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Editor’s note: This story has been updated with clarifying statements from representatives of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, which facilitates Project SEARCH programs in the state. 

NATCHEZ — As cuts are being proposed to various federal programs, it seems Project SEARCH, a national program that provides 9-month-long internship opportunities for special needs students, has also taken a hit.

Administered by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, the program is a joint partnership between MDRS, a business and a school district. In Natchez, MDRS has collaborated with Merit Health Natchez and the Natchez Adams School District.

For three years, the program has exposed exceptional NASD students to real-world job experience at Merit Health Natchez and allowed the majority of them to graduate from the program with job opportunities lined up for them suited to their individual capabilities and interests.

In Mississippi, MDRS has had to reevaluate the funding sources for the program and discontinue it at sites where MDRS was the sole source of funds, at least for the upcoming academic year.

This is not the case for other locations with multiple funding sources for the program, according to MDRS.

“MDRS is following updated guidance from our federal funding partners, which clarified that we may not serve as the sole financial contributor to Project SEARCH programs moving forward,” said Jennifer Gray, communications director at MDRS. “This clarification prompted a necessary review of host site partnerships to ensure compliance. As a result, some host sites that were previously fully funded by MDRS are being paused for the 2025–2026 year, however, other sites are moving forward with active partnership and alternative funding arrangements.

“The program itself is not discontinued, and MDRS continues to support its mission and the students it serves,” Gray continued. “In fact, counseling and placement services for students will continue through Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), and we are working closely with host sites, schools, and families to offer guidance and support during this transition. We remain fully committed to the goals and mission of Project SEARCH. Students affected by this change will continue to receive services through our Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) programs.”

In a statement, Dr. Jennifer Jackson, Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation at MDRS, recognized the impact of the program on students and families and expressed a commitment to finding a sustainable path forward.

“We understand the deep impact Project SEARCH has on students and families,” Jackson said. “This program has changed lives, and that’s why our agency is focused on finding a sustainable path forward. We remain committed to counseling, job placement, and supporting students as they work toward employment and independence.”

Ronnie Calhoun, who teaches at the Natchez program, said he was taken by surprise when he received a call stating that there were no funds to support it.

That meant he had to call six families who had already been accepted and ready to start in August and tell them that the program wasn’t happening.

Though saddened by the news, Calhoun said these families were “very understanding” and are hopeful that the program might continue in the future.

“They’re saying it’ll come back next year,” he said.

Calhoun added that, if possible, he would look for other opportunities to raise $50,000 to $75,000 needed to shoestring the program’s budget for this year. “With God, anything is possible,” he said.

At a lot of sites, MDRS and the school systems split the financial burden. However, “Most of ours was MDRS,” Calhoun said. “They just said the first grant came through, and the second one never did. It was expected, but didn’t come through. I would love to figure out a way to make this work, but it takes money. I can’t go to work for 10 months for free, even though I’d love to. I’d starve to death in the process. I’m just praying that it comes back for 2027. I feel terrible for the ones that sit and wait another year when a year from now their life could look very different. I’m fighting for these kids.”

Natchez Adams School District Superintendent Zandra McDonald said the district also is “saddened at the loss of Project SEARCH and will be exploring opportunities to continue that program for the exceptional students who need those opportunities.”

However, the school district this year is looking to increase the ad valorem tax contribution by 3 percent to make up for a $2.8 million deficit.

This is because the federal government chose to halt the liquidation of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds provided to school districts to address COVID-19 mitigation and learning loss.

“We’re not certain what is possible,” McDonald said of funding Project SEARCH.

The district has submitted paperwork to the Department of Education detailing how funds were used for that purpose in an effort to get reimbursed, but was not given a timeline of when the state will have an answer, McDonald said.