The Illinois SEARCH curriculum consists of attending an orientation/training session, completing a community assessment, and completing a patient cultural assessment .

The purpose of the orientation session is to introduce students/residents to:

• The SEARCH program and its mission
• Community health issues
• The community health center movement
• Clinical challenges in community health centers
• Cultural competence issues

The community assessment includes completing two assessment tools- the Cultural Assessment Questionnaire and the Community Assessment inventory. By using these tools, students/residents become more aware of other issues that influence health care in a community setting.

Students/residents also have the option of participating in a Community-Oriented project that addresses some of the underlying factors that greatly influence the community’s health and health care.