Te Whatu Ora Project SEARCH
Jacqui Lunday Johnstone1 1Te Whatu Ora Waitaha, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Abstract
Project SEARCH is a one year programme for young people with disabilities aged between 18 – 21, who are in their last year of secondary school that provides young people with a disability the skills they need to enter the workforce with confidence.
Designed to break down barriers to employment, the programme sees each intern work across three 10-week placements to explore a variety of career paths. Interns are provided practical hands-on training, education, and career development as well as comprehensive support throughout the programme.
Project SEARCH originated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre and is the first in New Zealand. The project is now across allied health in Older Persons Health and Rehab and Child Development Services.
Interns work with a team that includes their family, their Project SEARCH skills trainer and tutor, job coach/developer and other partners to create an employment goal and support the student during this important transition from school to work. The goal of Project SEARCH is competitive employment for each intern utilising the skills they learned during the programme.
The introduction of young people with disabilities has supported a dramatic change in culture towards inclusion, diversity and belonging. It has been tremendous achievement for the 35 young interns and their whānau, and for the families of children in our service it has shown we can walk our talk.
Biography
Jacqui is a strategic allied health leader who has been based in New Zealand for the last 5 years. She has a track record of significant system transformation and value-based healthcare improvement.
Her experience spans the public and private healthcare systems in Scotland including 16 years as the Chief Allied Health Officer in Scottish Government and technical advisor the WHO. In 2015 Jacqui was made a member of the Order of the British Empire for services to healthcare and the health care professions.