Project SEARCH is a transition-to-work program designed to help young adults with disabilities gain the skills and experience needed for competitive, integrated employment. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning in a workplace setting, helping participants build confidence, independence, and practical job skills.
Project SEARCH was developed in 1996 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center through a partnership with Great Oaks Career Campuses and the Hamilton County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Since then, it has grown into a global initiative with 791 sites internationally, across 48 states and multiple countries, serving more than 54,511 individuals—including five sites here in New Hampshire.
The benefits of Project SEARCH for Interns include that they:
- Obtain work based individualized coaching, instruction and feedback
- Acquire competitive, transferable, and marketable job skills
- Gain increased independence, confidence, and self esteem
- Receive individualized job development and placement support after Project SEARCH graduation
Follow this link to learn more about the national Project SEARCH: www.projectsearch.us
Project SEARCH at Concord Hospital
Project SEARCH at Concord Hospital is nationally recognized as one of five official Project SEARCH sites in New Hampshire. The Project SEARCH at Concord Hospital adheres to the core standards of the national model and is part of the broader Project SEARCH national initiative.
Project SEARCH is truly part of the fabric of Concord Hospital! We have active support and recognition from the hospital’s leadership, human resources, and many departments. All of our activities take place on the Concord Hospital campus.
There are two focuses in the Project Search experience. One focus is the hands-on experience at an assigned internship. Interns participate in three internships across various departments throughout the hospital over the course of the program. Interns work directly with, and are supported by, department supervisors and staff. Each internship provides total immersion in the department, with a focus on developing real-world workforce skills and exposure to a variety of career paths.
The other focus is classroom time, where interns are guided by the Instructor and Skills Trainers through a curriculum that instills a variety of skills needed for success in employment and life!
"As our daughter was preparing to enter the workforce, we had hoped to find a work-preparation program that could truly support her needs, but we never imagined finding one as capable and highly supportive as Project SEARCH at Concord Hospital. As a young adult with a learning disability, having a place where she felt understood, encouraged, and capable made an enormous difference. Our family recommends this program because the combination of in?class training and three internship rotations created a structured, hands?on learning environment where she could try new things and discover her strengths. Each internship offered real workplace experience, consistent coaching with feedback, and clear expectations that helped her build confidence and independence. We also saw meaningful changes at home such as more independence, more willingness to take on new tasks, and more confidence speaking up for herself. We appreciate how the hospital staff treated her as a valued member of their teams during her internships as well as the dedication of the Program’s instructors and skills trainers. Project SEARCH truly made a positive impact on her readiness for employment and on our family." - Parent of a 2024 graduate
Program Structure
Participants complete three 10-week internship rotations within Concord Hospital. These internships provide the opportunity to learn job responsibilities, workplace expectations, and communication skills in a real-world environment.
Throughout the program, interns are supported by:
- Project SEARCH staff
- Department supervisors
- Skills trainers and workplace staff
This team works together to provide guidance, feedback, and support as participants build their skills over time.
Community Bridges proudly collaborates with the following partners to make the Project SEARCH Program at Concord Hospital a reality:
Business Host and Program Site
Provides a portion of the funding to support Skills Trainers for each internship and classroom support. NHVR also connects all Project SEARCH sites in the state with national Project SEARCH initiatives.
Provides the instructor and shares program oversight
Provides the Skills Instructors to support students in the classroom, provide internship monitoring, and conduct job development for post SEARCH job placement in community businesses.
Eligibility:
All potential interns must meet the following criteria:
- Have post-education employment as a desired life outcome
- Be between 19 and 35 years of age
- Be connected to Community Bridges or another Area Agency
- Be connected to New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation (NH VR)
- Demonstrate ability to take personal responsibility, communicate respectfully, listen openly and attentively, and accept constructive feedback and learn from it
- Possess a level of independence and self-reliance in order to engage in the program without the need for 1:1 support
Application Process:
- The Project SEARCH application process involves several steps, including application, documentation review, and an interview with a selection committee.
- Verification of eligibility with partner agencies, and the tuition funding plan must be confirmed.
