Meaningful Community Services CORE Foundations at Kennedy Krieger InstituteProject SEARCH at Kennedy Krieger Institute

  Meaningful Community Services at Kennedy Krieger Institute helps individuals with disabilities obtain and maintain meaningful employment and community engagement through a person-centered approach. Meaningful Community Services include, Project SEARCH, CORE Foundations and CORE Foundations Community Programming. Project SEARCH is a 10-month, transition to work program for individuals 18 through 24 years of age that provides hands-on job training through integrated worksite rotations, career exploration, innovative adaptations and mentoring from experienced staff. Project SEARCH is a non-paid internship that provides interns the opportunity to learn employability skills while participating in a variety of workplace experiences. Each intern participates in three internship rotations, each lasting 10 weeks; the interns work with their department mentors and supervisors to complete a variety of daily tasks. During daily professional development, the interns work with Project SEARCH staff members to enhance their employability and independent living skills. Daily professional development topics include workplace safety, self-advocacy, financial literacy and health/wellness. Upon program completion, the ultimate goal is for interns to utilize their internships skills to gain competitive employment. CORE Foundations provides individuals of all abilities with the opportunity and education to continue developing core skills that are the foundation for a successful adult life. We create a customized program in partnership with each individual to support their independence. The person-centered approach requires an individualized plan, a daily schedule and goals. CORE Foundations is a certified and licensed Developmental Disabilities Administration adult provider for the state of Maryland and a community-based program serving 7 Maryland counties. CORE Foundations provides employment services through the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). Services provided are Community Development Services, Employment Services, and Behavioral Services. Meaningful Community Services pivoted to Virtual Support Services to continue to provide innovative, person-centered, engaging services to individuals with disabilities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual Support Services are interactive sessions, designed to support an individual in achieving personal goals related to independent living, job development, community engagement, health and wellness, remote internships and communication skills. Individuals are paired with one of our qualified and trained Employment Training Specialist or Community Development Specialist.