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Project Search

Project SEARCH is a program that provides applicable and functional job skills to high school seniors with intellectual or developmental disabilities to gain meaningful employment. Project SEARCH is an international program that was developed at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. In Indiana, the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) administers Project SEARCH. There are several Project SEARCH sites across Indiana with each site partnering with the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, a host business, an affiliated school district(s), and a community service provider.

Students attend the program for a full school year in the host business, which provides access to an on-site classroom that can accommodate up to 12 students. Students work with mentors and educators to learn about workplace expectations and professionalism. Through a series of three targeted internships, students acquire competitive, marketable and transferable skills that enable them to apply for a related position.

Students also build communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to promote their overall development as young workers. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, students receive a Career Portfolio containing a resume, letters of recommendation, a competency profile, and any awards or special recognition received while in the program.

Project SEARCH serves students with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. Typically, these are students who are on an Individual Education Program (IEP) and in their last year of high school eligibility. The most important criterion for acceptance into Project SEARCH is a desire to achieve competitive employment.

Visit the Project Search webpage to find your local Project SEARCH location or contact the Project SEARCH Statewide Coordinator at (812) 855-0741 or Project SEARCH State Business Liaison, Ted Williams (ted.williams@fssa.IN.gov), to find out more about this great program.