© 2024 WXPR
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Howard Young Medical Center Joins SEARCH Disability Employment Program

Ascension Health Care

Career exploration and hands-on training for students with disabilities is the purpose of a new program at Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff.

Set to begin this fall, Project SEARCH is a one year, business-led, school-to-work program involving workplace immersion by combining classroom instruction, career exploration and hands-on training.

Community Service Coordinator Kathy Viergutz outlines the program....

"....there is a three month rotation where the participant interns will receive real life work experience to provide them with skills they need to obtain a job and succeed in the workforce..."

As the business partner, Howard Young Medical Center will provide a training room with computer access for the interns who are led by a Skills Trainer as they establish individual education plans for participants. 10 to 12 students are expected to join the program in the first year.

Viergutz says to launch the program,Howard Young is partnering with several organizations....

"...Howard Young is partnering with Lakeland Union High School, Tomahawk and Rhinelander School Districts, also with the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Headwaters, Inc. and Wisconsin Long Term Support System and the the Aging and Disability Resource Center...."

Viergutz says the goal upon graduation is for participants to obtain competitive employment using the job skills learned during the internships. An informational meeting for students and families is set for Monday, March 20. The meeting will be from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at Howard Young Medical Center.

For more information on the informational meeting or Project SEARCH, contact Viergutz at 715.356.8677 or kathy.viergutz@ascension.org.

Up North Updates
* indicates required