Application Timeline:
- December: Applications become available
- End of January: Application deadline
- March: Interviews
- April: Acceptance notifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Participants complete three 10-week internship rotations within Concord Hospital.
The program follows the Concord School District (SAU 8) academic calendar, including holidays and vacations, which is based on 177 days. Project SEARCH holds a formal graduation ceremony celebrating the Interns' achievements. This ceremony typically takes place in the second or third week of June.
The daily schedule follows the typical academic schedule for Concord High School. Each day Interns begin at 7:45 and end at 2:30. There are two main parts of the Interns’ day. One part is their hands-on experience at their assigned internship, and the other part is classroom time where interns are guided through a curriculum that instills a variety of personal qualities and skills that are needed for success.
Students arrive at 7:45 am and begin the day with a morning huddle with the Instructor and Skills Trainers. Internships begin at 8:30 am for two hours, then a break for lunch at 11:30 am. Interns return to their internship from 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm. After that, Interns return to the classroom for a quick break, then reflection and curriculum work. Interns depart for the day at 2:30 pm.
Interns participate in three different internship rotations each year. Each day interns spend fours and a half hours within a hospital department with hands-on employment skills training provided. The project SEARCH Skills Trainers will check in each day and provide coaching as needed, but essentially Interns work directly with, and are supported by, department supervisors and staff. Concord Hospital is a dynamic and vibrant business community that offers learning experiences beyond direct health care. Internships have taken place in the following departments:
- Human Resources and Career Center
- Security
- Environmental Services
- Facilities Management
- Grounds
- The Learning Center
- Food Services
- Linens
- Materiel Management
Project SEARCH follows an established curriculum intended to enhance personal development. The Project SEARCH Instructor is Stephanie Brasley who is a certified Special Education Teacher and was the Transition Coordinator at Pembroke Academy prior to taking the role of Project SEARCH as Concord Hospital Coordinator and Instructor.
Here are some of the topics that are covered through the Project SEARCH curriculum:
- Team Building
- Hospital Orientation
- Workplace Safety
- Technology
- Professional Skills
- Personal Responsibility
- Health and Wellness
- Money Management
- Presentation Skills
- Self-reflection, self-awareness and self-advocacy
- Person centered thinking and planning
- Interviewing
- Resume Writing
- Job Seeking
- Keeping a Job
Tuition for the program is approximately $27,000. Funding may be available through a combination of sources, including Vocational Rehabilitation and school district support.
The way Project SEARCH is funded may depend on your current situation. For instance:
- If you are still connected to a school district, Project SEARCH will be funded by that school district. You should make sure that your school is on board with this plan and that Project SEARCH is written into your IEP.
- If you have exited the school system, HCBS-Medicaid Waiver funding may be available through Community Bridges and the State of NH Developmental Disability system. Please note that each person must meet eligibility requirements to be considered for Medicaid waiver funding. Additionally, there must be state-level funding available and allocated to the person when it is needed. Neither eligibility nor funding availability is automatic or guaranteed, so do not wait to inquire with your Community Bridges connection.
- Private Pay – You and your family can privately fund Project SEARCH, or consider applying for grants, student aid, scholarships, etc.
First and foremost, Project SEARCH is a career and employment development program. So each candidate must view career and paid employment as an important personal life outcome. As well, the candidate must:
- Be between 19 and 35 years of age
- Be connected to Community Bridges
- Be eligible for and have a current, open connection with Vocational Rehabilitation
Provide pertinent documentation such as immunization records, IEPs, resumes, confirmation of tuition funding - Be up to date on all Concord Hospital required vaccinations
- Pass background checks required of Concord Hospital employees
- Possess a level of personal independence and self-reliance in order to engage in the program without the need for 1:1 support
- Demonstrate mature, respectful behavior, ability to take personal responsibility, be able to communicate respectfully, listen openly and attentively, and accept constructive feedback and criticism.
