Bergen County Project Search still has openings for the fall 2019 school year. This is an terrific opportunity for students in their last year of school to spend an entire year with a teacher and two job coaches working in internships in different departments at a local hospital. Most individuals in the program are placed in jobs at graduation. This program builds successful futures. Contact Project Search today for more information.

The Arc of New Jersey advocated at the State House last month, along with fellow members of the Coalition for a DSP Living Wage, regarding the impacts a proposed $15 minimum would have on the Direct Support Professional workforce. It is important for legislators to remember that providers are unable to pass along the cost of a higher minimum wage to consumers and so funding to accommodate an increase must come from the state. In addition, we emphasized to lawmakers that DSPs are not minimum wage workers and starting salaries must be kept above the state’s minimum wage in order to compete with entry-level jobs.

Project Search Information sessions - Public (Family/Student) Information sessions- 11/29/18 6pm and 1/10/19 6pm. Session for School District staff 11/16/18 8:30am.

Project SEARCH is a one-year, business-led, unpaid internship program for students with disabilities in their last year of high school that takes place entirely at a host business site. It provides students who want to work a chance to explore careers and develop transferable job skills. The combination of instruction and immersion in the workplace prepares young adults with disabilities to make successful transitions from school to productive adult life.

Current Bergen County Project SEARCH host business sites:
•Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack
•Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck

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