Pathways Volume 7 | June 2022

Project SEARCH Impacts Lives of Young Adults with Disabilities in Tupelo Public School District

Preparing for life after high school is a right of passage for all students, even those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 

Project SEARCH provides real-life work experience combined with employment and independent living skills training to help young people with disabilities make successful transitions to a productive adult life.

 

Susan Dudley works with students in the Tupelo Public School District as a Project SEARCH Instructor at North Mississippi Health Services.

 

The project was launched in Tupelo in August 2019 as a partnership between Tupelo High School, the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, and North Mississippi Health Services.

 

Students rotate through three internships in areas of interest at the medical center during the program while gaining social, communication, and life skills. The end goal is for students to have a job when they leave the program.

 

Project SEARCH is an immersive experience for eligible students provided at the hospital, making it different from a high school setting.

 

The students learn job skills, social skills, what is expected in the work place, and how to perform at work.

 

Project SEARCH significantly impacts students' lives because it makes them feel like they are a part of the community. Working helps the students become successful and feel good about themselves.

 

Project SEARCH has grown across Mississippi over the past four years and will continue to grow in the years to come to allow transition-age high school students between 18-21 to access the program and gain the skills they need to succeed in the workplace and their communities.

 

In the Tupelo area, schools are continually being added to the program to provide students access to these services. Next year, Project SEARCH will be picking up the Lee County School District high schools and Nettleton High School to allow more students to participate.

 

There are many success stories of students from the Tupelo Public School District program. Several students have been hired full-time with benefits in different positions. One young lady from the first-year program is an employee at the hospital laundry. She is doing a fantastic job there, and the staff loves working with her.

 

Two young adults work with food nutrition services, and another works in Central Sterile Processing. One student also went on to community college and worked at a local restaurant while going to school.

 

In her 40 years in education, Dudley said working with Project SEARCH is her favorite job.

 

"I can see the skills our students are learning. I can see the things we are doing that will impact the rest of their lives," Dudley said. "The program gives them the skills they need to be as independent as possible. It allows them to access their community and build adult relationships once they get out of high school that they otherwise might not have had the opportunity to do."

 

Dudley claims that she sees more growth in that year than in any other program within the school setting.

 

Project SEARCH has made the community aware of potential employees who are dedicated, enthusiastic, and committed to showing up.

 

The program gives businesses a workforce to choose from they might not have realized they had access to before.

 

A business advisory committee was formed to share the program's positive outcomes with community businesses and allows them to share what they need from their workforce.

 

This input helps the program train its interns in those skill levels.

 

"Set expectations high. Our students will strive to meet them. Don't look at the fact they have a disability – look at their abilities. They can learn. Often, they learn differently, but that doesn't mean they can't do it," said Dudley.

 

Students unsure about the program should try it because they will have a support team to help find the job they want. They will be able to learn new things they've never experienced before and improve their skillsets.

 

If you are interested in learning more about Project SEARCH, visit www.mdrs.ms.gov.

Tupelo Public Schools Holds Transition Fair

MSPTI recently participated in Tupelo Public School District's Transition Fair. This was a great opportunity for families to learn about available services and resources in the community to better support youth with disabilities as they transition into adulthood.

Mississippi disAbility MegaConference Recap

This year's disAbility MegaConference was a huge success! Attendees were treated with hearing from three fabulous keynote speakers and a variety of breakout sessions that covered topics from public transportation to independent living skills. The conference was held on July 16-17 at the Hilton in Jackson, MS. Fun activities were held throughout the conference and included a game night and Gala with food, dancing, and whole lot of fun!

Born to be WILD Family and Friends Picnic Unites Community and Organizations for a Day of Fun 

This year's Born to be WILD Family and Friends Picnic brought many families and organizations together despite the weather, and the event did not disappoint! Guests were treated to lunch, all-day access to the Museum of Natural Science, and access to the LeFleur's Bluff wheelchair accessible playground. Fun events were held throughout the day, including a scavenger hunt, creature feature, K-9 demonstration, dino races, and a Project PAC demonstration.

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Register Now!

The Mississippi Developmental Disabilities Network is hitting the road and wants to meet with you! DRMS, along with our partners at Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities and Institute for Disability Studies, will be hosting community forums in the Jackson, Gulf Coast, and Southaven areas in August.


Mark your calendars! Not in the area or can't make it? An online opportunity for you to provide input available next month.

Download PDF

Disclosing Mental Heath Conditions at Work

Some disabilities are not obvious. In fact, hidden disabilities such as mental illness are quite common and can affect work or daily living. Having a mental illness may not affect your job performance, but others may need job accommodations to perform the essential functions of their job.


