Project SEARCH

Project SEARCH is a school-to-work transition program for young adults with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. Project SEARCH started at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in 1996 and has since grown to over 500 Project SEARCH sites nationally and internationally.

The students participating in Project SEARCH are fully immersed at the UCHealth hospital in their area to learn job skills with the goal of securing competitive employment. Programs are currently available at University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus, Highlands Ranch Hospital, Greeley Hospital, Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs and Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins.

About Project SEARCH at UCHealth

Our holistic approach and successful placement of young adults.

Since starting the program in 2017, UCHealth has worked with and supported dozens of young adults who have successfully attended and graduated from the program. According the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the employment rate for those with a disability was 19.3% in 2019, a stark contrast to the 66.3% for those without a disability. Operating a successful Project SEARCH requires an employment rate of 75% or above. UCHealth consistently places young adults in successful long-term jobs at a rate of 90% or greater since starting in 2017.

Project SEARCH at UCHealth takes a holistic approach to working with the young adults in our program. This includes highlighting strengths, identifying interests, overcoming barriers and challenges, and striving to obtain competitive employment that matches what works best for the young adult and their family. UCHealth’s leadership and staff acknowledge the exceptional contribution these young adults make in over 100 participating hospital units across our five participating UCHealth hospitals. Their involvement has brought a new dimension to our mission of Improving Lives.

Eligibility for Project SEARCH

To be eligible to apply to Project SEARCH, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have a strong desire to work.
  • Completed graduation requirements but deferred diploma or are willing to defer diploma.
  • Currently enrolled in a local high school special education program or transition program.
  • Willing to apply for services with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).
  • Open to travel training to gain skills to travel to the program independently via public transportation, Access-a-Ride, carpooling, etc.

Application process guidelines

For applicants interested in:

UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital - Anschutz

Applications for Project SEARCH are accepted starting Mid January for the class starting in August. Please send an email to The University of Colorado Hospital Project SEARCH Team at [email protected] to request that a secure application be sent to you.

Please note:

  1. All students selected to advance by the Selection Committee must participate in the Skills Assessment Day and interview phase to be ultimately considered for a spot in the Project SEARCH. All students asked to advance to the Skills Assessment Day and interview phase will be instructed on the day a time to be present for the Skills Assessment Day and interview by the Project SEARCH Program Managers. A family member or guardian must attend this session with the student.
  2. Students who are deemed most eligible to be successful in a 1-year employment program will be selected for Project SEARCH. Applicants may be denied entrance to the program, or be asked to re-apply for the subsequent program year.
  3. Project SEARCH on the Anschutz Medical Campus is made possible by a partnership between Jefferson County Public Schools (Jeffco) and Children’s Hospital Colorado/University of Colorado Hospital. This partnership allows Project SEARCH to accept all Denver Metro school district students for this program. Once accepted to Project SEARCH, all participants must be choice enrolled into Jeffco Public Schools, regardless of which district is considered their “home” district. If you have questions about this, please contact Stephanie Crookston (see contact information below).
  4. Project SEARCH maintains that a student’s post-school goals as identified on the IEP are appropriately and rigorously addressed through participation in the program and eligibility for public education is no longer necessary at the end of the school year. A graduation ceremony will take place at the end of the Project SEARCH program year at your student’s assigned program site (Children’s Hospital Colorado or University of Colorado Hospital), at which they will receive their diploma from the home school district.
  5. In addition to our partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools, Project SEARCH is made possible by the contributions of several other key agencies. As a participant in Project SEARCH, your student may require application to receive services and support from the following agencies to participate in Project SEARCH.
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Jefferson County Business and Workforce Center
  • ARC – Jefferson County and Denver Metro ARC locations
  • Denver Metro Community Centered Boards (CCBs)
  • Denver Metro Case Management Agencies (CMA)- formally Community Centered Boards (CCBs)
    • NOTE: Ineligibility for CMA services DOES NOT disqualify the student from the Project SEARCH Program
UCHealth Greeley Hospital

Applications are accepted October to December for the upcoming school year. Please send an email to Heather Jackson at [email protected] to request that a secure application be sent to you.

