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Butler Tech is situated approximately 30 miles north of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is one of the largest career technical schools in the state. Made up of a team of passionate educators, we are committed to transforming lives by preparing our students for both careers and college. We proudly serve over 18,000 high school and adult education students daily across our five campuses and 11 associate school districts.
Our story begins in 2006 when Butler Tech embarked on a mission to ensure that quality career and technical education was accessible to all students in our Southwest Ohio region. When community stakeholders highlighted the need for better career tech opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we agreed and got to work. After evaluating a variety of programs, Butler Tech chose to replicate the Project SEARCH® program, marking the beginning of a successful collaboration with the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Project SEARCH team.
At the end of our first year of Project SEARCH, it became evident that some students needed additional time and development before exiting school services to seek competitive employment. Our team then identified the necessary attributes and skills needed for success in Project SEARCH, future inclusive employment, and adult life in general. This led to the development of Butler Tech’s Project LIFE program in 2007.
Project LIFE proved to be the answer for our students requiring additional time and support. As successful outcomes increased, so did the local demand for our transition programs. Over the next five years, Butler Tech added two additional Project SEARCH and 2 more Project LIFE programs resulting in a transition program continuum second to none.
Today, our comprehensive transition program continuum comprises four Project LIFE and three Project SEARCH programs, supporting 120 students annually on their journey towards a more independent and fulfilling adult life.
The combination of our skilled team of special education transition specialists and Butler Tech’s student-centered practices proved to be the recipe for success. With Butler Tech Project SEARCH programs consistently recognized for high employment outcomes, it soon became apparent to Project SEARCH administrators, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and our Butler Tech leadership team that the combination of both programs offered a valuable opportunity worth sharing.
With the belief that the most significant impact on youth arises from passion and collective expertise, Butler Tech initiated the process of trademarking their Project LIFE program for national replication in late 2017. Documented student growth and positive outcome data combined with ongoing feedback
from our replication teams continues to show that we are on the right trajectory.
Today, Project LIFE embodies over a decade of dedication and research from a highly qualified team of special education and transition professionals. Running our own district programs uniquely positions us to offer guidance and encouragement to the Project LIFE replication teams. Together, we are on a collective journey to address the transition-to-adulthood and employment needs of students and their families across the United States and other nations.
A program worth repeating in your community
Project LIFE is impacting lives coast-to-coast. Designed by a collaborative team of passionate educators, parents and rehabilitation professionals, this proven program is available for national replication. Bring Project LIFE to your community today!
