Chantz Watkins, a current senior at Smoky Valley High School, recently signed with Project
SEARCH at Salina Regional Health Center Internship program. Project SEARCH is a program
designed for students to help reach the goal of competitive employment. To reach that goal, the
program provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent-
living skills to help young people with significant intellectual disabilities make successful transitions
to productive adult life. The Project SEARCH model involves an extensive period of skills training
and career exploration, innovative adaptations, long-term job coaching, and continuous feedback
from teachers, skills trainers, and employers. As a result, at the completion of the training program,
students with significant intellectual disabilities are employed in nontraditional, complex and
rewarding jobs. In addition, the presence of a Project SEARCH program can bring about long-term
changes in business culture that have far-reaching positive effects on attitudes about hiring people
with disabilities and the range of jobs in which they can be successful.
To be considered for the program, students are referred through their schools, a family member,
friends or Vocational Rehabilitation and apply up to a year in advance to entering the program. The
process includes tours, student interviews, hands-on assessments at the host business, and scoring
on a rubric to meet entrance considerations. Chantz met all of the eligibility criteria and was
accepted into the Salina Regional Health Center location and will begin the program in the fall of
2023.