Eastmont Transition Program

Project SEARCH Stemilt Staff and Interns preparing for the 2023 Special Olympics Polar Plunge!
Project SEARCH Stemilt
About Project SEARCH Stemilt
Project SEARCH is a 9 month employment preparation program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are entering their last year of school. Interns participate in three internships to explore a variety of career paths and are completely immersed into the workplace at Stemilt. This immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations as well as allowing interns to gain experience working in a variety of settings. The focus is teaching interns employability skills with the program culminating in individualized job development. The goal is for interns to gain competitive employment.
Project SEARCH was first developed in 1996 at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center to provide competitive employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today, there are over 700 programs in 10 countries. In 2022, Project SEARCH was replicated in Wenatchee, WA through collaboration between Stemilt Growers, Eastmont School District, Chelan-Douglas Developmental Disabilities Program, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Developmental Disabilities Administration and Link Transit.
PROGRAM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: The Project SEARCH application process takes place each spring. Student applicants must also meet the following requirements for consideration:
- Qualify for Special Education services
- Be between 18 and 21 years old
- Be eligible for vocational rehabilitation
- Maintain appropriate behavior and social skills
- Have basic communication skills
- Take directions from the supervisor
- Be independent about personal hygiene, toileting and feeding skills
- Be willing to access public transportation (Link Transit, Link Plus)
- Be willing to make a commitment to competitive employment upon program completion
Students applying for Project SEARCH Stemilt need to have completed all graduation requirements prior to entering the program.

Project SEARCH Brochure

Project SEARCH Brochure



Team Building at its BEST!
The Project SEARCH application process takes place each winter. Student applicants must also meet the following requirements for consideration:
- Qualify for Special Education services
- Be between 18 and 21 years old
- Be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation)
- Maintain appropriate behavior and social skills
- Have basic communication skills
- Take directions from the supervisor
- Be independent about personal hygiene, toileting and feeding skills
- Be willing to access public transportation (Link Transit, Link Plus)
- Be willing to make a commitment to competitive employment upon program completion
Questions?
Phone: 509-888-1276
Completed applications can be emailed to ProjectSEARCH@eastmont206.org or mailed to the following address:
Eastmont High School
Attn: Project SEARCH Stemilt
955 NE 3rd St.
East Wenatchee, WA 98802
Check us out on:
@ProjectSEARCHStemilt on Facebook
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Business Advisory Council (BAC) Flyer
Email: ProjectSEARCH@eastmont206.org
Michelle Sadewasser, Transition Coordinator, (509) 888-1276, sadewasserm@eastmont206.org
Tina Gorman, Transition Specialist, (509) 888-1277, gormanc@eastmont206.org
Please visit the international Project SEARCH website for more information.
Stay updated! Find us on our Facebook Page: @ProjectSEARCHStemilt
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