11/18/2021 Topic: Project SEARCH question of the week Holly Opatick	What are you MOST thankful for at your host business?
11/24/2021 Topic: Externships Holly Opatick	Hello Mindy Yes, from a Project SEARCH standpoint it is ok to do a third rotation off site. In terms of offsite internships, they can be a lot of work and require additional staffing and transportation. The internship should have a high potential of leading to paid employment. Project SEARCH understands at this time it might be a great alternative. Here are some important questions for Steering Committees to address when considering an externship/ third rotation offsite: · Need: Do they really need the externship? Project SEARCH would only recommend looking at this option if they either need it to learn a very specific skillset needed for a job and/or if they had a very strong potential of being hired by that business. · Staffing: Is there enough staffing for an externship? This can be tricky because a staff still must go to the externship site for skills training and this can leave the main site short during these times. Is there a good understanding and plan of how much support they will need at the other site? What is the plan (including when they will visit, how they will connect, what to do if a problem arises, etc.)? · Transportation: How will the intern get from the host business to the externship? How long is the commute, and will this eat into their time available to learn skills? How will they get home? Will additional travel training be needed? · Liability: How will they be covered at the externship? Are other liability forms needed so that this site is included?
11/24/2021 Topic: Webinar for Interns Holly Opatick	Hi Kristen I believe that you are referring to an update webinar conducted by Erin and Susie in September and October, titled Six Tools to Increase Transition from School to Work. A recording of the webinar is in the video library under webinar updates, updates with Susie and Erin October 6. Hope this information isn't too late!
11/25/2021 Topic: Sterile Processing Holly Opatick	Sterile Processing Department tasks include Case Cart Prepping/Washing Dirty and Clean room cart responsibilities Remove case cart items after surgeries and prep carts for washer Remove carts from washer and dry them Remove items from the instrument washers and place on proper shelf Dry and organize containers Other Sterile Processing tasks Deliver supplies to SPD department Restock returned supplies Pick instruments and supplies for surgery (case carts) Wrap items prior to sterilization.
11/26/2021 Topic: Cintas Locations Holly Opatick	Hello Ladies Just to let you know, you two are the only Cintas locations hosting Project SEARCH according to the database! Glad you found each other I also searched for Cintas competitors and did not find any in the database. Please feel free to reach out out to Project SEARCH Program Specialist Joy Burress, joy.burress@cchmc.org, as she is the representative for both of your states if you need any assistance. We are here to help!
12/5/2021 Topic: Handbook Holly Opatick	Hello Yes, a number of Project SEARCH program have handbooks with information that you are seeking. I am a new Program Specialist with Project SEARCH National, but I oversaw programming at hospitals in Pittsburgh and Morgantown with Goodwill of Southwestern PA/ North Central WV for many years. Attached you will find the UPMC Project SEARCH handbook. Additionally, Goodwill modeled their handbook after one created by Butler Tech in OH. I have attached that copy, but Mollie McIntosh may also be able to supply a more up to date copy. Her contact information is below: Mollie McIntosh Office Phone: 513-298-8771 Email: mcintoshm@butlertech.org
12/5/2021 Topic: Clocking In and Out Holly Opatick	Hello All A few years ago I presented at the Project SEARCH conference 8 FREE Ways to Improve your Project SEARCH Experience. One of the ways was time and attendance tracking. The following is from the PowerPoint Side related to this topic. Time and Attendance tracking advice: Students clock in and out of the worksite using same or similar host site method Procedure requires individual code Instructor can track time accuracy Records attendance Option for classes who cannot use worksite timeclock Sample Apps: Timeclock Tracker, HoursTracker, TimeTracker The sites that I oversaw utilized the volunteer services time keeper for the hospital. It recorded when the intern clocked in and out and measured the amount of time spent in the internship. Interns clock in as soon as they enter the hospital and clock out before they left for the classroom each day.
12/27/2021 Topic: Trouble answering direct questions/asking for help Holly Opatick	The following message was posted by Holly Opatick, but answered by Project SEARCH co-founder Erin Riehle: Is she getting on fine? Have we checked quality and productivity of the task. Measure those and then create accommodations accordingly – such as a timer, or a checklist or picture checklist. edited by holly.opatick@cchmc.org on 12/29/2021
12/29/2021 Topic: Trouble answering direct questions/asking for help Holly Opatick	The following message was posted by Holly Opatick, but answered by Project SEARCH co-founder Susie Rutkowski: Totally agree with Erin. A few more thoughts: Does the intern know her productivity and other goals If so does she understand them? Are they checking for understanding in other ways than questions (circling back to Erin’s comments) Are they giving her wait time to come up with an answer? 😊 Susie
1/10/2022 Topic: Using Your Social Filter Holly Opatick	https://www.badgerstatespeeechy.com/say-it-or-think-it-social-filter/ This website is a great resource for social filter activities across elementary, middle, high school and adults.
