Holy Name Press Releases

Bergen County Announces Partnership

With HackensackUMC, Holy Name for Project SEARCH

February 29, 2016

The County of Bergen today announced that it has established a partnership with two area hospitals, Hackensack University Medical Center (HackensackUMC) and Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, for Project SEARCH. This partnership, the first of its kind in the state, provides job training for individuals with disabilities, giving them portable and marketable skills that can be transferred to a host of employment opportunities.

Project SEARCH is targeted at 20-year old students and provides real-life work experience and hands-on extensive training for individuals with disabilities. It seeks to transition those students from school to adult life with internships that provide vital job training and skill development. Students will attend the program in one of the host hospitals for a full school year, initially undergoing employee orientation and skill assessment, and developing a career plan which guides the process. Throughout the school year they will receive an employment skills classroom curriculum, combined with several internship experiences at the host business focused on developing competitive and marketable skills in their targeted fields.

The program is administered by the Bergen County Workforce Development Board (WDB) in partnership with a number of agencies: the County of Bergen, the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVR), the New Jersey Department of Developmental Disabilities, Holy Name Medical Center, and HackensackUMC. In addition, the Bergen County Special Services School district will be the lead school agency and student applications will be accepted from throughout the County of Bergen. County Executive James J. Tedesco and the Bergen County Freeholders kick-started this project in 2015 with an allocation of $30,000 to the implementation of Project SEARCH, which along with the generosity and confidence of the DVR helped expand the pilot program from one area hospital to two, allowing 24 young adults to benefit from this training.

"We know how challenging the post-21 landscape is. When students turn 21 and age out of the school system we know the difficulty that families face in preparing their loved ones for life after graduation," said Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco. "This program will open doors and expand the range of possibilities for both students and employers. We are so grateful to Hackensack, Holy Name, and everyone who came together to make this program a reality."

Statistics show that state-wide, the employment rate for individuals with disabilities is less than 40%, while Project SEARCH boasts a 73% employment rate. Freeholder Vice-Chairwoman Tracy Zur, who spearheaded the program at the County of Bergen, was quick to point out that the benefits extend beyond just the individuals in the program.

"While the goal is competitive employment for each of the participants, one of the most important side effects is the long-term change in business culture that has far-reaching positive effects about hiring people with disabilities and expanding the vision for the range of jobs in which they can be successful," said Zur. "This puts the emphasis on someone’s abilities rather than their disabilities. As two of the largest employers in the County take this step, Holy Name and HackensackUMC are really recognizing the tremendous contributions that people with different abilities can make. This is not charity—it is good business."

Both Robert C. Garrett, President and CEO of Hackensack University Health Network and Michael Maron, CEO of Holy Name Medical Center, both stressed that the Project SEARCH partnership was an extension of the core missions of both hospitals.

"HackensackUMC is proud to partner with Project SEARCH in New Jersey," said Garrett. "We have always been committed to providing a welcoming environment in which to work, visit, and receive care. Everyone regardless of race, gender, creed, or disability has an important role to play here on our campus, and we are excited to welcome the first group of students through Project SEARCH."

"Holy Name is pleased to partner with Bergen County on this first-of-its-kind project in New Jersey," said Maron. "County Executive Tedesco and Freeholder Zur are true leaders in recognizing the unique needs of county residents and this program will provide meaningful training to ensure better lives, something we try to do every day at Holy Name."

"The Bergen County Workforce Development Board is continually searching to advance innovative collaborations and business-led solutions that address workforce challenges," added Tammy Molinelli, Executive Director of the WDB. "Project SEARCH presents a unique opportunity for us to partner with business, education, and vocational rehabilitation, to provide young adults with disabilities the training they need to gain and maintain long-term employment."

Officials indicated that the partnership has already been well received by businesses, especially with the Residence Inn Marriott Saddle River, who offered to host two of the required technical assistance workshops for Project SEARCH.

Interested participants will soon have the opportunity to apply to the process, and notice of open applications will be going out to school superintendents and special education directors. Officials recommend that those interested in applying should bring up Project SEARCH at their next Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting.