Project SEARCH is a national program started in Cincinnati, Ohio that has been in existence since 1991. To date, there are over 600 Project SEARCH sites in existence in 42 states in the U.S., England, Scotland, Ireland and Canada. Project SEARCH is a unique, business-led, one-year, work program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Project SEARCH is an international, trademarked and copyrighted program model.
For more information on the national project SEARCH program, please visit their website.
“Preparing young people with significant disabilities for success in competitive integrated employment”
PAEP currently partners with Northwestern Medicine, the business host site for three Project SEARCH locations:
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Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL
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Delnor Hospital in Geneva, IL
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Huntley Hospital in Huntley, IL
Program Schedule
Three unique programs provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate in three, 10-week long internships that allow them to gain real-life vocational skills in a variety of hospital departments. At the completion of the internships, students are placed into competitive employment. PAEP staff specializes in helping students/interns develop job skills throughout the year and supports the students/interns every day on site at the hospital and support the students/interns once the school year is completed and the students/interns are employed.
The programs run Monday through Friday 7:45am to 2:15pm
7:45am Class
Exploring topics including independent living and employment
9:00am - 2:00pm
Worksite/ Internship (including lunch)
2:00pm-2:15pm
Debrief / Review of Day
2:15pm
Dismissal
Internship Information
Each Project SEARCH location has a variety of different internships and industries
the three main categories that each hospital has to offer is:
Operations
Some example of operations internships include stocking linens and supplies, dock, assembling and cleaning equipment, delivering linens/equipment, complete work orders, sanitizing, and more.
Clerical
Some example of clerical internships include data entry, scanning, making and receiving phone calls, alphabetizing, minimal patient interaction, shredding, using copying machines, sorting mail, and more.
Hospitality
Some examples of hospitality internships include food and beverage prep, customer service, cashiering, stocking food items, cleaning spills, refill creamer and coffee machines, catering, identify specialty items, and more.