12/8/2022 Topic: Transition Week Ideas Holly Opatick	Hi Lisa I attached the Orientation and Transition Week Activities document from the toolkit. Hope that provides some new ideas!
12/19/2022 Topic: Promotional Vertical Banner Holly Opatick	Hello In the past, I have ordered the tabletop banners from 4Imprint and Crestline. I was pleased with both companies' productions. Unfortunately, I could not locate a photo to provide an example. One thing to consider with the design is the use of photos. Most photo releases last for 5 years or less, if you want to use the banner for longer than 5 years there are a couple of things to think about. As for the logo, ALL logo options are in the member portal toolkit Toolkit/ Essential Documents/ Event Planning And Marketing/ Logos
1/9/2023 Topic: Consolidated files Holly Opatick	Hello All Thank you for your feedback! You are not alone! We at Project SEARCH National have been discussing this issue and some others as it relates to the curriculum and next steps. We all love the way the new Pre-Transition Curriculum can be downloaded in a unit. However, before we make changes to the availability, the lesson plans need some massaging. On the next meeting with the Curriculum team, we are going to have this discussion: What can be streamlined What can be removed ( What needs to be moved (glossary needs to be at the beginning of the lesson plan) Etc. Stay tuned!
2/16/2023 Topic: Intern moves after completing program Holly Opatick	Hi folks! Great questions. If you have knowledge of graduates' employment or next steps, please input that information in the database regardless of whether they move, etc. Whether your partner orgnization made the placement also does not matter for the data collection. Thanks!
3/15/2023 Topic: PS Internship Evaluation Holly Opatick	RG. I. InternshipEvaluation. V_12.18.20.xlsx Hi Sarah Above is the link to the intern evaluation in the member portal. For future reference, you can find it in the toolkits essential documents/Internships folder.
3/15/2023 Topic: Master List of Departments & Tasks? Holly Opatick	Yes, Beth is correct. The Project SEARCH Member Toolkit has a list of many internships by industry sectors. Toolkit/Essential Documents/Internships/Internships by industry sectors Internship Examples by Industry Sector
3/15/2023 Topic: Paid Internships Holly Opatick	Hello Jessica Yes, Project SEARCH supports stipends and there are programs that provide them under conditions to the interns. Receiving a stipend is very different than being paid. Project SEARCH does not prefer interns being paid for the following reasons: Being paid implies that interns are immediately meeting quality and productivity standards, which they are rarely meeting. Being paid reinforces employer stereotypes about paying people with disabilities even though they are not completing a whole job, so that after the program is over they don’t want to hire them in competitive jobs. Being paid also teaches people with disabilities that no matter what they do they get paid – reinforcing the mascot image.
3/15/2023 Topic: Intern resumes and portfolios Holly Opatick	Hello Yes, the interns finished resume should look like any other resume provided to an employer. There are sample resumes in the Employability Skills Curriculum in the Toolkit Staff would support the intern in creating the resume, and then in using the resume as a tool during an interview. If that is a concern, consider creating a video resume that contains a QR ode that links to a video of the intern performing tasks throughout their internships. A quick google search will result in tutorials on QR codes and video resumes.
3/27/2023 Topic: PS Internship Evaluation Holly Opatick	Hi Andrea We suggest that the internship evaluation be used by the skills trainers. If you would like direct feedback from the department managers, we suggest using a modified version of an employee evaluation so that the interns are assessed by manager using their own form. This method also allows for the managers/mentors to think of the interns as candidates for open positions and not volunteer workers.
4/6/2023 Topic: Skills Day Ideas Holly Opatick	Hello folks! the following is an excerpt from the Project SEARCH Intern Selection Process and Timeline located in the Member Portal Toolkit There are a variety of documents related to intern selection in the Intern Recruitment and Selection folder Skills Assessment and Interview Day (Suggested Timeframe: Before Spring Break if possible) · Skills Assessment Day typically takes 2 – 2.5 hours and can accommodate approximately 20 applicants. · Set up a large room with skills stations that represent basic tasks taught in the internships. · A skills station is a table with several chairs at which each individual applicant will perform one or more tasks. · The skills stations will vary depending on the host business and should be planned of time by talking with some of the department managers, the business liaison, and Project SEARCH staff. · Ideally the skills stations should mirror core skills to be taught in the potential internships · The skills can be basic and utilize materials that can be easily transported to the skills station room. · Most skills stations involve 10 – 15 minutes of tasks. · Each skills station should be staffed by at least one member of the either the steering committee or host business. It would be ideal to have two staff at each skills station. One to demonstrate and teach the skills and another to take notes and score the applicant. In addition, you will need two additional staff to act as greeters and floaters. The floater usually keeps time and ensures that the interns are moving through the stations as assigned. · The internship managers sometimes run their own station with one other member from the Steering Committee. · Present an introductory activity or greeting game to put everyone at ease and give the selection committee and applicants an opportunity to meet each other. · Have interns work at each skills station with observation by members of the selection team. · The Steering Committee member can assist the interns at each of the stations and make notes and observations about the intern’s success and challenges with the skills. · The applicants rotate through the stations; the applicants may be staggered and/or have some waiting time to allow for everyone to complete all skills stations. · The following are possible skills stations to be assessed and observed: · Filing alphabetically and/or numerically · Customer service – teach and role play the 10-5 Rule · Customer service – greeting and taking a message by phone or in person · Creating a business email and creating a mailing label · Entering data in a simple spread sheet from handwritten or other material · Assembling a simple surgical tray with approximately 10 instruments · Counting out prescribed number of items, checking for expiration dates, putting them in size or number order, and bagging/packaging the items · Towels and/or linens – check for tears and stains, fold according to directions · Stocking items to a par number · Maneuvering a wheelchair with a person in it · Rolling silverware · Stripping, sanitizing, and remaking a hospital bed · Wiping a table and setting out condiments according to a picture · Food Prep such as making a sandwich according to direction There are more examples in the Skills Assessment Day Skills Stations document.
