KRESA MJC-RS: A Collaborative Transition Partnership
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Contact
Beth Steenwyk
Transition Specialist
Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA)
Croyden Avenue School
4606 Croyden Avenue
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49006
Phone: 616-373-5791
Fax: 616-373-5725
Email: bsteenwy@remc12.k12.mi.us
Website: www.remc12.k12.mi.us/kresa
Mission
The mission of the KRESA MJC-RS partnership is to provide students with adult employment related services and linkages to community services prior to school exit. The effectiveness of the project is enhanced by the individualized approach that has been designed to meet student needs. Referrals to the project are made within a student’s local district or school program and project staff work collaboratively with: students, family members, local school staff, agency staff and members of the business community to facilitate a smooth transition and positive employment outcomes for each client. The project mission is enriched by the overlap and active involvement of both school and rehabilitation staff.
Organization
Organization Type: Education Agency - Regional or Intermediate or Local; Rehabilitation Agency - Local
Geographical Area: Metropolitan Area - County
Primary Setting: High School, Community college, Regular education class, Competitive employment worksite, Supported employment worksite, Sheltered employment worksite, Post-secondary special education program
Funding: No special external funding source
Consumers
Target Population: Adults with disabilities, Youth who have dropped out of school With disabilities, Secondary education students With disabilities, Teachers or faculty - Secondary education and Postsecondary education, Community service providers, Parents, Business people or employer, Other youth - Adjudicated
Disability Areas: All disabilities
NTA Framework Categories
Description
The local school districts and programs of Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) and the local district office of Michigan Jobs Commission-Rehabilitation Services (MJC-RS) entered into a cash match agreement which generated a sum of money to provide adult rehabilitation services to students while they are still in school. This agreement serves all students with disabilities in the county of Kalamazoo. Specifically, the students eligible for service are those who have achieved junior or senior status due to accrual of graduation credit, or who are within two years of exiting school. It is the intent of this cash match agreement that all students with disabilities leaving school would have the opportunity to link up with adult service agencies prior to leaving the safety net of the schools.
Specific to MJC-RS is the goal of securing employment in the community. Local district staff is actively involved in referring students for Vocational Rehabilitation Services and providing direct services to students related to securing employment in the community. Upon referral, students participate in a student-focused orientation meeting, and are encouraged by project staff to initiate and develop their individualized goals and a comprehensive plan for achievement. The unique blending of an instructional specialist and a rehabilitation counselor greatly enhances the understanding of both systems.
Critical to project goals and activities is the participation in a variety of community partnerships. Project staff meet with district parent advisory and school improvement teams and are members of the County Wide Work Team, Community Transition Network and State Advisory boards. An outgrowth of the project was the formation of Project 97, 98, and 99, a collaborative school-agency team focusing on person-directed service planning. This annual project is a Tri-Party agreement between Community Mental Health Agencies, Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Kalamazoo County Public Schools to facilitate effective and smooth transition from school to the adult world. These initiatives have created opportunities for all participants to recognize the need to continue to share responsibilities, be creative and "color outside the lines".
Evidence of Success
Success Story
The stories shared here are by no means complete, these are individuals who continue to accept the rights and responsibilities of community membership. What these individuals all have in common is the opportunity to have had unique transition services developed and provided for them while they were still in school. The collaborative project between the schools and vocational rehabilitation encourages the design of individual services for student clients as they approach exiting the educational environment. Each of these young people has participated in designing their own services with the assistance of project staff. We have all benefited from the experience to work as a team to determine, strive for and attain goals. Share with us some of the success stories:
Mary is a young woman who has realized her dream of owning her own business. Being a person with cerebral palsy and learning to manage some of the physical limitations has been Mary’s life-long challenge. Mary is now living in her own apartment and operating her own desk-top publishing business. Mary makes greeting cards and is becoming increasingly proficient in using her desktop publishing software.
Robert’s transition story began three and a half years ago when his father suddenly passed away. Robert was left alone with his mother to begin finding their way through the maze of Social Security, work and life without major financial support. Today Robert is a young man who has successfully transitioned into a part-time job with a food-service and catering company. He works at the local community college and participates as a full member of the staff. He is supported by his family and natural supports on the job.
Barb came to the project as an employed person who was experiencing a great deal of difficulty on her job. After much counseling and soul-searching Barb was able to realize that she was unhappy in her job situation and was assisted in appropriately terminating her employment. Barb was also validated by the acknowledgment of her struggle with depression. She has been receiving treatment and counseling which has enabled Barb to assume an active role in seeking her own employment and assisting her family through the illness and death of her grandfather. Barb is now working in the area of horticulture, a career path she has always been interested in.
Jan received nurse’s aid vocational training while she was a junior in high school. When it came time to sit for her certification test her family could not afford the expense. Jan came to the project with a specific need of completing her certification requirements and assistance in securing employment. Jan passed her certification requirements, secured a full-time nurse aid position, completed high school and is now employed with benefits as a member of a nursing home staff.
Mark was interested in pursuing a trade when he completed his high school graduation requirements in the center-based post secondary program. Mark was assisted in securing employment in his chosen trade and is now attending Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) to further his education in his chosen career path. Many others, like Mark, have been afforded the opportunity to attend MCTI to further their education in a trade of their choice. The project has increased referrals to MCTI tenfold over the last three years,
Jeremy was a young man who had difficulty maintaining employment. Jeremy was assisted in learning about employer expectations, in securing appropriate employment opportunities for himself and managing himself in an employment setting. Jeremy is now working full-time, with benefits, at a local mill shop.
Joan and Andrew are two students who were assisted with counseling to go on to college or university programs. Joan is working on her elementary education degree while Andrew is working on his engineering degree. These two young people were guided through the labyrinth of financial aid, disability management, college scheduling and tips on living independently. We hope that they will soon join the ranks of the employed when they complete their college careers.
Products
Transition Success Stories • For purchase contact Beth Steenwyk @ 616-373-5791 or bsteenwy@remc12.k12.mi.us • 30 minute video tape of students telling their personal stories of transition and where they are now.
Student/Parent Guide to Transition (will be completed in Fall of 1999.) • For purchase contact Beth Steenwyk @ 616-373-5791 or bsteenwy@remc12.k12.mi.us • Comprehensive guide to services, trouble spots and things to think about with regard to Transition.