neba Partnership
Project SEARCH
Empowering Young Adults with Disabilities for Successful Careers
Project SEARCH is a unique, nine-month job training program specifically designed for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program combines hands-on job training with classroom instruction to help interns build the skills needed to secure paid, integrated community employment. With personalized support from teachers, job coaches, and employers, Project SEARCH focuses on career development and internships that prepare participants for real-world success.
Program Highlights
- Onsite job training at a host site, combining classroom learning with practical work experience.
- Nine-month intensive program dedicated to career exploration and skill-building.
- Personalized support from instructors, job coaches, and mentors to ensure success.
- Focus on achieving paid, integrated community employment for all participants.
Classroom Instruction Includes
- Professional Responsibility
- Financial Literacy
- Self-Advocacy
- Effective Communication
- Problem Solving Skills
- Career Planning & Management
- Teamwork & Flexibility
Job Training & Work Experience
Interns will complete 3 rotations in different departments, focusing on:
- Job skills
- Independence and confidence
- Quality performance
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork and responsibility
Each intern gets 1:1 job coaching at the start, with support fading as skills grow. neba will provide long-term support. Rotation choices are based on each intern’s skills, experience, and preferences.
Note: This is a training program, so interns are not paid for their internships.
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligibility Requirements
- Have the desire, family support, and plan to work competitively
- 18+ years of age
- Demonstrate independent personal hygiene and grooming skills
- Have independent daily living skills related to safety
- Maintain appropriate behavior and social skills in the workplace
- Be willing to accept constructive feedback and direction from supervisors and skills trainers
- Be willing to learn to communicate professionally and effectively
- Have transportation to and from the host site (internship location - Springfield College)
- Be able to pass Background/Criminal check
- Be willing and able to learn to be flexible
- Be willing and able to learn to use technology
- Will follow the host site’s guidelines for COVID-19, and immunizations
On Our Way
Supporting individuals at Springfield College to receive one-to-one tutorial support to learn academic, life and social skills.
neba's On Our Way program supports a select group of individuals at Springfield College to receive one-to-one tutorial support to learn academic, life, and social skills. Currently, the program serves 17 individuals with disabilities, both on-campus and virtually.
Since the Program began in 2001, neba has supervised over 82 Springfield College interns who are matched with neba On Our Way program participants for 1:1 mentoring and tutoring. The college interns fulfill class requirements, while the neba clients receiving the tutoring increase skills, reach goals, have fun on campus, and form great relationships.
When neba clients are in the college student role, they experience positive expectations, while the Springfield College interns and the campus setting enhance their learning. neba students have a sense of belonging to the campus community and benefit from establishing relationships with college students and individual tutoring time. neba students also begin to address what comes after college life such as: career goals, continuing education, and increased independence.
