Norfolk General Hospital Launches Project SEARCH
(Pictured left to right: Jeff Senior, Principal Leader for Specialized Services, Grand Erie; Jennifer Vanden Hengel, Skills Trainer and Job Coach, NACL; Alex, Project SEARCH intern; Thayne, Project SEARCH intern; Kerri Emberlin, Director of Volunteer & Spiritual Care Services, NGH; Larkin, Project SEARCH intern; Rebekah, Project SEARCH intern; Evan, Project SEARCH intern; Ryan Nightingale, an instructor with Grand Erie; Sarah-Jane Irvine, CHRL, Chief Human Resources Officer, NGH; Andrea Jenkins, Teacher Consultant Alternative Programming Secondary, Grand Erie; and Paul Found, Job Links Supervisor, NACL)
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Five area high school students are preparing for their future and learning new skills at Norfolk General Hospital (NGH), and they are not letting an intellectual disability prevent them from them following their passion and dreams.
For example, Evan aspires to a career in housekeeping, Rebekah is determined to become a Veterinary technician, and Alex is chasing his dreams of working as a voice actor or in the video game industry.
NGH, in partnership with the Grand Erie District School Board (Grand Erie) and the Norfolk Association for Community Living (NACL), is excited to be hosting a transformative school-to-work transition program called Project SEARCH. This program aims to provide local high school students with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and skills necessary for a successful transition into the working world. NGH is proudly taking the lead on Project Search locally. It’s the very first program of its kind in Norfolk County and one of only ten offered throughout Ontario.
“These students, currently in their final year of high school, are actively honing the skills required for a successful transition into the workforce,” said Ryan Nightingale, an instructor with Grand Erie. “The goal for the students is ultimately to find competitive employment after graduation in the Norfolk community.”
Project SEARCH is a globally recognized initiative that focuses on empowering youth with intellectual disabilities by equipping them with practical skills and experiences. The program runs though the school year and offers three, ten-week training periods (internships), which combines classroom instruction with hands-on task training within a host organization’s environment. The ultimate goal is to prepare students for gainful employment and contribute to their overall well-being.
NGH is providing internships for five students in various departments and services within our healthcare facilities. These students will rotate through three different internship positions over the course of the school year learning tasks within various areas. We believe that this collaborative effort will not only benefit the students but also enrich our organization by promoting diversity and inclusive practices.
NGH welcomed its first group of Project SEARCH interns in September 2023. The instruction is being provided by an instructor from the Grand Erie, along with a skills trainer from the Norfolk Association for Community Living.
“The interns began their journey with three weeks of classroom-based employment skills training, added Ryan. In the fourth week, we gradually introduce them to their internships, providing one-on-one assistance from our skills trainer. After that, they spend time within NGH’s programs, learning practical and social skills like teamwork, following instructions, and time management.”
The success of Project SEARCH is evident in its outcomes. Around 75% of students who have completed the program find gainful employment within a year of graduation. This program not only empowers the participants but also fosters a more inclusive and diverse work environment.
Jennifer Vanden Hengel, Skills Trainer and Job Coach with NACL, expresses her enthusiasm for Project Search, highlighting the unique opportunity it offers to individuals like those involved in the program.
“The best part about Project Search is that it’s an exciting opportunity for Individuals involved in the program to enhance their skills and brighten their futures. It opens up a wide range of employment opportunities when they graduate, and being part of something so innovative and transformative is incredibly exciting.”
Kerri Emberlin, Director of Volunteer & Spiritual Care Services at NGH and NGH lead for the project, describes Project SEARCH as “truly energizing,” highlighting its positive impact on both the students and our organization.
“The interns at NGH are high school students entering their final year to acquire essential skills for their journey into the workforce. Our goal for these incredible students is to see them stepping confidently into competitive jobs after they graduate. We truly believe that implementing Project SEARCH into our diverse organization will light up pathways to remarkable employment opportunities for these young people.”
