Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, our partner in the Project SEARCH program, was recently recognized by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Blind Services, and Vocational Rehabilitation with an Exceptional Employer Award during the 14th annual celebration held at Tallahassee City Hall as part of Disability Employment Awareness Month. employU’s Transition Youth Program Director, Lindy Sinka, accepted the award on their behalf. We are so proud to have such a strong advocate as a partner for our youth in Florida.

The Exceptional Employer Awards are presented to companies that have a strong commitment to employing and retaining people with unique abilities. Cleveland Clinic Martin Health received this award because of their participation in the Project SEARCH Transition to Work program where they partnered with employU and St. Lucie County Public Schools. The program is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program that takes place entirely at the workplace, in this case at the Cleveland Clinic facility in Martin County. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations. The program culminates in individualized job development. During the Project SEARCH 2018-2019 school year, 10 students participated in this program and four students were hired on permanently to work for the clinic.

Photo left to right: Valerie Breen, Developmental Disabilities Council Director, Lindy Sinka, employU Transition Youth Program Director, Keith Bourkney, employU Executive Director