Project SEARCH Wake recently held its first graduation. Project SEARCH is a program that facilitates higher wage competitive employment for persons with significant disabilities. Nine interns completed three ten-week internships at North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services offices on Dorothea Dix campus in Raleigh. While Project SEARCH has been in operation since 1996 and has over 400 training sites nationally and internationally, Project SEARCH Wake is the first site in Wake County.

“The outcomes of the Project SEARCH training program in Wake County are astounding. Prior to graduation, five of the nine interns were already competitively employed. The support of the instructor, trainer, and host site supervisors enhanced the skills and knowledge gained by the interns leading to better employment opportunities,” said Julie Griffin, Vocational Services Director, Community Workforce Solutions.

Project SEARCH Wake is currently seeking interns for its second year of training which will begin in August 2017. If interested in becoming an intern please contact Julie Griffin at jgriffin@nc-cws.org.

About Community Workforce Solutions:

Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people, the success of business, and the quality of community life by matching the right person to the right job. Through job training and placement services, persons with disabilities or other barriers to employment are placed in productive positions and encouraged to meet their own vocational goals. For more information visit http://www.communityworkforcesolutions.com.

About Project SEARCH:

Project SEARCH, based at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, is a business-led, one-year work-preparation program for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Most participants are enrolled while transitioning from high school to work. The hallmark of Project SEARCH is total workplace immersion, which facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training. Project SEARCH's primary objective is to secure competitive employment for every program participant. For more information, visit www.projectsearch.us. Project SEARCH Wake is a collaborative effort between Wake Technical Community College, North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the host business site. Technical assistance funding was provided by North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities.