Jefferson Health helps Y.A.L.E. School students turn potential into purpose – and even into health care careers.
The groundbreaking national Project SEARCH program, now in its 10th year at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, empowers young adults with disabilities to train for and achieve competitive employment. The Y.A.L.E. School Project SEARCH program at Jefferson Health is a full-day, 10-month transition-to-work initiative, and has been recognized internationally for extraordinary employment outcomes. For students who accept this challenge in their final year of special education — typically age 21 –the opportunity is transformational.
“Students arrive cautious and wide-eyed,” says Frank Rocco, MSN, RN, NE-BC, VP of Operations, Jefferson Stratford Hospital and Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital. “By graduation, interns confidently walk around the hospital because of how they’ve acclimated.”
Jefferson Leadership and Y.A.L.E. School Support Lift Student Success
Frank played a key role in Jefferson Health’s adoption of Project SEARCH in 2016 and assumed formal program leadership in December 2023. Y.A.L.E. School educators work with Jefferson’s Human Resources team to lead students in a month-long orientation. Jefferson welcomes interns with a signing ceremony, where students put “pen to paper” to start their journey.
With ongoing support and guidance from Y.A.L.E. and Jefferson staff, interns work five days a week, rotating through three 10-week rotations in hospital departments: Pharmacy, Patient Transport, Environmental Services, Linens, Food Service, Facilities, Storeroom, Surgical Services, Central Processing, Health Information Management, and the Emergency Department. Students learn real-world skills for competitive employment and staff, patients, and their family members love interacting with them.
“We originally had ‘to sell’ participation in the program,” explains Frank. “Now managers ask us for interns.”
Program Provides On-the-Job Exposure and Opportunity
Participants often have the opportunity to select a department matching their interests or strengths for their third rotation. Sometimes, managers ask for specific interns to return.
“They recognize the value interns bring to the team,” says Frank. “The experience is essentially a 10-month, on-the-job interview, especially if students are interested in working for us.”
More than 90% of graduates have found meaningful employment in their communities, including at Jefferson, which has hired 35% of the program’s graduates. “If we don’t have an opening that fits their skills, we consider them for future opportunities,” says Frank.
Project SEARCH – Jefferson Health Partnership Continues to Evolve
This year, interns were introduced to rotations with nurses and patient care technicians on nursing floors, creating immersive experiences in teamwork and empathy.
“Interns help develop best practices, enhance collaboration, strengthen our culture, and bring fresh perspectives,” says Frank. “We see positive stories in patient survey responses in which respondents mention interns by name.”
He credits collaboration with the partners who make the program possible and support interns, providing resources and ensuring their success: NJ DVRS, NJ DDD, and Samost Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern NJ.
Frank often has lunch with interns to discover what’s important to them. He recalls one student wanted to learn anything possible about him to get to know him.
“I learned he played ice hockey and has a car he really loves. He was really outgoing,” says Frank, who was proud when that student became the first Project SEARCH intern to secure a job as a pharmacy technician at Jefferson Stratford Hospital.
“Every graduation, parents thank us for the opportunity and share how their young adult has grown. Our mission at Jefferson Health is ‘We improve lives,’” Frank explains. “Participating in Project SEARCH does more than give hardworking interns opportunities to discover career paths. It makes our team better, enhances the care we provide, and benefits our broader community overall. Employees appreciate that we’re giving back to the community as we build our pipeline of talented staff.”
Project SEARCH applicants include students enrolled at Y.A.L.E. School and students whose sending school districts refer them to Y.A.L.E. In addition to the program at Jefferson, Novo Nordisk partners with Y.A.L.E. as a business host for a Project SEARCH program at its Plainsboro campus.
For more information about Project SEARCH at Jefferson Health New Jersey, including 2026-2027 application and guidelines, see below.