In this episode, we focus on "Spartan Project Search." This is a joint project between Michigan State University, Ingham Intermediate School District, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Community Mental Health, and Peckham Inc. A short description of Spartan Project Search from the website is below:

"Spartan Project SEARCH’s inaugural year started in Fall 2016 at Michigan State University as a partnership with Ingham Intermediate School District, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Community Mental Health, and Peckham Inc.

"Spartan Project SEARCH brings a successful international program for young adults with developmental disabilities to the campus of Michigan State University, one of 12 program sites starting in Michigan.

This Secondary Transition program combines classroom time provided by Ingham Intermediate School District with a year-long unpaid internship at Michigan State University. Participants gain experience in a variety of settings that will align to their interests, abilities and availability."Source: MSU https://www.canr.msu.edu/spartanprojectsearch/who-we-are/who-we-are

The Spartan Project Search is part of a larger "Project Search" Initiative that focuses on Competitive Integrative Employment for High School Students with disabilities. https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/careers/diverse-workforce/project-search

In this episode, we talk to: Justine Bond: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at State of MichiganKatheryn Long: Michigan Rehabilitation ServicesAlana Anderson: Ingham Intermediate School DistrictBrooke Locher: Ingham Intermediate School DistrictBenjamin Darling: Michigan State University, AgBioResearch

This podcast is the second of a series of podcasts our team is doing on Academia/State partnerships focused on disability employment.

The Abilities, Opportunities and Future of Work Podcast is co-produced by the Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) and the Eli Broad College of Business with the objective of providing an opportunity to showcase best-in-class practices on burning issues related to how workforce with disabilities can be integrated highlighting firms, community organizations, not-for-profits and other state organizations that are doing outstanding work in integrating individuals with disabilities into the workforce and allow them to share their “stories.” The Podcast aims to fill the gap on democratizing best-in-class practices with the broader disability community that can help facilitate employment of individuals with disabilities, This is the first episode of a two-part episode. Please share your thoughts and comments at [email protected]. This is a voluntary effort.