ACPS Students to Participate in Project SEARCH at Inova Alexandria Hospital

Alexandria, Va. — Eight 18- to 22-year-old Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) students with disabilities will work at Inova Alexandria Hospital during the school year in conjunction with the Project Search High School Transition Program, a unique, business-led, one-year school-to-work program that takes place entirely at the workplace. A kick-off event will take place from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29, in the Inova Alexandria Hospital Education Center, 4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria.

"Project Search has the essential components for ensuring successful post-secondary outcomes for our adult students with disabilities," said ACPS Director of Special Education Jane Quenneville. "We are thrilled to launch the first Project Search site in Alexandria."

Project Search has grown from one original program site at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center to more than 200 locations across the United States and Canada, England, Scotland and Australia. The program's primary objective is to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities. The Alexandria endeavor is a joint effort among ACPS, Inova Alexandria Hospital, the City of Alexandria's Department of Rehabilitative Services and Linden Resources.

Students will participate in three 10-week rotations in various internships throughout the hospital. Participating hospital departments will include patient transport, emergency services, materials management and nursing units, among others.

Total workplace immersion will facilitate for the students a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration and hands-on training through worksite rotations. Students will spend approximately 30 minutes in the classroom at the beginning and end of each day, debriefing how their day went and what aspects of the job may need to be addressed for the following day. A full-time teacher and job coach are assigned to the Project Search site to work with students on various skills necessary to successfully perform their jobs.

For more information on results or to arrange media coverage, please contact ACPS Director of Communications and Public Relations Kelly L. Alexander at 703-824-6635.