Project SEARCH was created by Erin Riehle of Cincinnati Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Currently in the 20th year of implementation, Project SEARCH has grown to over 400 locations world wide. Project SEARCH is a one year school-to-work internship program for youth with disabilities. Selected students are placed into a collaborating host business where they participate in 3, 10 week rotat
ions to learn marketable employment skills to gain competitive employment in the local community. Project SEARCH came to New Mexico in August 2014 by way of UNM Regent Jamie Koch, who has a daughter that participated in a SEARCH internship in Texas and has been successfully employed ever since. The University of New Mexico Hospital was the first program site, and is currently entering into their 3rd consecutive year. The UNMH team won an award for 90-99% successful placement for their 2014/2015 interns. New Mexico DVR has since funded the expansion of program sites across the state. Gallup NM has a program with Gallup McKinley County Schools and Hilton Garden Inn, Rio Rancho has a program with Rio Rancho Public Schools and Presbyterian Rust Medical Center, and Albuquerque Public Schools wiht Embassy Suites. This page is a place for all sites to share program updates, network with other sites and other professionals, and to further encourage interns by sharing their successes!
