School-to-Work Transition

Studies have shown that transition for students with disabilities can be successful when systems work together while a student is in high school (Taylor, Morgan & Callow-Heusser, 2016). Toward that end, Partners for Employment facilitates collaboration, training, and program development for school-to-work professionals across New Mexico.

School-to-Work Transition Teams

PFE facilitates School-to-Work Transition Teams (SWTT) in eight regions throughout New Mexico. SWTT meetings bring together local school districts, NMDVR counselors, DD-waiver representatives, community service providers, and post-secondary programs who all have a role in supporting successful post-secondary outcomes of students with disabilities. Each SWTT meeting addresses a school-to-work transition issue or resource in New Mexico, and shares up-to-the-minute information from state and local stakeholders.

Meeting Links

All meetings will take place via ZOOM.

Spring 2025

Join our mailing list for dates and registration links to all upcoming SWTT meetings.

Project SEARCH

Project SEARCH is a one-year school-to-work internship program for 18-21 year old students with disabilities on the ability or modified graduation pathway. Project SEARCH is an evidence-based national school-to-work transition model that has met with incredible success and has been implemented throughout the US and around the world.

The entire program takes place at a host business and is a full collaboration between a local school district, New Mexico Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (NMDVR), NM Health Care Authority/Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD), a local long term provider agency, a local host business, and the UNM Center for Development and Disability Partners for Employment (UNM CDD PFE).

Through braided funding and combined resources, these agencies work together to provide education and support to students for three 10-week rotations over the course of the year. Students learn different employability skills in each rotation, with the overall goal of obtaining competitive employment by the end of the internship.

Current New Mexico Project SEARCH Sites:

Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo
University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque
Embassy Suites Hotel, Albuquerque
City of Deming, Deming (launching fall, 2025)
City of Farmington, Farmington
The Hive Education Center, Gadsden
Hilton Garden Inn, Gallup
Presbyterian Rust Medical Center, Rio Rancho
Central Consolidated School District, Shiprock

Interested in learning more about Project SEARCH?

If you are a transition-age student or family member interested in applying to one of New Mexico’s nine Project SEARCH programs, please contact Alex Rios at aerios@salud.unm.edu.
National Project SEARCH website
“Project SEARCH 101” video – a 20-minute overview for sharing with prospective partners and stakeholders.