Bay Health’s Project SEARCH is Rewarding for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Project SEARCH Bayhealth serves young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Typically, these are high school students who are on an Individual Education Program (IEP) and in their last year of school eligibility. The goal for program participants is competitive employment.

Project SEARCH is a unique business-led, one-year, school-to-work program that takes place entirely at Bayhealth Hospital Kent County Campus. Each intern will have three internship rotations at Bayhealth Hospital working with a Bayhealth mentor and a job coach. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and relevant job-skills training through strategically designed work-based internships. Work-based learning opportunities help students attain the much-needed workplace job skills as well as social and communication skills.

75% of last year’s graduates have obtained employment with at least 16 hours a week and earning at least minimum wage!

On Thursday, January 13th, Pam Weir, Executive Director Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens (GACEC) met with Project Search interns and staff to take part in the Intern of the Month recognition ceremony. Pam with Nick and Pam with Project Search interns Joshua, Duncan and Nick.   

Project SEARCH Intern of the Month

Congratulation to the Project SEARCH Bayhealth Intern of the Month for December, Nick! Nick with Christy Betts, Special Education Transition Specialist

Nick did great work in his Rotation 1, Linen Department, he has great attendance! Nick is polite and consistently follows Bayhealth 5 Core Values! One of Nick’s fellow interns wrote:  “Nick continues to be helpful in the classroom as well as continues to step up work in and outside the workplace”

Pam noted, “this is an amazing program for transitioning students that can serve as a model for other districts considering adding this type of support. Way to go Nick!”Nick and Pam Weir

If you are a young adult ages 18 to 20 who would benefit from a fantastic transition program like Project SEARCH Bayhealth, the class of 2022-2023 is forming now! Contact Project SEARCH Bayhealth Instructor Dr. Erik Warner at erik.warner@capital.k12.de.us to learn more.

The Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens
The mission of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens (GACEC) is to serve as the review board for policies, procedures and practices related to the delivery of services for all residents with exceptionalities or disabilities in Delaware from birth to death. The GACEC also serves as the state advisory panel for agencies providing educational services and programs to children (birth through age 26) in Delaware through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The primary function of the GACEC is to advise and advocate as necessary in order to achieve its mission. The GACEC served as the State’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Children beginning in 1972 and was later renamed the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens to encompass the expansion of its role in Delaware. The passage of Senate Bill No. 20 in 2015 increased the role of the GACEC to include acting in an advisory capacity with the Department of Education and the Department of Correction on the provision of services to inmates with disabilities in the joint agency prison education system. Find out more: Call 302-739-4553 or  Visit the GACEC website