New Project SEARCH program graduates four in first year

Last school year, CCSD partnered with Campbell County to bring a new program to our students – a program built on hands-on job skill experiences for young adults earning their certificate of completion.

The program, Project SEARCH, is used internationally to help open doors to employment opportunities for those with disabilities.

Throughout three nine-week rotations, interns worked five days a week at their worksites. They developed communication skills, adapted to different environments and discovered areas they may want to pursue as future careers.

We are proud to announce that four students – Wyatt, Estrella, Yuliia and Tayven – graduated from the program in May! All four have interviewed for positions throughout town and some have already secured employment.

Sarah Williams-Upton, Project SEARCH instructor, and Ramona Magnuson, skills trainer, deemed the first year not only a success for students but also an incredibly rewarding experience for the pair who worked alongside the interns each day.

At the beginning of the year, the two spent three weeks preparing students for their rotations. They covered everything from workplace dress and expectations to interacting with coworkers, supervisors and customers.

Throughout the year, they continued meeting with students in their home office in the basement of the Campbell County Courthouse while also visiting worksites to observe the interns on the job. They took notes, discussed what was going well and identified areas where students could continue building skills and confidence.

This year, interns completed rotations in six different county departments: Children’s Developmental Services, Rockpile Museum, Rec Center, Juvenile Services, landfill and airport.

Job duties ranged from working with children to food preparation and custodial work, upkeep and maintenance at the airport and handling admissions at the museum.

“It’s been a very rewarding experience,” Williams-Upton said. “Seeing the growth throughout the year. They are such fantastic people and they’ve done great work in the community.”

Magnuson added that the impact the interns left on their workplaces was evident through the positive feedback shared by supervisors and coworkers.

Along with workplace experience, the interns also spent time giving. Between rotations, the team volunteered at different organizations throughout Gillette.

They completed background checks and fingerprinting, practiced filling out job applications, strengthened interview skills and tracked their work hours using a time clock system. Interns were paid for their work through Wyoming’s Vocational Rehabilitation Division, a branch of the Department of Workforce Services.

The division also provided equipment when needed for specific rotations and can continue supporting interns moving forward through job coaching and additional workplace services.

The networking opportunities, resources and skills students were exposed to throughout the school year were invaluable, Williams-Upton said. The experience opened students’ eyes to what they can achieve while also showcasing just how marketable these young adults are within our community.

Next year, the two hope to expand the program through partnerships with even more county departments. The more experiences interns can gain, the more prepared they will be for future careers.

It was a year filled with pride, growth, new perspectives and countless moments of learning – both for the interns and the adults supporting them every step of the way.

We are incredibly appreciative of the students who knocked this program out of the park, the instructors for their tireless dedication and the county departments and supervisors who provided meaningful spaces for our students to grow and learn more about themselves.

And if anyone in the community is looking for volunteer help next school year, don’t hesitate to reach out. These interns proved time and time again this year that they are ready to work hard and make a difference wherever they go.