A transition-to-work program serving students with disabilities is placing interns at Memorial Health Systems to gain workplace skills and a chance at paid employment, program staff and students said.

Project SEARCH, described by an instructor from the program, is run in partnership with Springfield SD 186, Memorial Health Systems, SPARK and the Department of Human Services (DHS). The instructor said the program provides classroom instruction at the Memorial Learning Center and three 10-week internships across the hospital campus so students can gain “soft skills, employment skills, transition skills [and] independent living skills.”

An instructor said the program follows the public-school calendar, and staff coordinate required paperwork with DHS so interns are set to begin internships during the school year. “We get them ready, and then they will do 3 10 week internships throughout Memorial's campus,” the instructor said. The instructor added that trainees can be hired “as early as, you know, March” and that SPARK skills trainers provide follow-up supports for 90 days to help newly hired interns adjust on the job.

Students and program staff described hands-on skills training. One student said Project SEARCH taught them to read facial cues and body language to recognize when people are upset and how to communicate: “She taught us how to, like, read facial cues, for first week, like, in body language.” Another student described the program as “crucial for disability kids like me” because some learners need repeated practice to form routines and learn tasks.

The instructor said Project SEARCH placements work 16 hours per week at a prevailing wage and in integrated settings with non-disabled peers, with the goal that participants can access employer benefits, including retirement plans. “We want them out in the community. We want them to get insurance benefits. We want them to get 401(k)s, retirements,” the instructor said, adding that past interns have achieved those outcomes.

SPARK staff described their role in job development: training on specific tasks, building independence, preparing resumes and interview skills toward the end of the program year. A student closed by encouraging peers to take advantage of the experience: “Enjoy yourself being at Project Search. It doesn't matter how different… Just do your best to be a Project SEARCHer to make the most of it there.”

The presentation outlined program structure, training content and follow-up supports; no formal vote or board action was recorded during the session. Program staff said they will continue coordinating paperwork and supports with DHS and SPARK as interns move into rotations and potential hires.