18-21 Programs
Project Search is a High School Transition Program that provides education and training to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Project SEARCH combines classroom time with a school year-long unpaid internship at Kootenai Health. This combination of instruction and immersion in the workplace setting thoroughly prepares interns to meet employer expectations.
In addition to classroom learning on employability and independent living skills, each student will spend four hours per day working in an internship. Project SEARCH students gain experience working in a variety of settings including: equipment transportation, nutrition services, housekeeping, child care, laundry, out-patient rehabilitation, central supply, transportation/courier services, patient units, and grounds.
Secondary Transition Education Program (STEP)
The Secondary Transition Education Program is a program for students with disabilities ages 18-21 who are receiving services through an Individual Education Plan. STEP is primarily designed for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and multiple disabilities.
Students who access STEP have completed their high school program and require additional time to work on key skills, such as independence, education, and employment. Our goal at STEP is to provide a variety of resources and activities in order to create a path of learning abilities. Students spend time working in a classroom-type environment combined with outings into the community.
Activities, learning tasks, and community outings are focused on functional academic, interpersonal, independent living, and self-advocacy skills. Students are eligible to receive services through the semester in which they turn 21; however, plans are designed based on students' needs and work toward transitioning them to their next step in life.