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Project Search
Welcome to Project SEARCH – Rice Lake, WI! The Project SEARCH high school transition program is a unique, business-led, nine-month school-to-work program that takes place entirely at the workplace. The Rice Lake area’s Project SEARCH program is hosted at Rice Lake Weighing Systems, a local scale manufacturer and distributor.
Our local Project SEARCH began in 2016 with 8 interns learning vocational skills at the host business, Rice Lake Weighing Systems.
The program includes area high school students, as well as other young adults with developmental disabilities between the ages of 18-24. Many local and state agencies are working together to offer Project SEARCH to our area. We have seen the power of workplace skill-building and how it has given invaluable life, work and self-advocacy skills to the young adults who complete this program.
Our program is lead by a committee composed of members from local and state agencies, area school districts, business liaisons and community members. We are always looking for more support for the program as well as interested families.
Project Search History & Mission
Project SEARCH was developed in 1996 by nurse J. Erin Riehle, who was the emergency department director at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center at the time. As the flagship program, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital provides technical assistance and overall leadership to Project SEARCH worldwide. Project SEARCH has grown to include hundreds of programs across the United States and internationally.
Hear from our Project Search Graduates
Internship Benefits
Interns who complete Project SEARCH see many lifelong benefits:
- Confidence in their abilities to learn job skills and become a self-advocate
- A guided transition from student life to working adult life with lifelong vocational skills
- The opportunity to learn what the intern desires in a prospective job after the completed internship
- Increased work ethic, relationship-building skills and self-esteem
- A brighter outlook for the future as a gainfully employed and independent adult
- The tools needed to set goals and turn experiences into résumé and job interview assets
Become An Intern
Project SEARCH offers lifelong vocational and self-esteem skills with the support from school districts, parents, local businesses, other support systems, as well as state and local funding.
For Project SEARCH to succeed, interns need a passion to improve their vocational skills and a desire to work. Individuals must apply for the program, have appropriate hygiene, some communication skills and be determined to learn new employability skills.
If you would like to participate in our program, please download, complete and submit the intern application below to be considered for next year’s Project SEARCH internships.
Job Descriptions
Project SEARCH host businesses provide job internships and an on-site area for interns to meet daily with their instructors to learn team-building and workplace communication skills. The internships available are custodial, maintenance, office administrative support and light assembly.
Partners
Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort between Rice Lake Weighing Systems and professional agencies to develop internships for youth with disabilities that will teach work skills, provide assistance in achieving their career goals and enhances their lives. Our partners include: CESA 10, Ventures Unlimited, DVR, INCLUSA and IRIS.
Contact Us
Are you interested in becoming an intern for our next year of Project SEARCH? Please contact our local Project SEARCH coordinator for more information about intern requirements. For testimonials and general information about Project SEARCH, please contact any Project Search contacts.
Nikki Deli
Project Search Instructor
715-736-6483
[email protected]
Kristin Frane
Ventures Unlimited Inc.
715-468-2939
[email protected]
Lori Katcher
Rice Lake Weighing Systems Human Resources Supervisor
715-434-5300
[email protected]