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  4. Project SEARCH Prepares Young Adults with Intellec...

Project SEARCH Prepares Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for the Healthcare Workforce

July 20, 2022
A Project SEARCH graduate in a blue graduation robe speaks at a podium with the Montefiore logo on the front.

As part of our ongoing mission to improve the health and well-being of the Bronx community, Montefiore Einstein proudly graduated 12 students from its 2021–2022 Project SEARCH class last month. Project SEARCH is a “pipeline” skills training program designed to prepare young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for the workforce.

In 2014 Montefiore Einstein became the first health system in New York City to partner with Project SEARCH. Since then, 100 students have completed Montefiore Einstein’s program, with an average 75% employment rate each year. Project SEARCH employment outcomes far exceed the national average rate of employment for people with disabilities, with a 68% success rate in transitioning students from high school into competitive employment.

A group of Project SEARCH graduates in blue graduation robes pose for the camera.

Students who join Montefiore Einstein as interns through Project SEARCH get to experience up to three 10-week rotations in departments such as Human Resources, Environmental Services, Nursing, Gastroenterology and Cardiac Catheterization Lab, where they learn job-specific skills and develop the necessary “essential skills” to professionally interact with supervisors, colleagues and patients.

From left, Emilia DiMeo, Program Assistant; Dana Politis; Melissa Haber, Assistant Director, Volunteer & Student Services; Marilyn Ceilema, Manager, Volunteer & Student Services; Elizabeth Medina, Project Manager Community Workforce Programs

From left, Emilia DiMeo, Dana Politis, MPH, Director, Montefiore Community Workforce Programs; Melissa Haber, Assistant Director, Volunteer & Student Services; Marilyn Ceilema, Manager, Volunteer & Student Services; Elizabeth Medina, Project Manager Community Workforce Programs

We are helping to build a workforce that is reflective of our community and patient population. The long-term goal is to support economic stability and increase health equity by creating health leaders that come from the community they serve.

Dana Politis, MPH, Director, Montefiore Community Workforce Programs

Project SEARCH is one of Montefiore Einstein’s many community-based workforce programs designed to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of the Bronx community. Our programs partner with high schools and colleges, community-based organizations and workforce providers to offer customized programming to prepare future healthcare workers by breaking down barriers that historically have kept some people from achieving success in the workplace.

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