Please note:

  1. All students selected to advance by the Selection Committee must participate in the Skills Assessment Day and interview phase to be considered for a placement in Project SEARCH. Students invited to advance to the Skills Assessment Day and interview phase will be advised of the day and time to attend, and a family member or guardian must attend as well.
  2. Students who are deemed most eligible to be successful in a 1-year employment program will be selected for Project SEARCH. Applicants may be denied entrance to the program, or be asked to re-apply for the subsequent program year.
  3. Project SEARCH is made possible by a partnership between Greeley Evans District 6 and UCHealth Greeley Hospital. Participants must reside in Weld County.
  4. Project SEARCH maintains that a student’s post-school goals as identified on the IEP are appropriately and rigorously addressed through participation in the program and eligibility for public education is no longer necessary at the end of the school year. A graduation ceremony will take place at the end of the Project SEARCH program year at your student’s assigned program, at which they will receive their diploma from the home school district.
  5. In addition to Greeley Evans District 6, Project SEARCH is made possible through partnership with several other key agencies. As a participant in Project SEARCH, students may be required to apply to receive services and support from the following agencies:
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • The ARC of Weld County
  • Employment Services of Weld County
  • Envision
    • NOTE: Ineligibility for ENVISION services DOES NOT disqualify the student from the Project SEARCH Program
  • Greeley Evans Transit (GET)
UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital

Applications are accepted October to December for the upcoming school year. Please send an email to the Highland Ranch Project SEARCH team at [email protected] to request that a secure application be sent to you.

Please note:

  1. All students selected to advance by the Selection Committee must participate in the Skills Assessment Day and interview phase to be considered for a placement in Project SEARCH. Students invited to advance to the Skills Assessment Day and interview phase will be advised of the day and time to attend, and a family member or guardian must attend as well.
  2. Students who are deemed most eligible to be successful in a 1-year employment program will be selected for Project SEARCH. Applicants may be denied entrance to the program, or be asked to re-apply for the subsequent program year.
  3. Project SEARCH is made possible by a partnership between Douglas County School District and UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital. Once accepted to Project SEARCH, all participants must be choice enrolled into Douglas County Public Schools, regardless of which district is considered their “home” district. If you have questions about this, please contact Melissa Strickland (see contact information below).
  4. Project SEARCH maintains that a student’s post-school goals as identified on the IEP are appropriately and rigorously addressed through participation in the program and eligibility for public education is no longer necessary at the end of the school year. A graduation ceremony will take place at the end of the Project SEARCH program year at your student’s assigned program, at which they will receive their diploma from the home school district.
  5. In addition to our partnership with Douglas County School District, Project SEARCH is made possible by the contributions of several other key agencies. As a participant in Project SEARCH, your student may require application to receive services and support from the following agencies to participate in Project SEARCH:
    • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
    • Arapahoe/Douglas County Works Workforce Center
    • The ARC of Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties
    • Denver Metro Case Management Agencies (CMA)- formally Community Centered Boards (CCBs)
      • NOTE: Ineligibility for CMA services DOES NOT disqualify the student from the Project SEARCH Program
UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central

Project SEARCH applications are accepted from October to February. Please send an email to [email protected] to request that a secure application be sent to you.

Please note:

  1. All students selected to advance by the Selection Committee must participate in the Skills Assessment Day and interview phase to be ultimately considered for a spot in the Project SEARCH. All students asked to advance to the Skills Assessment Day and interview phase will be instructed on the day a time to be present for the Skills Assessment Day and interview by the Project SEARCH Program Managers. A family member or guardian must attend this session with the student.
  2. Students who are deemed most eligible to be successful in a 1-year employment program will be selected for Project SEARCH. Applicants may be denied entrance to the program, or be asked to re-apply for the subsequent program year.
  3. Project SEARCH is made possible by a partnership between Academy District 20 and UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central.
  4. Project SEARCH maintains that a student’s post-school goals as identified on the IEP are appropriately and rigorously addressed through participation in the program and eligibility for public education is no longer necessary at the end of the school year. A graduation ceremony will take place at the end of the Project SEARCH program year at your student’s assigned program, at which they will receive their diploma from the home school district.
  5. In addition to our partnership with Academy District 20, Project SEARCH is made possible by the contributions of several other key agencies. As a participant in Project SEARCH, your student may require application to receive services and support from the following agencies to participate in Project SEARCH.
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Pikes Peak Workforce Center
  • The Resource Exchange (TRE)
    • NOTE: Ineligibility for TRE services DOES NOT disqualify the student from the Project SEARCH Program
UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital

Project SEARCH applications are accepted December- February for the upcoming school year. Please send an email [email protected]  to request that a secure application be sent to you. 

Please note:

  1. All students selected to advance by the Selection Committee must participate in the Skills Assessment Day and interview phase to be considered for a placement in Project SEARCH. Students invited to advance to the Skills Assessment Day and interview phase will be advised of the day and time to attend, and a family member or guardian must attend as well.
  2. Students who are deemed most eligible to be successful in a 1-year employment program will be selected for Project SEARCH. Applicants may be denied entrance to the program, or be asked to re-apply for the subsequent program year.
  3. Project SEARCH is made possible by a partnership between Poudre School District and UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital.
  4. Project SEARCH maintains that a student’s post-school goals as identified on the IEP are appropriately and rigorously addressed through participation in the program and eligibility for public education is no longer necessary at the end of the school year. A graduation ceremony will take place at the end of the Project SEARCH program year at your student’s assigned program, at which they will receive their diploma from the home school district.
  5. In addition to Poudre School District, Project SEARCH is made possible through partnership with several other key agencies. As a participant in Project SEARCH, students may be required to apply to receive services and support from the following agencies:
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Integrating Supports
  • The ARC of Larimer County
  • Foothills Gateway
    • NOTE: Ineligibility for the CMA services DOES NOT disqualify the student from the Project SEARCH Program.

