Project SEARCH featured at the 2017 MI Hidden Talent Workshop
The MI Hidden Talent initiative is an effort created by Lt. Governor Brian Calley and Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein to showcase the opportunity to strengthen Michigan businesses by hiring people with disabilities.
Michigan has made an astounding comeback in the job sector - our unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in 15 years, but that’s not enough. We need to redefine unemployment and the remainder of that unemployment number is filled with tons of potential.
We believe that everyone deserves a chance and Michigan can be a leader in implementing accommodations within the workplace to create an environment of inclusion for people of all abilities. This is the message and idea around the MI Hidden Talent effort.
MI Project SEARCH was invited to participate in the 2017 MI Hidden Talent Workshop. The Project SEARCH breakout session featured an overview from Susie Rutkowski, Co-Director highlighting the school to work transition model and training for young adults with disabilities. A panel representing business, education, and vocational rehabilitation answered questions about safety, support, and the benefits of preparing young adults for employment. Lisa Ouellette, VP of Human Resources for Beaumont Health (Troy and Grosse Pointe) and Rhonda Henning from Dow in Midland shared the benefits of hosting a Project SEARCH site at their organizations including having a trained pool of talent for employment opportunities. MSU Spartan business liaison, Connie Sung shared great stories about how Project SEARCH interns have learned to use campus transportation to get to their internship departments and how they fought over who would be assigned the animal care department until they realized it required animal clean-up!
MI Hidden Talent Workshop – Jim Abbott, Keynote Speaker
MI Hidden Talent Workshop – Randy Lewis, Retired VP Walgreens
