Giving people with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to transition from school to work programs is the goal of Project SEARCH, a program UCHealth has supported since 2017.

UCHealth has Project SEARCH programs available in hospitals throughout Colorado, including 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.

“This is about growing our kids and giving them opportunities,” said Marilyn Schock, president of Greeley Hospital.

Project SEARCH started at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in 1996 and has grown to more than 500 sites nationally and internationally.

UCHealth partners with Project SEARCH, school districts, the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, business and workforce centers, and community partners to help people transition into jobs. Hundreds of participants have graduated from UCHealth’s program.