Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick have announced a two-year, $150,000 grant to the Arc of Baltimore, to help expand Project Search.

Project Search is currently a one-year educational program for Baltimore City students with developmental disabilities to receive services through the Baltimore City Public Schools. The grant, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will allow the Arc to expand Project Search to Baltimore County. The program combines classroom and real-work experiences so that students are prepared for employment upon leaving school.

“Governor O’Malley and I are proud of the investments we have made in programs like Project Search and we applaud all of the partners that have made this program so successful,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “It’s fitting that we make this announcement as Arc of Baltimore celebrates its 60th anniversary. For 60 years, Arc of Baltimore has fought to ensure that people with developmental disabilities have maximum opportunities to actively participate in all aspects of community life and to offer programs and services that support them in doing so. Because of their service and their work, Maryland is a better, stronger and more dynamic state.”

Dr. Grasmick said she is excited that Project Search can be expanded.

“Project Search builds a foundation for employment success for students whose potential may be overlooked,” Dr. Grasmick noted. “The program builds on a collaborative initiative of the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Rehabilitation Services, the Arc of Baltimore and the Baltimore City Public Schools that helps students to build competitive employment skills.”

View a video about Baltimore City Public High School students who participated in Project Search during the 2008-09 school year.

The unique cornerstone of Project Search is that both the job experiences and the classroom activities take place in a business setting. This past school year, the University of Maryland, Baltimore served as the inaugural business partner. The current grant allows the Arc to develop other business partners.

In Project Search, a typical school day includes:

• Classroom instruction in employability and independent living skills
• Participation at one or more worksite rotations
• Lunch with peers
• Feedback from the instructor

Students are given support through on-the-job coaching and work site accommodations with the ultimate goal of employment and independence. They each receive individualized support in finding permanent employment at the end of the school year.

The grant to the Arc of Baltimore is one of seven awarded to employment programs in the state that develop job skills for underserved individuals with disabilities. The Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (an agency of the State Department of Education) reviewed grant applications and awarded the funds.