4/12/2023 Topic: trial or probation period Holly Opatick	Hi Paul The following statement appears on some Project SEARCH Applications I, ________________________________________, understand that if I am accepted into Project SEARCH I will be subject to a 45 day trial period. Subsequently, my enrollment in the program may not meet my needs or the goals of the program and I may be required to leave Project SEARCH. My parents/guardians and I agree to this review.
4/12/2023 Topic: Intern Contract Holly Opatick	Hello The following is the last page of the Project SEARCH Sample Application in the Toolkit. This page is often used on signing day. As with most Project SEARCH documents, it is editable. Project SEARCH Intern Agreement You and your parent / guardian will need to sign this agreement if you are accepted into the program. I, (insert name here), understand that if I am accepted into the Project SEARCH program. ● I will complete at least 3 unpaid internships at (Host Business) ● I will attend the program every day from 8:30 am- 3:00 pm (this is subject to change). ● I will follow the dress code and arrive looking clean and neat. ● I will contact my instructor and mentor when I am absent or tardy. ● I will make up any assignments I miss if I am absent. ● I will follow all the rules of (Host Business) and of the Project SEARCH program. ● I will attend all meetings with my counselor, parent / guardian, teacher, skills trainers, and business staff. ● I will participate in and discuss any issues at my meetings. ● I will actively look for a job that is 16 hours a week or more in an integrated setting. ● I understand that I must complete a background check, get a flu shot, and (add others). I have read the statements above. I agree to these terms. I accept my placement in the Project SEARCH program. I understand that I may be asked to leave Project SEARCH if I do not follow these terms.
4/17/2023 Topic: Graduation 2023 Holly Opatick	Here is a sample from Project SEARCH
5/3/2023 Topic: Intern Employment Status Data Entry Holly Opatick	Hello Beth The IDEC should be someone who is familiar with the Interns and is on the onsite team (an Instructor or Skills Trainer). The GDEC should be someone who maintains contact with program graduates such as a follow-along job coach or VR Counselor. Please remember that for both roles there should be a primary and back-up data entry coordinator. Also, remember that the IDEC enters data during the program and up until the data outcomes are due 9 months after graduation.
5/17/2023 Topic: Project SEARCH Merchandise Holly Opatick	Hello Melissa Project SEARCH Promotions is the Marketplace for Project SEARCH merch. You can access it through the Project SEARCH website or the following address. Project SEARCH Promotions (psp-include.com). Lands END also has the Project SEARCH logo on file, or you can find the logo in the Member Portal Marketing file and have it placed/embroidered on anything from a local merchandiser. Lastly, Project SEARCH has vinyl stickers that can be placed on thermoses, etc. Contact your program specialist if you would like the stickers.
5/31/2023 Topic: Small class graduation thoughts.... Holly Opatick	Hi there. Suggestions that I have heard to make the day special from other teams that have experienced low graduation numbers are the following: · If food is being served make it something that they like or could choose o Interns one year wanted hamburgers and hot dogs, so it was a picnic theme instead of finger foods. · If dessert is being served, can it be personalized to each intern? o Cookie with their name on it o Cookie with the logo on it · Make the space more intimate, so it doesn’t look empty. Or fill the space with items showcasing the interns. · Invite the hosting departments to the training room sometime before graduation to celebrate with the interns. · Invite the hosting departments to line the halls on the last day to congratulate and encourage the interns as they leave
8/24/2023 Topic: Open House Holly Opatick	Hello Attached is an older version of a PowerPoint for an Open House/Kick-off night. I hope that it provides some context. edited by holly.opatick@cchmc.org on 8/24/2023
8/24/2023 Topic: Graduation Holly Opatick	Hello! Great question! I suggest that you take a look at the graduation videos on the member portal for ideas. Project SEARCH sites do all kinds of celebrations.
9/19/2023 Topic: Journey to Work Puzzle Holly Opatick	Hello All Unfortunately, The Journey to Work Map is only available as a PDF.
9/19/2023 Topic: Student Performance Report Holly Opatick	Hello I believe this is the document you were looking for!

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