Narrative: q. 1.

DVR is considering an IGA with Developmental Disabilities Services Division in PY19 to utilize

the Title VI Youth SE funds of $122,250 toward providing long-term supports for employed SE

youth not on the New Mexico Medicaid waiver. These funds may be utilized up to 4 years to

provide on-the-job long-term supports to SE youth as a stop gap for those waiting on the NM

Waiver, which currently has an estimated wait time of 8 to 10 years. NM is considering, where

appropriate, to utilize these funds to provide up to 2 years of on the job supports for Project

Search graduates with a job.

Intergovernmental agreements with the Center for Developmental Disabilities continue in

support of Partners for Employment initiatives and Project Search.

Partners for Employment is identified as the statewide entity to oversee and manage a variety

of Supported Employment Programs. This program is intended to provide expertise, training

and support toward enhanced Supported Employment services. New Mexico Division of

Vocational Rehabilitation is working in collaboration with the founders of Project Search out of

Cincinnati, Ohio to expand services statewide with a focus on rural areas throughout the state.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), University of New Mexico Center for

Development and Disability (UNM/CDD), UNM Hospital, Department of Health Developmental

Disabilities Supports Division (DOH/DDSD, Best Buddies, Adelante, Empowerment, Albuquerque

Public Schools, Rio Rancho Public Schools, Gallup McKinley schools, Office of Special Education

and Rehab Services (OSERS) and Project Search founders have given approval to replicate this

program in New Mexico. Additional Project search sites are being developed and this program’s

expansion is expected to continue in State PY 2019.

Update April, 2022:

DDSD is actively working on removing and serving everyone on their waitlist before SFY2025, we anticipate being able to use all our youth funding in SFY 23. These funds can be utilized up to 4 years to provide on the job long term supports to SE youth as a stop gap for those waiting on the NM Waiver. 

Intergovernmental agreements with the Center for Developmental Disabilities continue in support of Partners for Employment initiatives and Project Search. 

 Partners for Employment is identified as the statewide entity to oversee and manage a variety of Supported Employment Programs. This program is intended to provide expertise, training and support toward enhanced Supported Employment services. New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is working in collaboration with the founders of Project Search out of Cincinnati, Ohio to expand services statewide with a focus on rural areas throughout the state. 

Additionally, DVR is in discussions regarding the development of a Youth/Adult Project Search site to utilize all Title VI–B funds. 

 The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability (UNM/CDD), UNM Hospital, Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DOH/DDSD, Best Buddies, Adelante, Empowerment, Albuquerque Public Schools, Rio Rancho Public Schools, Gallup McKinley schools, Office of Special Education and Rehab Services (OSERS) and Project Search founders have given approval to replicate this program in New Mexico. Additional Project search sites are being developed and this program’s expansion is expected to continue. . Project Search is in its eighth year of achieving successful employment outcomes for Transition youth that are eligible to receive Supported Employment services. The UNMH Project SEARCH program was the first Project SEARCH site in the state and continues to provide successful placement to students with disabilities. UNM hospitals has graduated 55 interns with 30 employed in an integrated setting earning minimum wage or above. The UNMH Project SEARCH program was the first Project SEARCH site in the state, and its initial cohort of interns was highly successful, placing all interns who graduated into competitive employment by the end of the program year, and earning the prestigious 90-99% Employment Placement Award from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Project Search National. The collaborating team consists of UNMH Hospitals, Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Transition Services, Best Buddies NM, NM Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), NM Department of Health/Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD), and UNM Center for Development & Disability Partners for Employment (UNM CDD PFE). On May 2, 2017, the program was renamed The Nene & Jamie Koch Project SEARCH Training Program at UNM Hospital, in honor of Former UNM Regent Jamie Koch, who was instrumental in launching project SEARCH in New Mexico. 
 
Hilton Garden Inn Gallup is completing its sixth Project Search year, 28 students have graduated with 19 employed in an integrated setting earning minimum wage. The Hilton Garden Inn-Gallup collaboration is unique that includes Nation Office of Special Education & Rehabilitation Services (OSERS). A national award for placing 100 % interns during the 20-21 school year will be accepted during the summer of 2022. (100%Placement Award from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Project Search National). 
 
Embassy Suites is New Mexico’s first replication site a sister site with UNM Hospitals. It’s beginning its sixth program year, 33 interns graduated from the program with 28 being placed within the community earning at or above minimum wage. A national award for placing 100% of their interns was received in 18th-19th school year. 
 
Presbyterian Rust Medical Center (Rio Rancho) is completing its 6th Project Search year, 42 have graduated successfully, with 31 employed in an integrated setting earning minimum wage or above. This Project Search site also was the first site in NM to achieve 100 % employment Placement Award in 2017-2018 school year and have received their second national award for 100% placement during 2018 -2019 school year. This year they are on target to achieve 75% placement for 20-21 school year. 
     
Good Samaritan Society – Las Cruces Village, in collaboration with Gadsden Independent School District is in its 5th year. In its 1st program year, Good Samaritan site graduated 10 interns 8 graduates were successfully employed. Interns at this site travel over 45 minutes each way to participate in the program, with collaboration of community legislatures and community transportation company’s transportation is provided for the community and participants in project search to get from surrounding communities to Las Cruces. In 2020-2021 due to COVID the program was moved to Gadsden school district, where they continue to provide skills training to students. In the past five years 25 students have graduated, with 9 employed in an integrated setting earning minimum wage or above. 
 
City of Farmington Municipal Services in collaboration with Farmington Schools, Aztec Schools, is completing its 4th year of project search, 15 interns graduated successfully with 8 employed in an integrated setting earning minimum wage or above. In 20-21 due to COVID the program has had to move locations for internships within the community and school district. 
 
The Pueblo of Pojoaque, in collaboration with Santa Fe Public Schools, Pojoaque Schools, and Community Options has been placed on a hold for the school year 2021-2022. The program is working with community providers to restart the program in school year 2022-2023. 
 
Holloman Air Force Base in collaboration with Alamogordo Public Schools will be completing its’ first year 2021-2022. This is the first military base of project search in NM. Currently they five interns enrolled and are learning skills in hospitality, customer service, stocking & inventory, and retail sales. The goal is for 70% to be placed in competitive employment working minimum of 16 hours.