Project SEARCH at Kennedy Krieger Institute is a 10-month, transition program for individuals 18 through 24 years of age that provides hands-on job training through integrated worksite rotations, career exploration, innovative adaptations and mentoring from experienced staff. Project SEARCH at Kennedy Krieger is based on the original Project SEARCH model that was developed at the Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital Medical Center. In 1996, the Project SEARCH model was founded to provide real-life work experiences to young people with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since 1996, Project SEARCH has been replicated in hospitals and host business sites around the world.
Project SEARCH at Kennedy Krieger Institute is a non-paid internship that provides interns with the opportunity to learn employability skills while participating in a variety of workplace experiences. The interns work from approximately 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday through Friday. They start each morning with Daily Professional Development in the Employment Training Center (1741 Ashland Avenue building) of the Kennedy Krieger Institute Broadway campus. During Daily Professional Development, the interns work with Project SEARCH staff members to enhance their employability and independent living skills. Daily Professional Development topics include:
- Workplace Safety
- Self-advocacy
- Financial Literacy
- Health and Wellness
- Problem Solving
- Time Management
Following Daily Professional Development, the Project SEARCH interns report to their department internships. Each intern participates in three internship rotations that last for about 10 weeks. In these internships, the Project SEARCH interns works with their department mentors and supervisors to complete a variety of daily tasks. We are fortunate at Kennedy Krieger Institute to have interns working in over 15 supportive departments! This real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills helps individuals with disabilities make successful transitions to a productive adult life!
In addition to our Kennedy Krieger departments, we are fortunate to have community business partners that offer internship experiences too. Our community business partners include:
- Special Olympics of Maryland
- Meals on Wheels
- Hope For All
- BHS
Upon program completion, the ultimate goal for interns to utilize their internships skills to gain competitive employment. This process looks different for each individual and requires support from families, the Project SEARCH team, and the Kennedy Krieger Institute community.
Related Materials and Information:
**Program tours provided to prospective candidates upon request. Contact Rebecca Colangelo, Assistant Director of Meaningful Community Services, at Colangelo@KennedyKrieger.org.
Are you a community business who is looking to get involved or a hire a Project SEARCH intern? Please consider joining our Business Advisory Council! This group of local businesses meets quarterly to support our mission and offer workplace experiences for Project SEARCH interns. Contact Rebecca Colangelo, Colangelo@KennedyKrieger.org, for more information.
To Learn More About Project SEARCH, contact:
Rebecca Colangelo
Assistant Director, Meaningful Community Services
Colangelo@kennedykrieger.org
Stephanie Skeen
Project SEARCH Coordinator
Skeen@KennedyKrieger.org
Stacey Herman
Assistant Vice President, Neurodiversity and Community Workforce Development
HermanSt@KennedyKrieger.org
Tina Schmitt
Talent Acquisition and Retention Manager
Schmitt@KennedyKrieger.org
Mark Butler
Admissions and Compliance Specialist
ButlerMar@KennedyKrieger.org
Project SEARCH is driven by collaboration with the following community partners: