Project SEARCH recognized by Lt. Governor
All 27 Project SEARCH Wisconsin business sites were invited to the Governor’s Executive Residence to be recognized for their support of the Project SEARCH program. Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes addressed the group and thanked everyone involved with Project SEARCH for their efforts across the state.
ODC is honored to have five Project SEARCH sites: Marshfield Medical Center, Aspirus Riverview Hospital, Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Sentry Insurance, and Howard Young Medical Center Minocqua. Representatives from four of ODC’s Project SEARCH host sites were able to attend along with Ann Lepak, Director of Employment Services at ODC.
Project SEARCH is a partnership between ODC, local school districts, the host business and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Project SEARCH interns spend their last year of high school at the host business location, studying curriculum that focuses on work readiness and rotating through three different internships within the workplace setting. The program is designed to ready interns for the world of work before they graduate.
Over the last decade, more than 900 individuals with disabilities in Wisconsin have received valuable training and life skills thanks to Project SEARCH, an international program that was developed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMSC). CCHMC provides technical assistance and overall leadership to Project SEARCH worldwide.
Many thanks to all of ODC’s Project SEARCH host sites for partnering with us in this important program. It is an amazing opportunity for young people to get the training and work experience they need to be successful in work and life.