About Project Search

Project SEARCH is a business-led, one-year, school-to-work training program for young people with intellectual or communication disabilities. The main objective is to prepare students for employment with job skills training through a unique combination of classroom instruction and hands-on career training. This program takes place entirely at the workplace. The singular goal of Project SEARCH is competitive employment for every program graduate! What is ‘competitive employment’?

  • Integrated employment (co-workers with and without disabilities work alongside each other)
  • Year-round employment (not seasonal)
  • 20+ hours of work each week
  • Paid the prevailing wage

History of Project SEARCH

In 1996, Project SEARCH was launched at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre. Erin Riehle, the founder of Project SEARCH and Director of the Emergency Department at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, believed that since the hospital served individuals with developmental disabilities, it should also prioritize employing them in its workforce. She trained people with exceptionalities to work in high-turnover, entry level positions that involved complex and systematic tasks. Erin presented her ideas to Susie Rutkowski, the special education director at Great Oaks Career Campuses, and together they launched Project SEARCH.

Since its inception, Project SEARCH has grown from a single program site at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to a large and continuously expanding international network of sites. Currently, there are 800+ Project SEARCH sites worldwide. The program reports that approximately 70% of the Intern graduates find gainful employment.

Project SEARCH in Canada

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board began the fourth Project SEARCH program in Canada. Sites continue to grow throughout the country. To date, there are over 25 sites nationally,

Visit the links to learn more about Project SEARCH in Canada: projectsearchcanada.org and around the world: https://projectsearch.us/

Benefits of the Program

  • Participate in a variety of internships within the host business
  • Acquire competitive, transferable, and marketable job skills
  • Gain increased independence, confidence, and self-esteem
  • Obtain work based individualized coaching, instruction, and feedback
  • Develop linkages to Community Employment Service Providers and other adult service agencies
Student taking Inventory
Student in Mailroom