The Intern’s family is an important partner. Families can promote success in Project SEARCH by:
- Supporting paid employment as future life outcome for the student
- Committing to provide or secure transportation to the program each day if needed
- Supporting the intern in the home setting by fostering personal organization, self-reliance, responsibility and accountability
- Participating actively in job development pursuits
- Be prepared to support your family member to take on greater personal responsibility for communication with the Instructor, and accountability for program participation
We are continuously recruiting for upcoming **Project SEARCH sessions and aim to provide candidates, families, and school teams with the information needed to make an informed decision about applying.
Below is the general annual timeframe for the Project SEARCH recruitment and application process:
Applications for the next Project SEARCH session typically become available in December, with a deadline at the end of January. This timeline allows candidates time to speak with their family and team, schedule a tour, attend an information session or open house, and gather the required documentation listed in the application.
As part of the application, candidates are asked to complete a self-assessment. This may require input from family members, teachers, or other members of the candidate’s support team, so applicants are encouraged to allow enough time to complete it thoughtfully.
Completed applications are submitted directly to the Project SEARCH Instructor and reviewed by a Selection Committee.
Applicants who move forward in the process are scheduled for an interview. In some cases, the Instructor may also observe the candidate in their current school or work setting. Every effort is made to ensure this process is comfortable and accessible, and to support each applicant based on their communication style and experience.
Application Timeline:
- December: Applications available
- End of January: Application deadline
- March: Interviews
- April: Acceptance notifications
If you are interested in Project SEARCH but have missed the typical application timeframe, we encourage you to reach out. Applications may be accepted on an ongoing basis, particularly between May and August, if space is available. We recommend connecting with us as early as possible to learn about current openings.
Project SEARCH at Concord Hospital follows a Two Year plan
The first year of Project SEARCH is a full-time program that follows the Concord School District academic calendar. Project SEARCH’s primary objective is to secure competitive employment for each Intern. This is defined as 16 hours per week or more of paid employment in a typical community business. To achieve that outcome, the commitment to securing employment for each intern, and supporting successful job retention over time, extends beyond the first year.
“Summer Bridge”
After Intern graduation, the focus shifts to ensuring that each Intern has secured paid employment in a community business. During Summer Bridge, Project SEARCH Skills Trainers and Community Choices Supported Employment Job Coaches will provide individualized job development for each graduate, beginning the week following graduation until employment is secured. It is important to note that Summer Bridge is not a full time program. Each intern receives about 5 hours per week of support. Some of these hours will be directly with the Intern, but some hours may be spent by the Skills Trainer or Job Coach to seek employment on behalf of the student.
Once employed in a competitive placement, your support becomes individualized assistance called “Supported Employment.” This includes a detailed Job Analysis to identify and address barriers and develop strategies for ongoing employment retention. Community Choices will remain connected for a full year following Project SEARCH graduation, so long term funding must be carved out to support their direct services and consultation. This support may be provided alongside other services and supports you receive from Community Choices or another agency.
Vocational Rehabilitation will retain the connection with you through successful job placement and may be able to offer additional short term support as needed for job training and retention.
The Project SEARCH Instructor will maintain regular connection with all graduates during the year following graduation to track the status of employment, report outcomes to National Project SEARCH, and to assist with job development idea generation, problem solving, and encouragement for graduates and families as needed.
“The best advice I can give? If you're thinking about going to Project Search, it will be the best thing you could ever do in your life.” -Project SEARCH class of 2020 - 2021
Contact us to learn more about
Project SEARCH
Email us at:
ProjectSEARCH@cbinnh.org
or contact
Stephanie Brasley, Project SEARCH at Concord Hospital
sbrasley@crhc.org or sbrasley@sau8.org or 603-415-6646
“Project SEARCH was the perfect transitional program for our family. Our son has Asperger's Syndrome and when he was a senior in high school, we were uncertain how he would make it as a young adult and hold down a job. The internships offered at Concord Hospital provide an awesome opportunity for kids with disabilities who would like to live independently. The staff helps them learn what an employer will expect as well as some of the social aspects too. I would definitely recommend this program to other families. It was a great experience for our son!” Participate Family Feedback
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