Project SEARCH - For Partners

DVR oversees all Project SEARCH programs in Wisconsin, provides a vocational rehabilitation counselor to assist with Project SEARCH interns, and provides the funding to hire an instructor at each site.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and/or Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

• Joins the Project SEARCH team in intern selection, job search, and improvement efforts
• Receives Project SEARCH referrals and determines if interns are eligible for services
• Provides input to the team for the career goals of the interns
• Coordinates other supports and services as needed to reach career goals for the interns

The educational partner hires the instructor for the program. This could via a School District, CESA or Vocational Provider based on the program.

Project SEARCH Instructor

• Facilitates the yearly calendar of events for the program
• Works with the Steering Committee to recruit and select interns
• Develops internships (this includes task lists and VocFit Assessment)
• Plans and delivers the Project SEARCH employability skills curriculum
• Works with team members to match interns to internships
• Plans and implements the Employment Planning Meetings
• Works with the team to ensure the intern reaches the goal of competitive employment
• Assists intern to become eligible for long-term employment support, when needed

Administrator (School and Supported Employment Agency)

• Hires Project SEARCH instructor or skills trainers
• Joins the Project SEARCH team in intern selection, job search, and improvement efforts
• Provides overall support, problem solving, and planning for the staff and program
• Assists with issues such as compliance, data collection, and reports

Business Liaison

• Works with the Steering Committee to recruit and select interns
• Markets Project SEARCH throughout the host business and to like businesses
• Recruits departments to host internships
• Helps the interns, instructor, and skills trainers be successful in the host business culture
• Promotes hiring of interns for openings that are a good fit with their skills and interests

Department Manager / Mentor / Co-Worker

• Identifies orientation and safety training for the internship department
• Determines tasks, quality, and productivity benchmarks for internship
• Gives honest feedback to team members
• Attends Employment Planning Meetings to give updates to the team
• Advocates for job opportunities and hiring for open positions that are a good fit for interns

Follow Along (Long-Term Developmental Disabilities Service Provider)

• Provides job-retention support to program graduates
• Communicates with team members about successes, issues, and helps solve problems
• Trains new skills and retrains as needed (using systematic instruction) Provides training for co-workers to support the graduate in keeping their job

Project SEARCH Skills Trainer

• Works with Steering Committee to recruit and select interns
• Develops internships (this includes task lists and VocFit Assessment)
• Works with team to match interns to internships
• Teaches tasks to interns and ensures they gain competitive skills (using job aids as needed)
• Partners with the managers / mentors to support interns’ progress and solve any challenges

Job Developer (often through the Community Rehabilitation Partner)

• Attends Employment Planning Meetings to learn more about intern
• Explores jobs that match interns’ interests and skills
• Communicates with all team members about jobs options
• Coordinates job coaching and other job details with all team members
• Provides reports for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and other team members