Project SEARCH is a High School Transition Program that provides education and training to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Project SEARCH was first developed in 1996 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to provide employment and education opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities. In 2010, Project SEARCH was replicated in northern Idaho through collaboration between Kootenai Health, the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Coeur d’Alene School District.

Our Mission: Project SEARCH is dedicated to providing education and training to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through an innovative workforce and career development model that benefits the individual, the workplace and our community. Our primary goal is to secure competitive employment outcomes for each of our students.

High School Transition: Project SEARCH s a one-year educational program for students with disabilities. Participants have met all academic requirements for graduation and spend a school year reporting to the Project SEARCH host business, Kootenai Health, where they learn the skills needed to obtain competitive community employment at the conclusion of the program.

Project SEARCH combines classroom time with a school year-long unpaid internship at Kootenai Health. This combination of instruction and immersion in the workplace setting thoroughly prepares interns to meet employer expectations.

In addition to classroom learning on employability and independent living skills, each student will spend four hours per day working in an internship. Project SEARCH students gain experience working in a variety of settings including: equipment transportation, nutrition services, housekeeping, child care, laundry, out-patient rehabilitation, central supply, transportation/courier services, patient units, and grounds.

There are three 9- to 10-week internships during the school year.

Project SEARCH 2026-2027 Application is Available!

Applications are due February 6, 2026

Other Important Dates

December 3, 2025 Project SEARCH Information Night 4PM

December 17, 2025 Project SEARCH 1st Internship Presentation 4PM

February 17-19 and 23-26 2026 Applicant Interviews Scheduled for the 2026-27 Project SEARCH Program

March 26, 2026 Project SEARCH 2nd Internship Presentation 4PM

Contact Information

Instructor: Theresa Moran tmoran@cdaschools.org

Skills Trainer: Melissa Decker: mdecker@cdaschools.org

Project SEARCH Office: 208-625-5799

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 deferred graduation

• Have achieved second- or third-grade reading and math levels

• Be eligible for vocational rehabilitation

• Maintain appropriate behavior and social skills

• Have basic communication skills

• Take directions from the supervisor

• Pass drug screening and felony check and have up-to-date immunizations

• Be independent about personal hygiene, toileting and feeding skills

• Have previous work experience (including school, volunteer or paid work)

• Be willing to access public transportation

• Be willing to make a commitment to competitive employment upon program completion

Program Objectives: The High School Transition program prepares interns for employment in the community. During this program interns will:

• Receive classroom instruction on employability and independent living skills

• Participate in three internships.

• Work with a skills trainer and host mentor to learn how to perform internship tasks independently

• Engage in job development activities

• Graduate with the skills needed to obtain a community job that aligns with their vocational goals

Theresa Moran has been the Project SEARCH Instructor since the program began in 2010 at Kootenai Health. She is employed by the Coeur d’Alene School District. Theresa has been teaching special education for over 30 years. She has her Master of Education in Human Relations and Counseling and an undergraduate degree in Special Education. 

Melissa Decker was hired in 2025 as the skills trainer for Project SEARCH. She has been dedicated to special education in the Coeur d'Alene School District since 2013. She spent 10 years as a Behavior Interventionist in Extended Resource programs and the past 3 years as a Life Skills special education teacher.

Visit the international Project SEARCH website for more information.