Canutillo ISD and The Hospitals of Providence - Transmountain Campus have joined forces to offer a group of Canutillo High School (CHS) special-education students an opportunity to gain real-world work experience as they prepare to graduate this coming spring.
The cohort of seniors will participate in a year-long internship program known as Project Search, which assists students with disabilities in their last year of high school to acquire training and skills that successfully transition them from the classroom to the workforce.
“We are very pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to our students,” said CHS Principal Candice Marrufo. “We not only hope for this group of students to learn new skills that can prepare them for employment once they graduate but also build their confidence and independence.”
The CHS students will be working on-site at the hospital in various departments with guidance from a special education teacher and one to three skills trainers to meet the educational and training needs of the interns.
“Our job as educators is to ensure that every child in our District has the opportunity and potential for success once they go out into the world,” said Superintendent Dr. Pedro Galaviz. “Project Search allows our special-education students to get a taste of being in the workforce and adequately prepares them to thrive in a professional environment. The group is excited and proud to take on their new roles at the hospital.”