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Highlands County Project Search gives students with disabilities hands-on hospital work experience
Summary
Highlands County School District highlighted Project Search, a transition-to-work program based at AdventHealth Sebring that places 18–21-year-old interns with disabilities into three on-site internships and classroom instruction; presenters said several interns from the first cohort obtained paid jobs.
Project Search, a transition-to-work program for students with disabilities, was presented to the Highlands County School Board, with district staff and partner organizations describing hands-on internships at AdventHealth Sebring and local supports that help participants move into competitive employment.
The district’s ESE director, Pam Lanier, told the board Project Search immerses participants in health-care work environments and pairs a full-time special-education instructor with job skills trainers. Lanier said the local program has operated for two years and that a classroom is set up on the AdventHealth campus.
Coach Buddy Hunter, who runs the local classroom and internships, described daily routines: classroom lessons each morning followed by five hours at internship sites such as the hospital’s registration, cardiac rehab, environmental services, kitchen and warehouse. Hunter said interns complete three separate internships during the year, receive multiple assessments and present progress to families six times per year. “We spend about anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes just going over yesterday, what went right, what went wrong,” Hunter said.
Lanier and Hunter said the program partners include AdventHealth Sebring, Ridge Area ARC, Project 10 and Vocational Rehabilitation. Program eligibility, as stated during the presentation, requires interns to be 18 to 21 years old (not turning 22 during the program year), to have deferred receiving their diploma after completing high-school requirements, to possess an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) with a competitive-employment goal, and to be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation supported employment.
Lanier and family members who appeared in a program video emphasized gains in confidence, independence and workplace skills. Hunter said five of eight interns from the inaugural cohort are currently working, and he urged board members and the public to visit the hospital and tour internship placements.
Board members praised the program and its partners, with several members noting the visible impact on families and interns’ self-confidence. The board did not take formal action on the presentation; it served as an informational highlight under “Highlands highlights.”
Project Search will continue as a partnership among the district, AdventHealth Sebring and local agencies; presenters asked for continued community and employer engagement to expand internship placements.
