January 26, 2016 | Christopher DeFrancesco and Ethan Giorgetti

Project SEARCH at UConn Health

UConn Health is a host site for Project SEARCH - a program that prepares young adults with disabilities to live independent lives by helping them transition into the workforce.

Kirsten Saraceno was a Project SEARCH intern working in the linen area at UConn Health. (Janine Gelineau/UConn Health)

Project SEARCH is a program through Favarh that prepares young adults with disabilities to live independent lives by helping them transition into the workforce. UConn Health was one of the first Project SEARCH host sites in Connecticut.

Participating areas:

  • Cardiology
  • Dermatology
  • Food service
  • General maintenance
  • Housekeeping
  • Linen
  • Mailroom
  • Medical billing
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Warehouse receiving

Favarh, based in Canton, is a chapter of the Arc, a worldwide organization that supports people with disabilities. Favarh has partnered with the Connecticut Departments of Developmental Services and Rehabilitative Services, and UConn Health Human Resources, to bring the Project SEARCH to UConn Health.

Based on an international model developed at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital nearly 20 years ago, Project SEARCH is dedicated to building a workforce that includes people with disabilities. The interns gain marketable and transferable employment skills through worksite rotations and hands-on learning. The program teaches job-searching skills, assists with the application process, and provides job coaching. The ultimate goal for each intern is competitive employment.

To learn more about Project SEARCH, visit http://favarh.org/day/project-search.html or email Favarh at ProjectSearch@favarh.org.