1/10/2022 Topic: Project SEARCH question of the week Holly Opatick	When it comes to Project SEARCH, what is one thing you couldn’t live without?
1/26/2022 Topic: PS Internship Evaluation Holly Opatick	Hi Andrea I asked the Project SEARCH Program Specialists if any one knew of a team that had an existing intern evaluation in Spanish. Sadly, no one new of one. However, they did have a suggestion of Project SEARCH folks to connect with who may have one already created, namely Rafael Abreu. He can be reached at rabreu@miamigov.com. He is the business liaison for the City of Miami's Project SEARCH site. Erin also added, that Project SEARCH would love to have it and add it to the other existing Spanish tools. Hope this helps!
1/26/2022 Topic: Graphic Design Internship Holly Opatick	A Project SEARCH site asked if we knew of any examples of a graphic design internship at any sites. Do you have a graphic design internship or something similar at your host business? Please share thoughts and examples
3/2/2022 Topic: Host Site/SEARCH Combined Job Descriptions Holly Opatick	Hello the following is located in the Project SEARCH Toolkit, essential documents. RG.I.Internship_JobAnalysis.V_12.16.20.docx
3/4/2022 Topic: Business Advisory Committees Holly Opatick	Hello. I know this isn't what you asked for, but I think its a great resource for recruiting BAC members.
5/20/2022 Topic: Pharmacy Internships - Inpatient / Outpatient Holly Opatick	Hi Adam The following examples are taken from the Member Portal Toolkit Internship Examples: Hospital Pharmacy · Clean, dust, and sanitize work surfaces, bins, and carts · Receive and stock supplies · Check expiration dates · Sort products in bins and organize for deliveries · File labels and forms in designated order · Stock and face retail shelves · Fax, scan, and copy forms and documents · Prepare mailings · Wash glass and plastic cylinders and containers · Greet customers · Show customers where items are located and how to scan codes · Bag retail sales
5/20/2022 Topic: Expectations of an Intern Holly Opatick	Hi folks Bayhealth in Delaware just shared their signing day document with us. Happy to share with the group!
5/20/2022 Topic: Pharmacy Internships - Inpatient / Outpatient Holly Opatick	For reference to other positions here is the entire document Have a great weekend
5/22/2022 Topic: Hiring Staff for Project SEARCH Holly Opatick	Hello Here is sample wording for a Project SEARCH Instructor job posting The instructor is the on-site coordinator and an integral part of the team. In most Project SEARCH programs the instructor’s role is similar to a case manager or program coordinator for the student interns. The duties include: Planning and teaching the Project SEARCH Employability Skills curriculum Assisting student interns with interviewing skills and resume and portfolio development Coordinating and implementing the Employment Planning meetings to be held at least twice during each internship Completing the Vocational Fit Assessment for the student interns and internships with the skills trainer(s), sharing the information with the team, and applying the results for meaningful internship selection and final job development Developing internship sites with the business liaison and skills trainer Ensuring that the student interns learn competitive, marketable, transferable skills and achieve maximum productivity and quality while on their internships Developing work accommodations and work aids with the skills trainer Evaluating each student intern’s progress and filling out required documentation for partners, funders, and the Project SEARCH database Providing employer education about disability awareness and supervising people with disabilities Recruiting student interns for the next Project SEARCH class and creating a pipeline of potential candidates Ensuring that student interns are eligible for VR, long-term support, SSI, and other appropriate community, state, and federal supports Advocating for and facilitating internal job development at the host business Developing relationships with potential community employers Marketing the program within the host business and to the wider community Interacting with the student interns’ family members/caregivers
5/22/2022 Topic: Hiring Staff for Project SEARCH Holly Opatick	Hi again The following is a sample description/posting for the Skills Trainer. The Skill Trainer is the on-site intern/host business support and an integral part of the team. In most Project SEARCH programs the skills trainer's role is similar, but not the same as a job coach as this role is designed to support and train student interns during the Project SEARCH year to prepare for competitive, integrated employment. Work time will be spent in a classroom, host business, and community settings. Mobility within the host business is required on a daily basis. EXPECTED GOALS/OUTCOMES Adheres to and promotes standards of the host business and/or competitive work site in order to promote performance, productivity, quality and efficiency. Submits and completes paperwork including, monthly skill instruction reports, case noting, and job skills metrics. Willingness to commit to the meetings that go above the standard work day (family involvement meetings, information night, committee meetings etc.) Ability to assist the instructor in teaching the Project SEARCH curriculum and having the ability to convey information in a manner that promotes understanding. Recognizes and acts concerning the safety and welfare of the interns. Demonstrates daily work assignment responsibilities: is accountable for all hours assigned, is punctual and regular in attendance, and attends appropriate training activities.

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