “We get a whole school year with them, immersing them in the professional behavior they need for the workforce.”
The program teaches one class each school year, taking on 12 to 14 students at a time. Students must be 18 to 22 years old and have received a diploma to participate.
Former student, Dustin Moore, graduated in 2007 from the program and began working at OhioHealth in the cafeteria. Moore said, “I want to thank Project SEARCH for where I’m at today. No one sees me as someone with a disability – they just see me.”
Moore is seen as a great success story from the program, his nickname being ‘ambassador of the hospital’. He encourages other students and pushes them to persevere even when they make mistakes.
Moore, like so many other students, discovered his interests through Project SEARCH and is now flourishing years later. Students with disabilities completing high school in Richland County and the surrounding counties now have the chance to do the same. Apply to Project SEARCH! using this link. Getz and Moore also suggest taking a tour to make sure the program is right for you.
