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.
2023-2024
Complete
program
program
Employed
(All Jobs)
(All Jobs)
Employed
(Model Criteria)
(Model Criteria)
Our Founders
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.
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
RN, MSN, CESP
Co-Founder
Susie Rutkowski
BS, M.Ed., CESP
Director and Co-Founder
Cindy Burns, CESP
CESP
Program Specialist
Joy Burress
BA, CESP
Program Specialist
Molly Michels
BA, MA, CESP
Program Specialist
Holly Opatick
BA, MS
Program Specialist
Carly Detlefsen
BS, M.Ed.
Program Specialist
Wendy Ray
MRC
Vocational/Educational Clinic
Jenny O’Brien
LSW
Vocational/Educational Clinic
Kristen Wright
MBA, FACHE
Business Office
Belinda Grant
MSM
Business Office
Kyle Seigel
BS
Business Office
Dennis Cleary
OTD, OTR/L
Research Team
Meredith Kincaide
MS
Employment Supports
Anna Meloy
LISW
Employment Supports
Jody Clyde
Employment Supports
Our Team
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Our Book
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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.)
LEGOLAND California Builds Opportunity with Project SEARCH
LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad fosters an inclusive workplace culture through its partnership with Project SEARCH. As seen in Ramon’s Story, it enhances the guest experience and creates career opportunities, resulting in a motivated workforce.
