Resources

Project SEARCH

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.
To request services, click here.

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

University Medical Center-Jackson
Rankin County School District
Pearl School District
MS School for the Deaf/Blind

Forrest General-Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg County School District
Petal County School District
Lamar County School District

South Central Regional Medical Center-Laurel
Jones County School District
Laurel School District

King Daughters Hospital-Brookhaven
Lincoln County School District

Singing River Health-Ocean Springs
Ocean Springs School District
Jackson County School District

Merit Health-Natchez
Natchez-Adams School District

Singing River Health-Pascagoula
Pascagoula-Gautier School District

Baptist Medical Center-Kosciusko
Kosciusko / Attala School District

Keesler Air Force Base
Biloxi Public School District

Ochsner Rush Health
Lauderdale County School District
Meridian School District

Singing River Health-Gulfport
Long Beach School District
Gulfport School District

Neshoba General Hospital-Philadelphia
Neshoba County School District
Philadelphia School District

St. Dominic Hospital -Jackson
Adult Site

Viking Range-Greenwood
Leflore Christian School

Merit Health River Region-Vicksburg
Vicksburg-Warren School District

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Oxford
Lafayette School District
Oxford School District

Columbus Air Force Base
Lowndes County School District

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Olive Branch
DeSoto County School District

Baptist Hospital-Jackson
Clinton Public School District
Jackson Public School District
Madison County School District

North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo
Tupelo School District
Lee County School District
Nettleton School District
Itawamba County Schools
Pontotoc County Schools

North Mississippi Health Services-Eupora
Adult site

Milwaukee Tools-Jackson
Adult site

OCH-Regional Medical Center-Starkville
Starkville Public School District

Southwest Regional Medical Center – McComb North Pike School District
South Pike School District
McComb High School

Division of Medicaid – Jackson
Jackson Public School

J. Allen Automotive – Gulfport
Adult Site

Click HERE to download list