Are there any prerequisites or requirements for the program?
Yes! The applicant and Sioux Falls School District must agree that this will be the last year of the student's school eligibility. The potential intern must have attendance at Skills Day and/or tour the Project SEARCH program at the host-site. All applicants must have applied and deemed eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, and the applicant must have approval of their special education team to attend the program.
Also, each student must pass the host-business requirements, such as providing a copy of immunization records, complete and pass a background check, complete and pass a health assessment, which includes a drug screening, tuberculosis test, and review immunization records. A photo ID can be provided (school or passport) or a picture will be taken on campus for badge purposes. Other requirements may be added at any time.
Is there a timeline?
Application for DRS-SBVI services should be completed by June 1 of application year (applications begin to be accepted start of the school year through deadline).
Tour Project SEARCH at the Sanford USD Medical Center
Project SEARCH application is due MARCH 1 for upcoming school year
Skills Day and Interview with selection committee - approximately mid-end March
Selection process - approximately late March early April
IEP meeting held in April and early May
Late applications can be considered until May 1, if the program is not at full capacity. Late applicants are still required to tour and interview.
Applicant Commitment Letters will be completed prior to starting program
How are interns selected?
Interns are typically referred to the program through their schools, a family member, or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and apply in the winter the year prior to entering the program. A team representative of all the partners: Project SEARCH coordinator, host business liaison, VR Counselor, and other appropriate personnel carry out the selection process. The process includes tours/skills day, student interviews, and scoring on a rubric related to entrance considerations.
Do I have to apply?
Yes. Applications are taken starting at the beginning of the school year, and up until the cut- off date. Skills Day and interviews are held in March. All applicants need to have applied and determined eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation services in order to be considered for the program. Please reach out to your VR Counselor with any questions regarding your VR status.
Do interns get paid?
Yes! While most sites are unpaid internships, South Dakota Project SEARCH Sites offer the choice to receive a monthly stipend, which is not considered a wage, for their young adults. Young adults and families are encouraged to visit with a benefit specialist prior to accepting the stipend.
Do I get to choose my rotations?
The young adult's choice is one of the driving factors that determine their rotation placement. We combine their choice along with availability of rotation and current skills to try and create the perfect fit! However, there is potential they may not get the rotation they want.
What rotations are available?
Rotations vary from year to year, depending on the interests of the participants. Young adults have accessed Environmental Services, Nutrition and Food Service, and Laundry. If there is an area of interest, let us know and we will do our best to create some type of experience.
Do I have to rotate to other internships if I like the first one?
Yes, Project SEARCH is designed to give interns the opportunity to have a variety of work experiences, to explore different careers, and to learn competitive work skills in a wide range of settings. This process helps to refine each intern’s career goal and to prepare for competitive employment.
If an intern can gain additional marketable skills and a strong possibility of being offered a competitive job, it is often productive for that individual to do multiple rotations at a single internship site.
What do I wear during the Project SEARCH day?
When working on the Sanford campus, interns wear black pants, a blue Project SEARCH polo, and black non-slip shoes. All interns are required to wear a Sanford name badge with their photo ID.
Pullover hooded sweatshirts, jeans, shorts, athletic clothing, or open-toed shoes are not allowed. All Project SEARCH interns follow the host-business requirements and participate in similar onboarding and orientation procedures as typical employees.
How long do I participate in Project SEARCH?
Project SEARCH is designed for interns to participate with their cohort for one academic school year, and is traditionally in their last year special education services. The program follows the same calendar as the SFSD, including snow days, late start, and early release.
Additional Questions?
Feel free to call or email the Project SEARCH phone (605.359.8261) to speak with the program coordinator, Heidi Hewitt.