Project SEARCH Mississippi is administered by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and is a joint partnership between MDRS, a business, and a school district.
What is Project SEARCH?
The Project SEARCH Program is a unique, business-led, nine-month employment preparation program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Up to 12 students with disabilities experience total workplace immersion, classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through three different worksite rotations. The goal for each participant is competitive employment. To reach that goal, the program provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent-living skills to help young people with significant disabilities make successful transitions to productive adult life.
Project SEARCH Mississippi Success
141 individuals with disabilities have graduated from Project SEARCH Mississippi since Project SEARCH UMMC launched in August 2018. 97 of those individuals have gained employment. The job search continues for graduates. 73 interns will be participating in Project SEARCH across the state and will graduate in May, 2023.
What does a Good Project SEARCH Candidate Look Like?
- Must have a strong desire to work.
- Meet all their high school credit requirements for graduation, certification or completion
- Must be 18-21 years old and eligible for Special Education Services
- Must be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation
- Basic and effective communication skills
- Basic reading and writing skills
- Able to manage their own self-care skills
- Good attendance record
- Able to pass drug test and background check
- Ability to understand safety
- Ability to take directions
- Maintain appropriate behavior in the workplace
Current Sites/Participating Schools
1 | University Medical Center–Jackson Rankin County School District / Pearl School District / MS School for Deaf/Blind |
2 | Baptist Hospital–Jackson Clinton Public School District / Jackson Public School District / Madison County School District |
3 | Forrest General–Hattiesburg Hattiesburg, Petal and Lamar County School District |
4 | North Mississippi Medical Center–Tupelo Tupelo School District / Lee County School District / Nettleton School District |
5 | South Central Regional Medical Center–Laurel Jones County School District / Laurel School District |
6 | Merit Health River Region-Vicksburg Vicksburg–Warren School District |
7 | Merit Health-Natchez Natchez-Adams School District |
8 | Columbus Air Force Base Lowndes County School District |
9 | Singing River Hospital Pascagoula-Gautier School District |
10 | Viking Range–Greenwood Leflore Christian School / JZ George High School / MS Delta Community College |
11 | King Daughters Hospital–Brookhaven Lincoln County School District |
12 | Singing River Hospital–Ocean Springs Ocean Springs School District / Jackson County School District |
13 | Neshoba General Hospital–Philadelphia Neshoba County School District / Philadelphia School District |
14 | Baptist Memorial Hospital–Oxford Lafayette School District / Oxford School District |
15 | Baptist Memorial Hospital–Olive Branch DeSoto County School District |
16 | Baptist Medical Center-Kosciusko Kosciusko / Attala School District |
17 | Keesler Air Force Base Biloxi Public School District |
18 | Ochsner Rush Health Lauderdale County School District |
To request services, click here.