Whether to disclose a mental illness to an employer is a personal decision. Staying silent is not a lie, it is a choice. Each person must make a disclosure decision that’s right for the situation and right for them. Think through your disclosure decision: How will this help me? How could it hurt me? Why am I choosing to disclose?


Most of the time, a decision to disclose is rooted in the desire to do a good job. If you are struggling at work, you can request accommodations and/or modifications under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) so you are able to perform the major functions of your job. You may also qualify for another job with your current employer where you can perform the required duties with or without accommodations.


For advice on how to disclose, we turned to NAMI. If you need an accommodation, the first step is to ask. It's up to you to request an accommodation. Once you have submitted a request, an employer is required to sit down and talk with you about possible accommodations.


  1.  Ask your employer's human resources (HR) personnel how to request accommodation. A request process may already be in place.
  2. Consider the types of accommodations you need. Be specific. Be ready to explain how the accommodation will help you perform your job.
  3. Put your request in writing.
  4. Talk with your treatment provider and ask if they can provide documentation. Your doctor/provider can write a note, usually in the form of a letter, stating that you have mental illness and need accommodation. It may be helpful to share guidance on workplace accommodations with your provider.
  5. Take detailed notes and keep a written record of any conversations you have with the employer. Keep copies of any emails you send and any forms you complete.
  6. Negotiate. Be flexible and ready to discuss your options.
  7. What Can Employers Do to Improve the Workplace?
  8. Looking for ways to make the workplace more aware of mental health issues? The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) offers a number of resources developed as part of the "Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?" campaign.


Check out ODEP’s video in English.


Check out ODEP’s video in Spanish.

Strengthening Section 504

U.S. Department of Education has announced plans to strengthen and protect rights for students with disabilities by amending regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will solicit public comments to help decide how best to improve current regulations to assist America's students with disabilities.


Learn more about the opportunity to take action on improving Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.


Get details and information on how to submit comments.


National Effort to Address Mental Health for Students


As part of President Joe Biden’s Unity Agenda, the administration announced a comprehensive strategy to address our nation's mental health crisis. The work that OCR will do this month to listen to and solicit public input regarding improvements to the Department's disability rights regulations will include input from those people with disabilities who also have mental health needs, as well as their advocates.


Learn more about President Biden's strategy to address our nation’s mental health crisis.

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Independent Living, Here We Come!


Friday, July 1

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM


Click here to register


The Family Role in Transition Planning


Monday, July 11

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM


Click here to register


Special Education Records: What to Keep and How to Organize


Tuesday, July 12

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM


Click here to register


Parental Consent in Special Education


Thursday, July 14

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM


Click here to register


Navigating the IEP: Part 1


Tuesday, July 19

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM


Click here to register


Request, Referral, and Consent


Thursday, July 21

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM


Click here to register


Mapping Dreams: Transition to Adulthood


Tuesday, August 2

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM


Click here to register

Parent Advocacy Academy (Part 1)


Thursday, August 4

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM


Click here to register


Section 504, ADAA and Children with Disabilities or Special Health Care Needs: What Parents Need to Know 


Tuesday, August 9

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM


Click here to register


Getting and Keeping the First Job 


Thursday, August 11

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM


Click here to register


IDEA Part C Early Intervention Written State Complaints: A Guide for Families of Infants and Toddlers (Birth through Age 2)


Tuesday, August 16

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM


Click here to register


Parent Advocacy Academy (Part 2)


Thursday, August 18

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM


Click here to register


Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act: After High School


Tuesday, August 23

11:00 AM - 12:00 AMP


Click here to register

Watch Archived Webinars
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Be a Guest on Our Video Series and

Inspire Others


Do you have a personal story that would inspire and encourage others?


Are you a young adult with a disability that has grown into a strong self-advocate?


Please reach out to MSPTI to share your experience and be a guest on our video series Journey of a Disability Warrior: The Road's We've Traveled. We would love to hear from you and help speak your message of hope and perseverance!


If you would like to be a guest, please email brittany@mspti.org. 

July


Williams Syndrome Awareness Month

Disability Awareness Day - July 14

American Disabilities Act 31st Anniversary - July 26



August


Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month

Back to School, Accessibility Awareness Resources

International Assistance Dog Week - First week of August

National Purple Heart Day - August 7




September


National Guide Dog Month

World Alzheimer's Month

World Alzheimer's Day - September 6

International Week of the Deaf - September 21

International Day of Sign Language - September 23

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