The Arc Westchester’s Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement Celebrates 11th Graduating Class

Innovative program prepares young adults with autism to enter the workforce, recognized by NewYork Presbyterian with prestigious award

On June 20 six young adults with autism graduated from Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement, an innovative program that provides training and internships to helps prepare recent high school graduates to gain meaningful employment.

“When we started the program a little over a decade ago, we never thought that it would become a national model,” Philip J. Wilner, M.D., MBA, Senior Vice President and COO NewYork Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health; Acting Chair, Department of Psychiatry Weill Cornell Medical College, said.

“It has been my privilege to watch these six individuals grow to become confident and proud graduates who are ready for employment,” Nancy Fraher, Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement Program Director, said. “The skills they learned and practiced in the PSAE Training Room and at their internship sites at NewYork Presbyterian Behavioral Health have prepared them for meaningful employment. I have enjoyed every moment with these young men and women, and wish them well in their future endeavors.”

Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement is a ten-month internship program for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It was created by NEXT for AUTISM in partnership with The Arc Westchester, NewYork-Presbyterian Behavioral Health, and The Center for Autism and the Developing Brain (CADB) and is supported by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). It offers a total immersion in the workplace, facilitating the teaching and learning process, as well as the acquisition of employability and marketable work skills. The program, which is part of The Arc Westchester’s Transition Academy, was recently honored by NewYork Presbyterian Hospital with the Excellent Employment Outcome Award. This Award is presented annually and recognized that the 2020-2021 intern cohort achieved between 70% and 90% employment. This is the second time this honor has been bestowed upon The Arc Westchester’s Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement program.

“My parting words to the graduates, take the time to continue to build your skills. The rewards will come with practice, practice and practice. Imagine the joy you will have when you become a member of a business and they recognize and value your talents,” Tibi Guzmán, Executive Director/CEO of The Arc Westchester, said.

To learn more about Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement and other innovative transition programs for young adults, visit: ArcWestchester.org.

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About The Arc Westchester

The Arc Westchester, founded in 1949, is the largest agency in Westchester County supporting children, teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum, and their families. The organization’s 850 employees provide more than 2,000 individuals throughout the county with a broad range of innovative and effective programs and services designed to foster independence, productivity and participation in community life.

The mission of The Arc Westchester is to empower children, teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum, to achieve their potential by strengthening families and encouraging personal choices, abilities and interests.

The Arc Westchester is a chapter of The Arc USA and The Arc New York.