The Grandparent Autism Network (GAN) was instrumental in getting Project Search, an international job training program for people with disabilities, established at CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). GANs founder, Bonnie Gillman, and her late husband, Dr. Sherwin Gillman, supported a 5 year effort to initiate the program there. Tom Capizzi, the VP of HR, Dr. Nick Anas, the Medical Director of pediatric critical care and Dr. Maria Minon, Chief Medical Officer at CHOC were very supportive in establishing the program at CHOC. 

The program will begin in April 2016. Ten adults with developmental disabilities will receive job training with the goal of either gaining employment for the participants at the hospital, or elsewhere, utilizing their newly acquired skills.

The Project Search program at CHOC will bring hope to the many families that have children with developmental disabilities being treated at CHOC. and it is a new way for CHOC to increase resources and support for the families in Orange County it serves.

Project Search is an international program that was initiated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996. Its primary objective is to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities. Learn more about this program which has grown to more than 300 sites world-wide by watching the video below.