Project SEARCH is a free unique business-led transition program for young adults ages 18-24 who are currently experiencing life with a developmental or physical disability. It provides individuals who want to work a chance to explore careers and develop transferable job skills through an internship at Gadsden Regional Medical Center (GRMC) in Gadsden, AL. Project SEARCH places young adults in real-world situations where they learn all aspects of gaining and maintaining a job. This process of immersion facilitates the teaching and learning of new work skills on a real work-site. 

Applications for prospective interns are distributed in Oct. and are due at the end of Feb. Potential candidates will be assessed by the Project SEARCH Team in March. The selected candidates will be notified in April and will attend a half day "Project SEARCH Orientation" in June & July. The Orientation days are structured to acclimate the interns to the hospital and to complete hospital pre-employment paperwork. 

The 9-month paid internship begins in mid-August and ends in mid-May of the following year. Each Intern completes up to three rotations in three different departments in the hospital and/or in community businesses. The interns start applying for employment around the end of their second rotations. Most interns are employed by graduation in May. However, if they are not employed by graduation, they are still eligible to receive our services throughout the summer. Every intern that completes the program receives a certificate of completion from Project SEARCH, a Smart Work Ethics Certificate, a Basic Computer Skills Certification, & a CPR/BLS Certification.

*Project SEARCH Applications can be obtained by emailing projectsearch.katie@gmail.com or projectsearchetowah@gmail.com*