Project SEARCH is a unique business-led transition program designed for students with disabilities. It is targeted for students whose main goal is employment and will benefit from career exploration. The cornerstone of the one school-year program is immersion in a large business or organization. The students learn employability and job skills while participating in a variety of worksite rotations which leads to competitive employment. Individualized job development and placement occurs based on the student’s experiences, strengths, and skills. Students are given support with accommodations, adaptations and on-the-job coaching. Three elective credits can be awarded for successful completion of Project SEARCH. The Project SEARCH programs include:
Project SEARCH / Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Classroom location: 5th Floor Building E, main hospital campus
Instructor: Tina Martin 513.636.5381 tina.martin@cchmc.org
Possible worksite experiences: (individualized for student strengths, abilities, and interests)
- Nurse server stocking / stocking in other departments
- Pickup/delivery of various hospital supplies
- Pharmacy assistant
- Cafeteria: stocking, folding pizza boxes for LaRosa’s, basic food prep
- Secretary Assistant: Clerical/Filing
- Clinical sterilization
- Family Escort
- Environmental Services
- Landscaping
Project SEARCH / CMH Regional Health System
Classroom location: Clinton Memorial Hospital, 1st Floor, Wilmington Ohio
Instructor: Linda Emery 937.283.9713 liemery@cmhregional.com
Possible worksite experiences: (individualized for student strengths, abilities, and interests)
- Cafeteria: stocking, dishwashing
- Clerical/Filing in variety of departments
- Distribution: Stocking supplies
- Support Tech Assistant
- Patient Activity Assistant
- Sterile Processing
- Environmental Services
- IT Technical Support
- Rehabilitation Clinic Support Aide
- Facilities Maintenance Assistant
Project SEARCH / Fifth Third Bank
Classroom location: Operations Center in Madisonville
Instructor: Carolyn Rogers: 513.358.0481 carolyn.rogers@53.com
Possible worksite experiences:
- Clerical Support / Filing
- Scanning/Imaging
- Check Processing/ Data Entry
- Loan Processing support
- Mail Room work and delivery
- Call Center
- Signature Cards
- Research copier/Microfilm
Project SEARCH / Mercy Hospital/Western Hills
Classroom location: 6th Floor
Instructor: Joe Driehaus 513.398.5536 driehauj@greatoaks.com
Possible worksite experiences: (individualized for student strengths, abilities, and interests)
- Cafeteria: Tray line, dishwashing, stocking kitchenettes
- Clerical/Filing in Human Resources and other departments
- Environmental Services
- Mercy Healthplex: cleaning locker rooms, maintaining exercise equipment, child care
- Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy support aide and transporter
- Phlebotomy, Radiology, Pharmacy lab (specialized skill required)
- Surgical Room support and maintenance
- Emergency Room/Operating Room support and maintenance
Project SEARCH / Xavier University
Classroom Location: Gallagher Center on the main campus
Instructor: Trisha Heim 513.503.3927 heimt@greatoaks.com
Possible worksite experiences:
- Physical plant
- AV / Technology Support
- Food Service
- Student Recreation Center
- Clerical support
- Library
- Landscaping: outside maintenance
Project SEARCH is collaborating with Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) to accept CPS students for 15 total openings. This agreement applies to Project SEARCH, not other Great Oaks workforce development programs. Adults can also enter the program if space is available. All students (high school and adult) need to be eligible for the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission.
Any questions, please call Jackie Gardiner at 513.612.3659 or email: gardinej@greatoaks.com
Project SEARCH is collaboration between Children's Hospital, Great Oaks Institute of Technology/Career Development and Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission.
