Aug 14
4
Central Peninsula Hospital receives KPBSD Golden Apple award
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | August 4, 2014
Central Peninsula Hospital, Community Partner
KPBSD recognizes the dedication and contribution Central Peninsula Hospital makes with their commitment and partnership as the host business for the Central Peninsula Project SEARCH program. Project SEARCH is an intensive internship program for eighteen to twenty-two year olds, with disabilities, to learn targeted job skills in order to successfully apply for and earn a job within the community. In order to be successful, the host business must understand the requirements of the program and the needs of the young adults. The hospital staff is not only understanding of these aspects, but they are dedicated to helping the interns to learn job skills. It all starts at the top with the directors of the departments taking a risk to have an intern work within their department. From there, the departments’ job mentors dedicate their time to ensuring success for all. In addition, every member of the hospital staff who interacts positively with interns and provides feedback to assist their learning is a part of their success.
Hospital staff who participate with the program, as a director or job mentor, have dedicated countless hours to these young adults. Not only are the job mentors performing the duties of their own jobs within the hospital, but they are essentially training a new employee three times a year, collaborating with KPBSD teaching staff, and mentoring young minds! The department directors and job mentors know and care for the interns by the end of their fully immersed ten week rotation. They are involved in the Open House at the beginning of the year, and the completion ceremony at the end of the year. They are with the interns every day helping them to become honest, hard-working citizens.
Evidence of the success of the hospital staff is the fact that for the past two school years the program has been in operation, 100% of interns successfully applied for and received positions within the community–two of whom have remained working for Central Peninsula Hospital! The hospital staff has consistently provided strong support, dedication, and contributions to the learning of KPBSD interns. Without their support, the central peninsula would not have a Project SEARCH program.
Specific members of the Central Peninsula Hospital staff who have taken these steps and risks with Project SEARCH include:
- Mr. Rick Davis, CEO: Mr. Davis took the risk of starting this program and partnership.
- Mr. John Dodd, Vice President of Human Resources has been an advisory committee member and part of the planning process for two years prior to the start of the program during the 2012-2013 school year. Mr. Dodd has provided guidance and structure for the committee and the interns.
- Mr. Jim Childers, Business Liaison just completed his first year with Project SEARCH. His motivation, dedication and desire to help the interns is infectious! He is truly a valued member of the Project SEARCH team.
- Craig Ashley, Patty Brantley, Shanda Hall, Sean Harris, Cindi Irwin, Jeff McGee, Shayne Pond, Kristie Sellers, and Alan Thye are the department directors who have dedicated staff within their departments to work with the interns. These directors know the time it takes to train an effective employee and have provided the resources for Project SEARCH.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Central Peninsula Hospital for their dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Link: Golden Apple certificate
