Employment outcomes and support needs of Michigan Project SEARCH graduates with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A mixed-method study-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Employment outcomes and support needs of Michigan Project SEARCH graduates with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A mixed-method study

Published:2023-11-14 Issue:3 Volume:59 Page:233-249
ISSN:1052-2263
Container-title:Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation
language:
Short-container-title:JVR

Author:

Sung Connie¹²,Fisher Marisa H.¹²,Okyere Christiana¹,Park Jiyoon¹³,Choi Heerak¹

Affiliation:

1. Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, & Special Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

2. The MSU Center for Services, Training, and Research for Independence and Desired Employment, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

3. Department of Special Education, Changwon National University, Changwon, South Korea

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Project SEARCH is a one-year school-to-work transition program that prepares students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for competitive employment. OBJECTIVE: The current study used a mixed-method explanatory design to examine Project SEARCH graduates’ overall experience of transitioning from Project SEARCH to employment, their long-term employment outcomes, and their support needs during and after the program. METHOD: Parents of 31 Project SEARCH graduates completed an online survey regarding the graduates’ outcomes and 9 parents agreed to participate in a follow-up interview. RESULTS: Respondents reported positive employment outcomes for 24 of the Project SEARCH graduates (77.4% employed after Project SEARCH), primarily in the customer service industry. CONCLUSION: The graduates were satisfied with their employment but also experienced difficulties and a need for additional employment preparation and support after Project SEARCH.

Publisher

IOS Press

Subject

Occupational Therapy,Rehabilitation

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