Contact us

Have questions or issues?

UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital: Send email communications to Stephanie Crookston at [email protected].

UCHealth Greeley Hospital: Send email communications to Heather Jackson at [email protected].

UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital: Send email communications to [email protected].

UCHealth Memorial Central Hospital: Send email communications to [email protected] or call 719.365.1220.

UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital: Send email communications to Andy Abbott at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Project SEARCH

Project SEARCH is a school-to-work transition program for students with a disability(s) aged 18-21. Students are immersed in the host business from August to May learning job skills to gain competitive integrated employment at the program end. During their time at Project SEARCH students are unpaid.

Does my student have to be in their final year of transition to apply?

While we encourage attending a year (or two) of transition, if your student is 18 and ready to work, we welcome their application to apply.

My student only wants to work part time, can they apply?

Yes. Project SEARCH is part time too, and is in session 16-24 hours a week depending on where your site is located.

My student has mobility issues, can they apply?

Project SEARCH classrooms and hospitals are equipped with accommodations/adaptive technology. Project SEARCH staff will work on adaptations in the workplace if the student is accepted.

Do you have to be eligible/enrolled with your Case Management Agency (i.e.- Developmental Pathways, Developmental Disability Resource Center, Rocky Mountain Human Services, TRE, Envision)?

No. Some individuals will not be deemed eligible to patriciate with a CMA (Case Management agency –formally known as a CCB), and that’s okay. Project SEARCH is still an option for you.

Do you need to take a bus or Access-a-Ride to participate?

We always encourage folks to work toward independent transportation. However, this is not mandated as a requirement to participant in Project SEARCH. 

Can students on a Behavioral Plan apply?

Sometimes, the quick pace of the Project SEARCH program is just what an individual who might be struggling in a school environment may need. Project SEARCH recommends teachers/guardians applying them anyway, so we can see them in action.

Can students who want to work outside of the medical field apply?

Yes. Hospitals are like mini cities, with options to work in Food Service, Facilities, HR, Administration, IT and more.  The skills learned can translate to jobs anywhere.

Do you need to be enrolled in a certain district to apply?

No. You have the option to choice enroll into the programs on the Anschutz Medical Campus and Memorial Central Colorado Springs Programs.   

Can my student can go back to transition, SWAP or other programs when they complete Project SEARCH?

No. Your student has spent the last 9 months learning job skills with the goal of employment. As they will be getting a job they will not be able to return to transition programs.  

Will my student will be transitioning back to DVR for a new job coach at the end of Project SEARCH?

Your student will stay with the skills trainer you have at Project SEARCH who will help the student find paid employment. Students will be transferred from the skills trainer if they are working outside the hospital and need continued long-term support.  

Students will transition to new skills trainers who are vetted by the Project SEARCH team and/or transition when the student is successfully placed with DVR and does not need any more services.

Does the student have to work at the hospital after completion?

Skills trainers help get the student a job in their area of interest at the hospital or in their communities.

If my student’s teacher/case manager doesn’t support applying to Project SEARCH, can the student still apply?

Yes. Project SEARCH staff work closely with schools and consider their experience with the student, but anyone who wants to apply should. We can assess at Skills Day if the Project SEARCH program is a good fit.

If my students gets declined, can they reapply?

Yes. If the student applied and was declined from the Project SEARCH program for that year, the student and their guardian will get a next steps email from the Project SEARCH team. If the student has a few years of transition left they can apply again and are, in fact, highly encouraged to apply again, as long as they are still under the age of 21. 

Can my student can go to college or participate in college programs after graduation?

No. Your student has spent the last 9 months learning job skills with the goal of employment. As they will be getting a job they will not be eligible to participate in college programs paid for by DVR or CMAS until a year or more after getting paid employment. If the student would like to be immersed in the college experience after obtaining employment, they may have to pay out of pocket for it. UCHealth and Children’s Hospital sites both participate in Ascend, which pays for college education and certification. Anyone who is a paid employee of UCHealth or Children’s Hospital is eligible for this program. 

Once my student is done with Project SEARCH, will they ever hear from Project SEARCH staff again?

Yes. We have a variety of great alumni events for all graduates of Project SEARCH that include community get-togethers and travel adventures.