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From High School to Hospital Intern: Finding Success through Project SEARCH

During Faris Omari's junior year at Brookfield Central High School, his teacher mentioned two words that would ultimately become pivotal: Project SEARCH. The teacher suggested the program would be a strong fit, particularly for Faris' final year of high school.

Faris hadn't heard of the program at the time, but his interest was piqued.

"My parents wanted me to look into this too," said Faris. "So, I went on a tour at Children’s Wisconsin to see what Project SEARCH was. I also toured other sites at Waukesha Memorial, and did a skills assessment at Children’s Wisconsin and the Milwaukee County Zoo."

To qualify, Faris applied to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and was ultimately accepted into the 2025-26 Project SEARCH program at Children's Wisconsin.

Project SEARCH is a nine-month program administered by DVR. The program provides students like Faris, who have disabilities, with hands-on job training through workplace rotations at local businesses. Interns receive training from on-site instructors often hired by local school districts or teaching agencies, and personalized support from disability service providers. DVR offers job search assistance and provides individual support to participants both during the program and after completing the program.

Mastering the Rotations

During Project SEARCH at Children's Wisconsin this school year, seven students – including Faris – experienced three work rotations lasting 10 weeks each.

In his first rotation, Faris was placed in the Mail and Copy Center and was trained on every machine in the room. There, he learned how to sort, bundle and deliver mail by doing mail runs to 25 departments across the hospital.

During his second rotation, he was placed in Distribution.

"I learned how to restock medical supplies for patients and learned how to restock nurse servers on three floors," he explained. "Then I learned how to restock the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and there are six suites for this. I learned how to program systems and make deliveries around the hospital."

Faris' third rotation was in Facilities, which he describes as the department that helps the hospital "breathe." There, he checked the expiration dates on fire extinguishers and monitored mechanical room temperatures and equipment performance.

"I also learned how to fix remotes, strollers, and items on the ceiling, as well as ladder safety," he said.

"When I get feedback given to me, I start to think about that feedback and follow it," said Faris. "Feedback helps us in our real jobs."

Staff Guidance and Support

Project SEARCH staff play a critical role in supporting students throughout the program. For Faris, that support included Mary Fitzgerald, skills trainer/job developer for Creative Employment Opportunities, and Kristi Staus, Project SEARCH instructor at Children's Wisconsin through CESA 1.

"Mary was my skills trainer and initially helped me by taking pictures of supplies," Faris said. "She texted them to me, which were visuals that I needed," said Faris.

Mary created task lists for each rotation, and Faris reflected on them daily. She also checked in with Faris and his department team each day.

"Kristi is my instructor and she has helped me with learning in the training room like health and wellness, safety, budgeting financial wellness, our handbook, and slides into my Employment Planning Meetings," Faris said.

"Faris came into Project SEARCH with an inquisitive mind, a positive work ethic, and kindness," said Kristi. "Those characteristics continue, and his confidence and abilities have grown even more. He is more self-aware, has improved social skills to relate and respond to others, asks questions, builds relationships, is dedicated and determined, and is ready for employment."

Beyond the Internship

Project SEARCH teaches meaningful, transferable job skills while building a pathway to competitive, integrated employment. Interns work alongside peers of all abilities, ensuring real-world experience and full inclusion in the workplace.

The program benefits not only the interns, but also the businesses that host them and the broader community by connecting local employers with skilled, motivated job seekers who are ready to put their talents to work.

At the time of publication, Faris had been conducting an externship in the NICU at Children’s Wisconsin, where he stocks supplies. He hopes the experience there will lead into part-time employment by mid-June.

When Faris is not working, he enjoys coaching basketball and helping with the football team at his high school.

"I also like to read and work out, and I help my dad with yardwork like cutting the lawn," said Faris. He even recently helped paint his grandparents’ garage.

Faris said he is most proud of being a part of Project SEARCH and his time at Children's Wisconsin. Along with his classmates, he will complete Project SEARCH on May 28, 2026.

"I’d sum up everything by saying I’m excited and ready for work!" said Faris.

"The company that gets to have Faris is lucky, as he will be a tremendous asset to the team," said Kristi. "We are thankful to all the people who have been a part of his growth and learning through the years."

Project SEARCH was developed in 1996 at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and has since grown to more than 750 sites worldwide. Wisconsin's Project SEARCH program began in 2008 with a single site in Madison and has since expanded to 27 sites across the state.

This year, Faris is one of 193 interns completing Wisconsin Project SEARCH, which has provided workforce training to nearly 2,100 individuals with disabilities since its inception. Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed May 25-29, 2026, as Project SEARCH Week in Wisconsin.

For more information, visit DVR's Wisconsin Project SEARCH website.

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ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.