Project SEARCH
Kelly Almasy has extensive experience in educational and supportive roles, currently serving as a Life Skills Coach at Easter Seals of New Jersey since 2006. Additionally, Kelly has been with Y.A.L.E. School since September 2002, holding various titles including Project SEARCH Skills Trainer and Teaching Assistant. In the context of the Project SEARCH initiative, Kelly has been a Skills Trainer since August 2015 and continues in this capacity. Prior experience includes working as a Teacher’s Assistant at Somerdale Park Elementary School from September 1998 to September 2002. Kelly's educational background includes studies at Camden County College, Gordon Phillips Beauty School from 1987 to 1989, and completion of Sterling High School.
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Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH was developed at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, a research environment that fosters visionary thinking and innovation. It all began in 1996, when Erin Riehle was Director of Cincinnati Children's Emergency Department. Erin felt that, because the hospital served individuals with developmental disabilities, it made sense that they should commit to hiring people in this group. She wondered if it would be possible to train people with developmental disabilities to fill some of the high-turnover, entry level positions in her department, which involved complex and systematic tasks such as stocking supply cabinets. As a starting point, Erin presented her ideas to Susie Rutkowski, then the special education director at Great Oaks Career Campuses. Erin and Susie formed a partnership that was instantaneous, and together they launched Project SEARCH. Since its inception, Project SEARCH has grown from a single program site at Cincinnati Children's to over 600 sites across the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Portugal, Iceland, New Zealand and Australia. Project SEARCH's primary objective is to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities.