2. News Room

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DWD, Essentia Health St. Mary's Hospital Celebrate Graduation of Four Local Project SEARCH Interns

Project SEARCH Program Prepares Young Adults with Disabilities for Rewarding Careers

SUPERIOR – Susan Rabbitt learned through Project SEARCH that things can turn out differently than intended, independence can bring challenges, and "we all have room to grow and change into successful adults."

Rabbitt, who learned about the program through a Division of Vocational Rehabilitation counselor, enjoyed meeting new people, particularly the program's staff and three other Project SEARCH interns who she says are "sweet and funny."

Her plans following graduation are to pursue college and work to have a successful income without the need for public assistance.

"The Department of Workforce Development this year is excited to celebrate Wisconsin's nearly 200 Project SEARCH graduates, who pushed themselves to explore new opportunities, develop additional life skills, and take pride in the work they have done over the past nine months," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "In Wisconsin, more employers are tapping the state's diverse talent pool. Successful programs like Project SEARCH reaffirm that workers with disabilities can bring tremendous skills and abilities to any employer's workforce."

The graduation ceremony at Barkers Island Festival Park on Friday, June 2, in Superior, marked the completion of a nine- to 12-month immersive work experience. The interns recounted their hands-on experiences and talked about their future career opportunities.

In addition to Essentia Health St. Mary's Hospital, which was the host site, the local internship experience was made possible by partners including the Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Embark Supported Employment, Superior School District, Aging and Disability Resource Center, and Inclusa, Inc. Statewide, 28 premier employers are participating in Project SEARCH this year.

Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort among state vocational rehabilitation agencies, area schools, local employers, and long-term care organizations to help interns acquire marketable, competitive, and transferable skills that lead to employment. The interns complete multiple 10-week rotations to maximize exposure to different career paths and learn employability skills in a classroom and hands-on job skills within the business environment.

Started at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1996, Project SEARCH has provided workforce training to approximately 1,500 Wisconsin residents since its statewide launch in 2008. For more, visit Project SEARCH Wisconsin.

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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.