Every year, we welcome a new group of interns through Texas Children’s Health Plan’s partnership with Project SEARCH. The program offers young adults with disabilities the opportunity to learn valuable work skills to set them on a path to career success.
As we near graduation for this year’s interns, for Antoine Howard and Deveante Williams, the journey is just beginning as they have secured full-time positions at Texas Children’s. They were both commended and recognized for their superior efforts in attendance, dedication and determination to successfully perform their essential duties. They are currently onboarding and will begin work as unit support assistants in the Facilities department upon graduating from Project SEARCH.
“Project SEARCH taught me I can achieve whatever is placed in front of me,” said Williams. “Sometimes the job seemed hard, but Project SEARCH gave me confidence I needed to work harder to complete my tasks. I will miss every part of the program, but I am thankful that I was offered a job doing something that I’m good at.”
All program participants are immersed in the workplace during the nine-month program and have the same expectations on them as current employees. They work with a team, including a TCHP business liaison, Houston ISD instructor and teacher’s assistant, skills trainer, and local and state agencies to create an employment goal. Guided by department mentors, all interns participate in three internships as they explore a variety of career paths.
Howard and Williams, along with Tommy Dorsey, Mallane Livingston and Spencer Guhl rotated through different areas of the business, including TCHP Centers for Children & Women, Medical Affairs, Administration, and TCH Facilities, Gift Shop and Autism Center. They assisted with administrative duties, such as scanning, sorting, filing, MyChart registration, patient wayfinding, retail tasks within TCH gift shops and data entry.
“The best part of Project SEARCH is witnessing each intern’s progress throughout their internship. We get to assist young adults navigate their first steps into the workforce and individually guide each student to identify their career goals and endless possibilities,” said Shamera Beckham, education and training coordinator, Medical Affairs, TCHP. “Interns not only walk away with employability skills, but leave with increased social skills, self-esteem, independence and confidence.”
The Project SEARCH partnership began at TCHP in 2016 as part of an ongoing cultural competency strategy. We aim to create a healthier future for people with disabilities in our global community by leading in education, care coordination and advocacy through partnerships. The program gives our system access to a new, diverse group of talent with skills that match our labor needs, while also bridging the employment gap for individuals with disabilities.
The program continues to expand across the system, with Texas Children’s Pediatrics and Specialty Clinics scheduled for the 2023-24 school year. If your department is interested in supporting an intern, please contact Shamera Beckham.