On Tuesday May 30th, the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) hosted a banquet to honor the successful completion of the second year of Project SEARCH Bucks (County). This internship program is for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities providing them employment experiences through a total immersion in the workplace. For the second year, the County of Bucks Administrative Offices and Justice Center have been the host business location for the program with their many divisions and offices providing the students a wide variety of work experiences from technology services to clerical to building maintenance.
Dr. Mark Hoffman, Executive Director of the Bucks IU, expressed appreciation to the representatives in attendance from Bucks County Government, stating, “This partnership between the Bucks County Intermediate Unit and the County of Bucks has resulted in success for interns from across Bucks County. Project SEARCH represents the power that comes from working together. Our interns have benefited from these experiences, and I know that our partners from the County have benefited as well. This is a partnership that should be replicated statewide.”
Additional supports and guidance for Project SEARCH Bucks are provided by the Bucks County Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Programs and the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).
The banquet, held at The Bucks Club in Jamison Pennsylvania, included speeches by Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia and the Director of Developmental Services for OVR, Kathleen Brown. Jack Bancroft presented a speech on his personal student intern experience with Project SEARCH Bucks. Other student interns ended the evening with their personal thanks to their mentors from the various offices in which they were able to have work experiences.
The 2022–2023 Project SEARCH Student Interns:
- Jack Bancroft – Central Bucks School District
- Adam Bean – Quakertown Community School District
- William Blaikie – Central Bucks School District
- Justin Harris – Pennridge School District
- Miles Manchester – Palisades School District
- Vadim Prater – Lower Moreland Township School District (not pictured)
- Jacob Rosenberg – New Hope-Solebury School District
- Michael Twiname – North Penn School District
- Alex Wood – Central Bucks School District
Project SEARCH Bucks was honored to have several County of Bucks elected officials in attendance, all of who’s departments or offices supported the interns this past year. Thanks go out to Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW; Commissioner Robert J. Harvie Jr.; Linda Bobrin, Register of Wills; Coleen Christian, Prothonotary; Margaret McKevitt, Acting Chief Operating Officer; and Dan McPhillips, Recorder of Deeds.
The Bucks IU Board of School Directors also showed their support of the students and program. Dr. Mark Hoffman, Executive Director was joined by John D’Angelo, Board President, and Board Members Megan Banis-Clemens, Debra Cannon, and Shelley Eilenberg.
Details on Project SEARCH Bucks can be found at https://www.bucksiu.org/child-student-services/transition-services-and-programs. Additional questions may be directed to Lorie McCrory, Bucks IU Manager Post-Secondary and Adult Programs and Services, at LMcCrory@BucksIU.org.