Play Recording (1:03 minutes)
The Project SEARCH program at Children’s Hospital Colorado is in its second year of implementing a robust health and wellness model which is an expansion of the existing Health Matters curriculum. Outcomes for this model are indicating behavior change that is sustainable as program participants are transitioning into employment, and ideally these healthy habits will continue throughout their lives. The backbone of this health and wellness model is the use of Fitbit devices for each student to track activity, inspire motivation, and spark friendly competition. This model explores adaptive recreation through a partnership with the campus wellness center to help students identify fitness interests while being mindful of each student’s unique athletic ability. Finally, through a partnership with our local grocery store, students have learned how to navigate grocery shopping with health in mind. Through use of the store’s online platform for home delivery, students have identified ways to access healthy foods. Participants will learn how to replicate this health model at their own Project SEARCH site. Additionally, participants will be given ideas on how to access local resources to help secure Fitbit devices and community partnerships within their own communities. Resources, tools, and templates will be provided to participants to support their implementation of the model.
Presenters: Claire Charles is the Business Liaison for Children’s Hospital Colorado, and has been in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 9 years. After receiving her education in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, Claire worked for Developmental Disabilities Resource Center as the Behavioral Health Team Coordinator and Behavior Specialist. Claire has served as the Business Liaison for Children’s Hospital Colorado for over 3 years, and is helping celebrate the hospital’s 10th year as a Project SEARCH host business.
Devan Curtis is the Project SEARCH Skills Trainer, Job Developer, and On-site Job Coach at Children’s Hospital, Colorado. She received her Bachelors in American Sign Language, English- Interpreting in 2015. Prior her current position, Devan served as a mentor to Project SEARCH interns at the Hilton- Garden Inn in Rochester, NY that established her career path.
Renee Salvi, Project SEARCH Instructor at Children’s Hospital Colorado: Renee Salvi has worked as a part of Project SEARCH for 6 wonderful years. She began with her first group of young adults as a skills trainer at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, TX. The following year, she became the Project SEARCH instructor at University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin and continued in this role for 4 years. During the 2018-19 school year, Renee remained in her capacity as an instructor, but moved to a Project SEARCH with more altitude: Project SEARCH at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora.