SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) – A program run by United Rehabilitation Services and Springfield Medical Center is providing young people with special needs, with a career.
It’s estimated that there is a 76 percent unemployment rate for adults with disabilities, but everyone who has gone through Project Search now has a job.
The one year, post high school program trains students with developmental disabilities.
Seven interns are part of the program this year.
“We assess them and based on their interests and abilities we match them up with mentors in different departments,” said Jeana Baucant, with Springfield Regional Medical Center.
The internships are in several departments, including environmental services, dietary services, materials management and receiving and shipping.
The goal is for the students to learn skills that will help them find a career.
“For us to give these high school students the opportunity to refine those skills, so they know they can be successful they can get out there and get a job when they’re done and be productive citizens that really give back, is so important to us,” said URS Executive Director Dennis Grant.
So far, Project Search has a 100 percent success rate and is making a difference in the lives of everyone involved.
“It’s really added a great sense of pride and really brought up the bar for people, having these folks here,” said Baucant.
