Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement Graduation 2026
On June 9, seven participants in the Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement (PS-AE) program proudly graduated from their internship positions during a heartfelt ceremony held at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health in White Plains. Family members, friends, and partners gathered to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable young adults.
Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement is a ten-month internship program designed for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It combines classroom instruction with hands-on job training in a clinical setting, offering interns a fully immersive workplace experience. Throughout the program, participants complete approximately 600 hours of internship rotations and 300 hours of employment readiness instruction. They gain experience in Food Services, Pharmacy, Storeroom, Paint Shop, Health Information Management, Grounds Crew, Building Services, CADB, and Information Technology
The Arc Westchester operates the local PS-AE site in collaboration with NEXT for AUTISM, NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health, and The Center for Autism and the Developing Brain (CADB). The program is supported by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), ACCES VR, and the PS-AE Business Advisory Council. Since its launch in 2016, PS-AE has empowered young adults with autism to gain valuable employability and workplace skills.
Graduation is not the end of their journey. Upon completing the internship, participants transition to The Arc Westchester’s Supported Employment Department, where they receive personalized support in finding and maintaining meaningful, paid employment in the community. Two of the graduates have already landed employment in the community!
Guest speakers at the ceremony included Nancy Fraher, PS-AE Director at The Arc Westchester; Philip J. Wilner, M.D., MBA, Senior Vice President for Behavioral Health and COO at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health, and Tibisay A. Guzman, CEO of The Arc Westchester, and Patricia Wright, PhD, MPH Executive Director, Proof Positive: Autism Wellbeing Alliance Business Advisory Council Member.
The four young men and three young women shared the experience of their personal internships, what they learned from each unique experience and their goals for what they would like to accomplish in the future. They made a video presentation of the year in review and each graduate addressed the guests and thanked their staff, internship supervisors, and families for supporting them during this journey. After their speeches, each graduate was presented with certificates to officially recognize their completion of the program. Congratulations!
