GISD Announces “Signing Day” for Project SEARCH® Site
FLINT – The Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) Special Education team has announced the 3rd Annual “Signing Day” event for its Project SEARCH® site in partnership with Genesee County Parks. This celebration highlights a collaborative effort to support students with disabilities as they transition from school to the workforce.
The event will take place at Crossroads Village and mark the formal commitment of students from GISD’s Special Education Transition Center as they prepare to begin internships through the Project SEARCH® program.
WHAT: Project SEARCH® “Signing Day” Celebration
WHEN: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Crossroads Village, 6140 N. Bray Road, Flint, MI 48505
WELCOME: Jan K. Cox, Transition Center Principal, Genesee Intermediate School District
SPEAKERS: Steven Polega, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education, GISD; Dr. Steven Tunnicliff, Ph.D., Superintendent, GISD; and Patrick Linihan, Director, Genesee County Parks
Project SEARCH® is a nationally recognized program designed to enhance job readiness, social skills and employment outcomes for young adults ages 18-26 with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). The primary goal of the program is to secure competitive, integrated employment for individuals with disabilities.
Through this local partnership, students will receive hands-on training and real-world work experience at Genesee County Parks locations including For-Mar Nature Preserve, Crossroads Village, and Keep Genesee County Beautiful. Upon completion of the program, each participant will graduate with a certificate of completion at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
“Genesee County Parks share our vision where individuals with disabilities can be productive and employed in our communities through the support and training that our special education team provides to the interns and the host businesses,” said Jan Cox, Principal at the GISD Transition Center.
Project SEARCH® has established over 785 program sites globally, including 14 across Michigan. The program boasts a 75% employment outcome rate nationally and remains a powerful model for creating inclusive, skill-building opportunities for students with disabilities.
For more information about Project SEARCH®, contact Jan Cox at jkcox@geneseeisd.org or call (810) 591-5018.
