About

Project | SEARCH Model

Please press here to access the project page

The Project | SEARCH model was developed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996. Currently, there are 650+ Project | SEARCH sites worldwide. The program reports that approximately 75% of students are employed within a year of graduation. This reflects the overall success of the program for graduates and their employers.

Project | SEARCH sites may offer transition-to-work training for high school students and/or young adults. Successful candidates who join Project | SEARCH will:

Participate in a variety of work experiences within the host business during three 8-10 week co-ops

Acquire competitive, transferable and marketable employability skills

Gain increased independence, confidence, and self-esteem

Obtain work-based individualized coaching, instruction and feedback

Develop links to employment support and other service agencies

People shorting socks

Brant

What Project | SEARCH Looks Like

There are two facets to the Project | SEARCH program: employment skills instruction and employment skills application.

kitchen.jpgEach day begins in the Project | SEARCH classroom at the host business site where students learn employability skills. After the class, the majority of each day is spent in hands-on training. The work placements are selected to ensure that students develop the skills that are in demand in their local labour markets. Students end their day back in the classroom, reflecting on the day, journaling their key learnings, problem-solving, and planning. The program runs for approximately 10 months.

The teacher and skills trainers are onsite at the host business daily. In the classroom and on-the-job, they teach both the hard and soft skills needed for workplace success. In addition, students receive guidance from mentors, known as Champions, who are experienced staff of the host business. The mentors/ Champions act as advisors to guide the students’ skill development. They share real-world performance expectations, help the students reflect on the competencies they are developing and give open, candid feedback.

The ultimate goal is to support students to be successful in their post-graduation search for competitive employment, utilizing the skills learned in the work experiences and throughout the program. Some students may be hired by the host business where they trained. Others find employment in a range of industries in their local communities.

People labeling food

Project | SEARCH Brantford's Host Business Site

Project | SEARCH Brantford's host business site is St. Joseph's Long-Term Care Home, located at 99 Wayne Gretzy Parkway, Brantford.

St. Joseph's Long-Term Care Home

St. Joseph's Long-Term Care Home is part of the St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre Campus of Care which also includes Stedman Community Hospice and several independent medical offices and services.

St. Joseph’s Long-Term Care is the largest long-term care home in Brantford and Brant County with 205 beds
One of only two not-for-profit homes in the area
Excellent record with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Public Health
Proud member of the St. Joseph's Health System
Highest resident and family satisfaction within the St. Joseph's Health System since 2012
Supported by funding from St. Joseph's Lifecare Foundation

Project | SEARCH Norfolk's Host Business Site

Project | SEARCH Brantford's host business site is Norfolk General Hospital, located at 365 West Street, Simcoe, ON.

Norfolk General Hospital

Norfolk General Hospital provides exceptional care to nearly 70,000 residents in Norfolk County and surrounding areas from before birth to end of life.

Norfolk General Hospital is the largest healthcare facility in Norfolk County with 110 beds.
In 2020, Accreditation Canada provided NGH with the highest accreditation award available - Accreditation with Exemplary Standing.
Proud member of the Brantford, Brant, Norfolk Ontario Health Team.
Supported by funding from the Norfolk General Hospital Foundation.

Norfolk general hospital

Project | SEARCH Brantford's Supported Employment Program Partner

Community Living Brant has been working with people to reach their employment goals for over 30 years, focusing on long-term employment supports that include:

On-site job coaching and skills training

Navigation of accommodations

Person-centered planning and goal setting

Resume and interview assistance

Job development

Project | SEARCH Norfolk's Supported Employment Program Partner

NACL provides employment services to individuals with developmental disabilities who have or are looking to have meaningful employment opportunities as a part of living a full life in the community.

Job Links is a service which aims to help individuals prepare for, obtain and maintain employment.