Aug. 21, 2009, 12 a.m. - D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Department of Disability Services Director Judith E. Heumann announced that a cohort of District of Columbia Public School students with disabilities will report to the U.S. Department of Labor on the first day of school.

Twelve students will complete their final year in school at DOL, as a part of Project SEARCH, a nationally acclaimed, school-to-career project for youth with disabilities. The District’s program is the first project of its kind in the federal government. 

“We are very excited about bringing this proven model to the District and about the possibility of replicating it so that additional students in DCPS can have well-paying jobs with benefits upon graduation,” said Fenty.  “The Department of Labor is viewing this as a model that can be replicated throughout the federal government system.” 

Project SEARCH is a combined education and work program that prepares participating students for competitive employment in the community.  The students will spend their entire school day in a DOL classroom with a DCPS teacher, job coaches as well as job developers furnished by DC’s Rehabilitation Services Administration and Kennedy Institute of Catholic Charities. 

“We are committed to creating as many options as possible in our school transition services,” said DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee. “This program provides us with a model that offers participating students a quality education, engaging them in an employability skills curriculum and work experiences that has been proven to increase employability after graduation.” 

As part of the program, students will work to develop employability skills for specific job tasks (e.g., data entry, telephone/reception skills and etiquette, office management). They will also learn about workplace expectations such as, how to communicate with a supervisor, interviewing skills and resume development. Each student will participate in three 10-11 week job environments that are designed to teach competitive marketable job skills. 

“We have been working together since December 2008 to lay the groundwork for this school year,” said Judith E. Heumann, director, DC Department on Disability Services. “We are enthusiastic about this project because, nationally, this program has not only led to employment for students but also has reportedly changed the workplace culture in the organizations that accept students, which then opens door for others.”