Program Overview

  • The Project SEARCH (PS) Adult Transition Program is a unique, business-led, school-to-work program that takes place at Marshfield Medical Center. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through 3 unpaid internships. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation provides a monthly stipend for participating in the program. Home - Project SEARCH 

    Project SEARCH interns are on-site at the hospital for 9 months between Sept. and May. Interns have to be at least 18 years old before starting the program. The goal of the program is to teach employability skills to individuals with disabilities and to gain future employment in the community. 


    Project SEARCH State Capitol Experience

    The Project SEARCH Marshfield group joined the other Central Wisconsin Project SEARCH groups from Stevens Point, Wausau, and Wisconsin Rapids for a trip to the Wisconsin State Capitol. Together they had made various ornaments for the 30-foot Balsam fir on display inside the Capitol. The students from Marshfield hand-painted golf balls as trees, penguins, reindeer, snowman, among many other unique designs. The tree, which came from Medford, Wisconsin, displayed ornaments from students throughout the state. 

       


    Project SEARCH Volunteer Experience

    Project Search students and staff participated in the Feed My Starving Children campaign which provides food to undernourished children worldwide. Volunteers participated at stations where they put together rice meal packets that were packaged and will be distributed to children in need. In addition to learning the valuable life-skills of teamwork and helping others, students had fun during the process as they listened to music and cheered each time a box was assembled. The team ended up with 44 boxes which contain 36 bags each, for a total of 9,504 meals! Great job team!

     


    Project SEARCH Receives State Award

    The Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) was one of four Wisconsin honorees of this year's 2018 America's Job Honor Awards.  The Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) hosted the event at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison, WI on November 28th. Mary Blanchard, from Opportunity Development Center (ODC) nominated MCHS for their outstanding commitment in providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities to achieve their career goals and their partnership with the Project SEARCH program.  Kyle Horn, founder and director of America's Job Honor Awards, along with ManpowerGroup as lead sponsor, presented the award to MCHS for their support in helping individuals overcome significant barriers to employment.   

    This 3 minute Project SEARCH video showcases the work of some of our Project SEARCH students who are completing internships at the Marshfield Clinic.

    Pictured below left to right: Kyle Horn, Founder and Director of Job Honor Awards; Mary Blanchard, ODC; Keresa Kilty, MCHS; Anne Dick, Project SEARCH Coordinator.


    Project SEARCH Wins Award

    In celebration of rural Wisconsin, "Project SEARCH" received a Standing Up for Rural Wisconsin Schools, Libraries, and Communities award. This is a tremendous honor, one which recognizes the collaborative efforts with partners in our community.
     
    The Project SEARCH Adult Transition Program is a unique, business led, school-to- work program that takes place at Ministry Saint Joseph’s Hospital. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through 3 unpaid internships. 
     
    Pictured below left to right: Tracey Kelz, Director of Student Services; Anne Dick, Project SEARCH Coordinator; Dr. Tony Evers, State Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Dee Wells, Superintendent; Jason R. Wilhelm, Principal at Marshfield High School.  
     

    History of Project SEARCH


    Project SEARCH was developed in 1996 by Nurse J. Erin Riehle, then the Director of the Emergency Department at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. 

    As the flagship program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital provides technical assistance for replication and overall leadership to Project SEARCH worldwide. 

    Project SEARCH has grown from one original program to 293 programs across 42 states and 4 other countries. 

    To find out more about Project SEARCH: www.projectsearch.us