RENFREW COUNTY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
RCDSB launches Eastern Ontario's First Project SEARCH program, in partnership with Pembroke Regional Hospital, PMFRC, and Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley

The Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) has launched Project SEARCH, an internationally recognized employment training program designed to help youth with disabilities that may cause barriers to entering the workforce to secure competitive employment. This program is being delivered in partnership with the Pembroke Regional Hospital (PRH), the Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre (PMFRC), and Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley (CLUOV).

A total of five RCDSB students began the program in September, marking the first to benefit from this model, which has achieved a 70 percent employment success rate globally.

Based at Pembroke Regional Hospital, Project SEARCH offers students in their final year of high school a 10-month workplace immersion. Participants complete three on-site internships in a variety of departments. Each day begins with classroom instruction on employability skills, while also touching on life skills and navigating social spaces.

"Project SEARCH provides RCDSB students with meaningful, hands-on workplace experiences that bridge the gap between school and employment, empowering them to build stronger skills, confidence, and independence needed for successful transitions into paid employment," said Angela McGregor-Stewart, Principal, Specialized Services, RCDSB.

Project SEARCH was developed at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1996 and has since expanded to 774 sites across 10 countries, including 22 in Canada. More than 47,000 people have participated globally.

"We're proud to see students developing valuable job skills while contributing meaningfully to hospital operations," said Bailey Kehoe, Manager of Human Resources, Pembroke Regional Hospital.

The program serves youth with disabilities who are focusing on employment after high school. It brings together educators, employment service providers, and business mentors to ensure participants are job-ready upon graduation in June 2026.

"From the first day to now, the interns have grown a remarkable amount by learning new skills and completing tasks, all while gaining confidence," said Jenn Hawes, Skills Trainer, Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley.

"I am so happy that our community came together to offer this program, and I can't wait to see the progress the interns will make by June and how it will benefit them in the workplace after!"

For the 2026-27 program, seven to eight interns will begin placement, depending on the availability of hospital internships. Families interested can contact Cindy Brash at brashc@rcdsb.on.ca or attend one of the following sessions: the virtual information sessions on December 1, 2025, and March 25, 2026, or the in-person Information session on February 5, 2026. Register here.