06 Mar 2021 Program trains disabled adults for gainful employment
By Judy Riley
“Participating in Project SEARCH helped me grow as a person and made me more employable. For the first time in my life, I am independent.” These words spoken by Bryan Purifoy typify the outcomes for other young adults completing an internship with Project SEARCH. Purpose, independence and opportunity are the goals for participants in Project SEARCH® Arkansas: ACCESS® Initiative. It’s truly an innovative and effective job–training program for young adults with developmental disabilities.
Beginning in Central Arkansas in 2013, the nine–month internship training program assists individuals with preparation required to find and maintain competitive, integrated employment. “At ACCESS, we are always looking for new opportunities to help our clients expand their individual potential. When we discovered the Project SEARCH model, we knew it was a natural extension of the mission we serve at ACCESS,” explained Tammy Simmons, ACCESS executive director and co–founder.
Today, Project SEARCH Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative is a collaborative partnership between ACCESS, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, and seven host businesses throughout the state. ACCESS, a local nonprofit in Little Rock, offers evaluations, therapy, education, and vocational training for individuals with special needs. They also provide technical and instructional support for the program, along with follow–along services for interns after graduation. ARS serves as the funding partner and government liaison. Business hosts offer onsite training locations and provide various internship opportunities. Central Arkansas business hosts include University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and CHI St. Vincent in Hot Springs.
“Project SEARCH has been extraordinarily successful in training and supporting ARS clients,” said Joe Baxter, commissioner of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, “Those who complete the nine–month training exceed all expectations, including expectations of themselves, their families and that of their communities. To date, Project SEARCH Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative’s sites are among a few across 49 states and nine countries who have graduates that serve as mentors for current interns, and the only known state with a graduate that has achieved the title of manager.”
What sets this program apart from others is the success rate; 80% of more than 250 graduates find employment in a competitive work environment upon completion. “Our goal is ultimately for our interns to obtain and maintain sustainable employment within their community,” said Simmons. “Our success rate is high because of the training participants receive and the support of our partners.” The curriculum is based on directives from Project SEARCH International, housed in Cincinnati Ohio, but adapted specifically to fit the needs of our Arkansas partners.”
“Mentoring on the job is one of the keys to our success,” said Jenny Adams, director of Project SEARCH Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative, “We have instructor coordinators and skills trainers who not only train during the internship but follow along with the individual’s employment for the first year. The variety of internship opportunities is appealing to participants. They are able to learn a wide range of transferable skills that can transition between career types and industries.”
When asked why she got into this field, Adams said, “There’s something really special about this work. It’s much more than just helping people; we help to change lives. The best part is that we help them simply by giving them the tools they need to help themselves. Seeing them grow motivates me every day!”
Throughout the training period, the staff digs deep into determining the best match of the skill set of participants with the needs of the employer. According to graduate and six–year employee of UAMS, Andrew Aston, “It’s made me a better person in the work environment, gave me so much confidence. I was having difficulty keeping jobs, but Project SEARCH taught me how to fill out resumes, how to find and keep jobs. It helped me understand everything all along the way. And now I have a job I love, and I’m a mentor for other interns! I would recommend it to anyone.”
The benefits of this program to the individuals, their families, the business partners and the economy of the state are legion. When asked about the greatest impact of interns who were trained at UAMS, Chancellor Cam Patterson said, “Project SEARCH interns afford our employees the opportunity to grow beyond the scope of their daily jobs. Just as the interns are learning from our employees, our employees are learning from them. It feels good to us to mentor and invest in the future of individuals. This training gives participants confidence and comfort as they enter the world of work. They handle it well, instantly becoming a critical part of our team and that speaks volumes about their training.”
Because of the follow–through by SEARCH job coaches, graduates sustain jobs. Bryan Purifoy completed his internship in 2014 and was immediately employed by Arkansas Children’s Hospital. “For the first time, I no longer qualify for government assistance of any kind – no food stamps and no SSI,” he said. “My big success was being able to pay for a cruise to Mexico with paychecks from my job at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. It’s so amazing to be independent!”
Simmons added, “All of our young adults have different skill sets and abilities, and they compete for jobs anyone can apply for, Our program offers employment opportunities from entry level to very complex, including positions such as receiving room coordinator; equipment manager; patient transport; mailroom clerk; administrative specialist; dietary aide; and, patient care technician. Because of their successful employment, the lives of our graduates will forever be changed.”
Who is a fit for Project SEARCH Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative? According to Adams, “Our program is open to individuals between the ages of 18–35 who have a diagnosed disability. They should have a high school diploma, GED, or certificate of completion. Applicants must possess a desire to work, a willingness to improve their social, communication and employability skills, as well as exhibit a cooperative spirit toward our staff and their co–workers. They must have access to transportation to and from the training site, be nicotine–free prior to and during training, and must have an open case with ARS.”
For the fortunate young people who participate in this training, Project SEARCH answers the call, the call to identify and use skills they had no idea they possessed, the call to become part of a work family that values their contribution, and the call to gain their independence. In the words of a former state legislator and current Project SEARCH state coordinator, “this training is the REAL first chance for people with disabilities to attain full citizenship.” In short, it’s a win on every front: the young adults who learn, grow, and become gainfully employed; the families who wish for independence for their child; the hiring institutions that learn to appreciate their skills; and the state of Arkansas.
More information is available at https://projectsearcharkansas.org/ or by calling 501-529-3139.
