Medical and health centers like Mercy Health – Lorain have also resumed classes, according to a news release.

Mercy Health – Lorain welcomed the 2023 Project SEARCH class for the week starting August 21, the release said.

According to the release, Project SEARCH is a program that gives high school students with disabilities the opportunity to receive workplace training through fully immersive training in the workplace.

Interns begin their year with classroom instruction and training before beginning an internship rotation within a hospital environment.

According to the release, this will give them the chance to experience real work in hopes of preparing and assisting them with a fulfilling and productive career after high school.

It is aimed at students whose primary goal is competitive employment.

This program builds the job-specific essential and employability skills needed to gain and retain meaningful employment, lead productive lives, and integrate into the adult work environment.

The program integrates career exploration with a range of field experiences, skill levels, and associated coursework.

Both intensive classroom and skills training take place in an employment environment through this unique employer-led training program.

Mercy Health – Lorain is working with multiple community partners to facilitate the Project SEARCH program, the release said.

Community partners include Lorraine County’s Educational Services Center and Greater Cleveland’s UCP.

Since its launch in August 2012, more than 81% of Mercy Health interns have found a job within a year of graduation, according to the release. Some of them were hired for roles within the health care system.