Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Winter 2019

A new group of interns is baking cookies, filing papers, folding laundry, making beds, sorting out supplies and greeting patients at Bartlett Regional Hospital. An international program for young adults with cognitive disabilities that made its way to Juneau is making it happen. Project SEARCH is a joint effort between the Juneau School District (JSD); REACH, Inc.; Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development; and the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education. It is funded by the Alaska Mental Health Trust. Seven young adults are working on the Bartlett campus for the 2018–2019 school year. “It’s amazing to see the pride in their work abilities and sense of fulfillment,” says Megan Hinton, who works with special education for the JSD. They are also building resilience in a professional setting. “This isn’t just hanging out at school all day,” she adds. Interns work 20 hours per week, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They show up for an 8 a.m. meeting with mentors and participate in a group debrief at the end of their work day. A new path to employment Project SEARCH interns 2018–2019 10 House Calls Winter 2019