The Spartan Project SEARCH team recently welcomed a special visitor to their Michigan State University site—Kristi James, Chief of Staff for State Senator Sarah Anthony. Her visit offered an inside look at the powerful work happening through this immersive program, which equips young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build employment skills and pursue competitive job opportunities.
Hosted in partnership with Ingham Intermediate School District, Project SEARCH is part of a statewide network of internship sites that offer real-world, career-focused training in inclusive settings. During her visit, Kristi met with interns to learn about their daily experiences, challenges, and achievements. Interns proudly shared stories of growth, described the workplace skills they’ve gained, and expressed their career goals moving forward.
The visit also prompted meaningful discussion about ways to support future cohorts, reduce barriers, and strengthen the pipeline from training to employment. Interns and staff expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect directly with a policymaker and share how programs like Project SEARCH are changing lives.
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When school leaders work together, student voices grow stronger. Representatives from Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, and Shiawassee Counties recently gathered through the CARES Collaborative to meet with legislative officials and discuss education priorities, school funding, and the future of public education across the region. The CARES Collaborative—Capital Area Regional Education Strategy—was formed to strengthen regional advocacy efforts and ensure schools have a stronger, more unified voice in policy conversations.
Government can feel distant when you only read about it in textbooks. But for students in Spartan Project SEARCH, a recent visit to the Michigan Capitol turned civic learning into a real-world experience. From meeting with State Senator Sarah Anthony to observing activity inside the Senate chamber, students gained a firsthand look at the many people and moving parts that help serve communities across Michigan.
