Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH is an innovative, total immersion program that defies traditional expectations and empowers young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to secure competitive employment. This national program focuses on serving young adults who can benefit from personalized support during an intensive academic year of career development and internship experience.
Since the program began, Project SEARCH has helped over 55,000 young people across the country develop the skills and confidence they need for success in the workplace. Originally started as a single program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in 1996, Project SEARCH has grown into a national, comprehensive work-study program. Through a unique combination of classroom instruction covering employability curriculum, hands-on training in the workplace, and individualized skill building, Project SEARCH has given its young adult interns job readiness.
Upson Regional Medical Center (URMC) is proud to partner with Thomaston-Upson Schools to host the Project SEARCH program. The 2024-2025 class of Project SEARCH interns saw an 80% employment success rate following graduation from the program!
While employment after completing the program is not a guarantee, the skills learned while interning at URMC are transferable to various businesses and industries within Thomaston and surrounding communities. Graduates have found employment success as cashiers, utility aids, file clerks, cart attendants, baggers and stockers, and bakery workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Project SEARCH?
- Prepares young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for success in competitive, integrated employment
- Business-focused transition program
- Evidence-based best practice
- Rigorous model fidelity and processes
How does Project SEARCH work?
Project SEARCH is distinctive in that interns experience:
- Total immersion in the workplace for a full academic year
- Unique employability curriculum
- Relevant skills that are transferable to in-demand community employment
- Individualized skill building and employment planning
- Interagency collaboration for seamless transitions and best employment outcomes
- Three internship rotations within URMC for employment readiness and career exploration
What are the benefits to participants?
By the end of their year-long internship, participants will have:
- Acquired competitive, transferable, and marketable skills
- Gained increased confidence and self-esteem
- Obtained individualized skills training, instruction, and feedback
- Developed linkages to Vocational Rehabilitation and other service agencies
What are the requirements to participate?
- Students must have an IEP. (Can even be for speech only.)
- Students must be 17 years or older.
- Students should have completed all their high school course
- requirements by August of the internship year.
- Students must meet eligibility requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation.
- Students will accept their diplomas at the end of Project SEARCH.
- Students should have acceptable attendance.
- Students should have independent daily living skills.
- Students should have independent personal hygiene and grooming skills.
- Students should have the ability to perform tasks independently (once trained).
- Students should be able to maintain appropriate behavior and social skills in the workplace.
- Students should be able to take directions from supervisors and change behavior when needed.
- Students should have up-to-date immunizations.
- Students should have effective communication skills of some kind.
- Students should have family support and plan to work competitively in the community at the conclusion of the Project SEARCH program.
- Interns must have a state-issued ID and Social Security card.
- Students must pass both a drug test and a background check to remain in the program.
How long does the program last?
The program mirrors the Thomaston-Upson School year calendar. Students participate for up to one school year.
Are interns paid?
Interns are not paid as this is a learning experience, similar to dual enrollment. While there are no educational credits eared, students are learning valuable, transferable work skills that can be utilized in most industries.
How many hours a week do interns work?
Interns are onsite for classroom and worksite exposure for the same hours as a regular school day.
How do I sign my child up?
For students currently enrolled in Thomaston-Upson Schools, students must have an IEP and be recommended by their teacher or school counselor. For young adults interested in the program, they must have had an IEP while they were enrolled in Thomaston-Upson Schools.
All prospective interns must complete a skills assessment to be considered for the program.
Parents or guardians of high school students who would like for their child to participate should contact either their child’s school counselor, ECS Director of Thomaston-Upson Schools Jenna Dunaway at jdunaway@upson.k12.ga.us, or their case manager.
For young adults interested in Project SEARCH, please contact Project SEARCH Instructor Wanda Thompson at wthompson@upson.k12.ga.us.
Additional questions can be directed to Upson Regional Medical Center’s Human Resources Department at humanresourcesdepartment@urmc.org.
