Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH teaches competitive work skills in different settings, explores career paths, and includes internships that offer a range of work experiences to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
About Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH is a high school transition program that offers a nine-month internship for young adults with disabilities.
For students in Calhoun County schools, RMC Health is the host site for this national model of employment preparation.
Interns participate in three roles to explore a variety of career paths during their internship, while family, instructors, and local/state agencies work with the student to create a longer-term employment goal.
Work Role Sites Include:
Program Benefits for Students
- Increased job retention rate
- Hands-on working experience
- Built-in consultation and guidance
- Individual point of contact
Program Benefits for Employers
- More diverse employee base
- Valuable tax credit
- Improved employee attendance
- Increased scheduling flexibility
Next Steps
Consumer
If you are an individual interested in workforce evaluation, view our guide on contacting ADRS to begin the referral process.
Referrer
If you are referring a person with disabilities for workforce evaluation, please contact us at (256) 820-9960 or email erica@opportunity-center.com.
Opportunity Center-Easterseals prepares and places people with disabilities into meaningful roles by working with referring agencies and hiring partners.
Additional Services
Summer JETs
Job Exploration Training spends three weeks each summer preparing young adults with disabilities for the workforce.
Who: Rising Junior and Senior High School Students
Duration: 3 Weeks
Goal: Job Exploration and Development
College Tours
College tours allow students time to get answers to important questions. They are allowed access to other college students, financial aid and admissions staff, and faculty members. The students can learn more about class sizes, campus life, and details about applying for admission and scholarships.
Who: High School Students and Young Adults
Duration: 1 Day
Goal: Job Development and Placement
Industry Tours
Industry tours are typically 60–90-minute experiences, including a workplace tour and intentional career conversations with various professionals. Industry Tours offer many benefits to students, including providing career exposure to students and broadening their ideas of what is possible.
Who: High School Students and Young Adults
Duration: 1 Year
Goal: Career Exploration and Development
Internships
Who: High School Students and Young Adults
Duration: 9 Months
Goal: Career Exploration and Development
“This is a very good program at the Opportunity Center, and I recommend anyone that is eligible for services to get help from the OC. My Employment Specialist did all she could to assist me with finding work and was very professional! ”
— Gloria
Common Questions
What does it cost to participate in programs offered by the Opportunity Center-Easterseals to people with disabilities?
A: The Opportunity Center-Easterseals has several programs that provide various services to people with disabilities, none of which cost the individual participant or his/her family anything. Please visit the What We Do tab on the homepage for more details and to submit an inquiry for more information.
How do I get a job at Opportunity Center-Easterseals?
A: Opportunity Center jobs are intended for persons with disabilities who are, due to those disabilities, excluded from jobs in the competitive workplace. Positions are filled based on eligibility, job availability and need. For more information, please call (256) 820-9960, or see our current job openings http://www.phoenixhsv.org/job-openings/
How can you help support?
A: You can support the Opportunity Center-Easterseals services with disabilities through a variety of giving options: donations, corporate sponsors, tribute and memorials, and gift securities.
Since 1956, Opportunity Center-Easterseals has empowered thousands of people with disabilities by preparing and placing them in the local workforce.
Let’s Work Together
Without Opportunity Center and partnerships from agencies and local businesses, it’s difficult for people with disabilities to prepare and find jobs that are a win-win for them and their employers. This is discouraging and causes people to lose hope.
Together, with your partnership, we empower people with disabilities to discover their capabilities and do meaningful work across many fields and duties.
As a consumer or referring agency, you can partner with Opportunity Center to access the job training, opportunity, and support needed for people with disabilities to live empowered lives.
