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Paradise Valley board approves MOU with Mayo Clinic to continue Project SEARCH internships for students with developmental disabilities
Summary
The governing board approved Resolution No. 591, a memorandum of understanding with Mayo Clinic to continue Project SEARCH internships that train young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for employment. The MOU was recommended by district staff and was approved with one abstention from a trustee who disclosed a connection to a
The Paradise Valley Unified School District governing board approved Resolution No. 591, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between PV Schools and Mayo Clinic to continue the Project SEARCH transition-to-work program for school years 2025'26, 2026'27 and 2027'28.
District staff described Project SEARCH as a workplace-immersion program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities that places students in rotating internships across Mayo Clinic departments. "For the past 5 years, PV Schools has partnered with Mayo Clinic to provide young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to learn, train, and work in a world class medical setting," Miss Copen told the board, and she added, "Last year, 100 percent of our students who were in the program gained employment at Mayo Clinic."
Board members praised the program during discussion, calling it a "phenomenal" partnership and urging community members to tour the site. Trustee Lim disclosed a familiarity with Mayo Clinic and the program and said he would abstain from the vote because of personal connections; the board recorded his abstention. The motion otherwise carried, with the board voting 4 for approval, 0 opposed, and 1 abstention.
The MOU was reviewed by district legal counsel and will continue the Project SEARCH placements and associated supports across the three school years listed in the agreement. Presenters said the program has demonstrable placement outcomes and provides work training that leads to competitive employment for participating students.
