The Story of Project SEARCH

Project SEARCH is an international, evidence-based program. It was developed at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Centre in 1996 by emergency room director Erin Riehle as a recruitment and retention strategy.  Riehle partnered with Susie Rutowski, a special education director at a career training organization.  

The Project SEARCH model is so successful for graduates and employers that it continues to spread. 

• 750+ sites worldwide
• 30 Canadian sites in 2025/26
• 65-70% of Project SEARCH graduates worldwide get jobs after graduations each year compared to 27% Canadian employment rate of adults with severe disabilities who didn't train with Project SEARCH
• 168 graduates hired in Canada (2020-2023)
• Graduates work an average of 20 hours/week at a competitive wage