Morningside - What's New

Project SEARCH Program Launched at The Evergreen State College

Project SEARCH students at The Evergreen State College Morningside, in partnership with The Evergreen State College and the Olympia School District, proudly announces the launch of a new Project SEARCH program at TESC! Project SEARCH began in Cincinnati Children’s Hospital as a program to partner a large community employer with a community rehabilitation program such as Morningside. The program enables people with
disabilities the opportunity to work at jobs that otherwise would not have been available to them without the partnership. Morningside’s program is unique in that it is an internship program for high school students with disabilities. The seven students are in their last year of school and getting ready to transition to the working world. The program introduces them to a multitude of skills and work environments as part of a rotating work internship experience at the college. Students get the opportunity to rotate three times during the year through various departments on the Evergreen campus. The goal for each student is to identify an area of interest and develop the skills necessary to secure employment in that field by the end of the school year. The goal of the partnership is to make the transition of services and skills learned from the education system to the working world and adult life as seamless as possible. The Project SEARCH program has been replicated in several states, including by Morningside at the Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles. However, this is the first college in the West to host a Project SEARCH program and also the only one to incorporate a High School Transition Program element. The program came together as a result of an enthusiastic partnership between Morningside, the Olympia School District, and The Evergreen State College - all organizations known for innovative programs! Generous financial support to launch the program was received from several foundations with the M.J. Murdock Trust contributing the lead gift to make the program a reality. TESC was chosen because of its mission “to sustain a vibrant academic community and offer students an education that will help them excel in their intellectual, creative, professional and community service goals.” One of their guiding principles is a commitment to public service and reciprocal local, regional, and national partnerships as well as diversity in its student population. It was a natural fit. The Olympia School District was also excited about the program, the partnership, and the immense benefits for its students. A reception celebrating the program launch and the students involved was held on October 7 at the Evergreen campus library. Dr. Les Purce, TESC President, John Hurley, VP Finance and Administration, and Holly Colbert Joseph, TESC Program Liaison were on hand to recognize the students. Bill Lahmann, OSD Superintendent and TESC and Morningside staff were also on hand to celebrate the kick-off of this innovative and exciting new program.