Project Search
Creating Pathways To Meaningful Work.
The Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations. The program culminates in individualized job development.
Who We Are
Project SEARCH was developed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, a research environment that fosters visionary thinking and innovation. It all began in 1996, when Erin Riehle was Director of Cincinnati Children’s Emergency Department. Erin felt that, because the hospital served individuals with developmental disabilities, it made sense that they should commit to hiring people in this group. She wondered if it would be possible to train people with developmental disabilities to fill some of the high- turnover, entry-level positions in her department, which involved complex and systematic tasks such as stocking supply cabinets. As a starting point, Erin presented her ideas to Susie Rutkowski, then the special education director at Great Oaks Career Campuses. Erin and Susie formed a partnership that was instantaneous, and together they launched Project SEARCH.
Since its inception, Project SEARCH has grown from a single program site at Cincinnati Children’s to a large and continuously expanding international network of sites. Project SEARCH’s primary objective is to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities.
We look forward to seeing you at our 2024 17th Annual Conference at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Your Project SEARCH National Team is planning a great week full of learning, continuous improvement for your program, and fun networking events!
The conference will include a Tuesday Pre-conference with all-day session options, an evening award ceremony, a general session featuring the annual “State of Project SEARCH” address, statewide meetings, and over 100 breakout sessions. We will also be treating conference attendees to a Wednesday evening event with food and fun in the city of Albuquerque, NM.
