About Project SEARCH

The Foundation of Our Program

Project SEARCH provides an opportunity and an atmosphere of high expectations.  People with disabilities have the right to choose a path toward education and employment. We strongly believe and expect that each intern can achieve the goal of competitive employment.

Project SEARCH - Decorative Swoosh

2022-2023

92%
Complete
program
Employed
(All Jobs)
Employed
(Model Criteria)

Our Founders

Erin Riehle - Founder of Project SEARCH

Our Founders

Project SEARCH originated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996, initiated by Erin Riehle, then the Emergency Department Director. Recognizing the need for employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, she sought to train them for entry-level positions in her department.
Susie Rutkowski - Founder of Project SEARCH
Partnering with Susie Rutkowski, the special education director at Great Oaks Career Campuses, they launched Project SEARCH. Since then, the program has expanded from a single site to an international network, focusing on securing competitive employment for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Our Team

Erin Riehle - Team Photo
Erin Riehle
RN, MSN, CESP
Co-Founder
Suzie Rotkowski - Team Photo
Susie Rutkowski
BS, M.Ed., CESP
Director and Co-Founder
Cindy Burns - Team Photo
Cindy Burns, CESP
CESP
Program Specialist
Joy Burress - Team Photo
Joy Burress
BA, CESP
Program Specialist
Molly Michels - Team Photo
Molly Michels
BA, MA, CESP
Program Specialist
Holly Opatick - Team Photo
Holly Opatick
BA, MS
Program Specialist
Carly Detlefsen - Team Photo
Carly Detlefsen
BS, M.Ed.
Program Specialist
Wendy Ray
MRC
Vocational/Educational Clinic
Team Photo -
Jenny O’Brien
LSW
Vocational/Educational Clinic
Kristen Wright - Team Photo
Kristen Wright
MBA, FACHE
Business Office
Belinda Grant - Team Photo
Belinda Grant
MSM
Business Office
Kyle Seigel - Team Photo
Kyle Seigel
BS
Business Office
Dennis Cleary - Team Photo
Dennis Cleary
OTD, OTR/L
Research Team
Meredith Kincaide
MS
Employment Supports
Anna Meloy
LISW
Employment Supports
Jody Clyde
Employment Supports

Our Team

Kristen Wright
Senior Director
Susie Rutkowski
Senior Program Specialist
Cindy Burns
Program Specialist
Joy Burress
Program Specialist
Carly Detlefsen
Program Specialist
Molly Michels
Program Specialist
Holly Opatick
Program Specialist
Dennis Cleary
Senior Researcher
Belinda Grant
Senior Operations Specialist
Kyle Seigel
Project Management Specialist
Joann Wood
Administrative Assistant
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Our Book

High School Transition that Works: Lessons Learned from Project SEARCH®

Maryellen Daston, Ph.D., J. Erin Riehle, M.S.N., & Susie Rutkowski, M.A. (Foreword by Paul Wehman, Ph.D.)

Cintas Continues SEARCHing for the Right Talent

An inclusive workplace culture thrives at our Cintas’ Little Rock, Arkansas rental location, thanks to the partnership with Project SEARCH. This collaboration has provided internships and jobs for young adults with developmental disabilities, allowing Cintas to tap into their talent and drive. As Mathew Hoppis, General Manager, notes, this initiative has led to zero turnover among Project SEARCH hires over the past five years, enhancing the company’s culture and community outreach while fostering success for all involved.