Vocational Training Programs Available in Livingston County
Students with disabilities often need support in identifying strengths, challenges and access to employment. Several programs are offered throughout the local districts - some during the school year and others during the summer months, to offer avenues for career exploration and work readiness. Many are made available as a collaboration between Michigan Rehabiliation Services, local school districts and Livingston Educational Service Agency.
Work Readiness Assessment Program (WRAP)
The Work Readiness Assessment Program is a work based learning program for students with disabilities, which provides an assessment in three work settings over a school year, while reinforcing these skills in the classroom.
Students are identified by their IEP team and this course becomes part of their school schedule for the year. For more information, click on the following link to see a program flyer:
DNR Summer Youth Employment Program
Each summer, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources – Parks and Recreation Division, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and education agencies have partnered to make possible paid job training experiences for youth with disabilities. This initiative includes work sites at state parks or recreation areas across Michigan. These paid summer experiences help build confidence through valuable real-world training for students.
In Livingston County, students with disabilities are working at the Island Lake Recreation Area or the Brighton Recreation Area. Students focus on developing essential employability skills, like problem solving or teamwork, and perform basic maintenance duties around the park or recreation area. It’s a great first job experience, plus it’s for pay.
For more information, contact your student's high school special education staff or the LESA Transition Coordinator.
Summer Challenge
The Summer Challenge program was designed to offer students with social-communication disabilities an opportunity to explore the post secondary environments of college coursework and employment, while applying concepts unique to their challenges. Participants learn what skills are needed to be successful in these settings, while gathering information around their own unique strengths, challenges and needed supports for these post secondary goals. The program is made possible as part of a cooperative agreement between Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Livingston Educational Service Agency, Work Skills Corporation, and Mott Community College Livingston Center. For more information:
Adult Transition Services
Vocational Training
LESA Adult Transition Services focus on supporting young adults to develop skills necessary to advocate for themselves in their daily lives (i.e. community participation, daily living skills, vocational skills).
The purpose of vocational training is to teach employability skills. Teaching these skills within a business setting produces optimal
results for student achievement.
LESA job coaches facilitate teaching job skills and expectations by performing tasks unique to community businesses.
