Vocational Services

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

SVRC Industries has been providing vocational rehabilitation services since 1962 through a variety of different services and supports with a strong emphasis on school to work transition services.

Through assessment of skills, interests and abilities, a consumer is given the opportunity to choose a wide variety of vocational options which may include paid work training or volunteer experience.

These opportunities may include performing job tasks in an industrial operations setting, community based contractual settings, volunteer services, or community employment. A referral from an outside agency is required for services. Examples include, the State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, Community Mental Health Agency, Private Insurance Companies, and or self-referral with private pay.

We pride ourselves on customer service and satisfaction with annual surveys given to consumers, stakeholders of the agency which provide vital information for performance improvement throughout the agency. Outcome indicators have been designed for all areas of vocational rehabilitation services and are monitored on a regular basis to ensure quality, individualized services to the persons served.

For further information on services contact: Debra Snyder, Vice President of Consumer Services dsnyder@svrcindustries.com

Excellence is Our Standard

Vocational Evaluations - This service serves the purpose of identifying and measuring work-related aptitude and potential. The period and type of assessment is determined on a case-by-case basis. Examples of areas that are assessed include: vocational skillls and aptitudes, job seeking skills, and job-related skills, daily living/community survival skills. Two types are offered: a "Standardized" Vocational Evaluation, incorporating norm-reference pencil-and-paper test, along with manipulative exercises using a variety of equipment; and a Situational Assessment, a real-work evaluation involving hands-on activities engaged in by the participant as he or she completes assembly-type tasks for pay in SVRC Industries Production Department.

Work Adjustment - This short term work readiness program provides opportunities for participants to develop and refine positive work habits. Participants are allowed freedom to develop and work on these skills more independently. As in the Situational Assessment, explained above, the participant is compensated for the time they are engaged in actual work acivities.

Work Experience - This program is a short term follow-up to the Evaluation and Adjustment programs in which the participants are given even more latitude to work independently than in the Evaluation and Adjustment programs.

Through all three programs a case manager is assigned, supervision is continuously present and advice is always available to promote the autonomy of the participant.

MyChoice provides vocational training services for adults with developmental disabilities. Contracted through Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority, the MyChoice Services of SVRC Industries provide a framework for individuals to gain new insights and skills. Services are provided with a 1:8 staff to consumer ratio in a structured setting. A variety of options are available to empower individuals in reaching their fullest vocational potential. Options are a central value of planning - constructing a plan of action, with achievable outcomes that maximize individual skill development, community utilization, and customized employability options. Every individual is assisted in an Individual Plan of Service developed through the person-centered planning process to maximize his or her skill development. If you would like more information, please contact the MyChoice Manager at (989) 752-6176, Ext. 2136.

School - to - Work Transition

This service provides students with paid work experiences and a variety of opportunities to learn about employment roles and responsibilities, develop employment skills, and become acquainted with various businesses in the community. The course toward independence and community employment is designed to be as direct as possible. The specific target areas of the program are to assess vocational skills and aptitudes, attention to task, interactions with both staff/supervision and peers, ability to follow rules, direction/redirecttion, the quality of work, hygiene, as well as other areas, as recommended by the referral source. SVRC offers this program to the student population enrolled in the Saginaw Intermediate School District. A grant through the United Way Agency makes this program a reality. The funds are matched 4:1 through the various participating agencies, including: the Saginaw Intermediate School District, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth - Michigan Rehabilitation Services and SVRC Industries, Inc., to students through age 26 with special needs.

Supported Employment

Supported employment offers consumers paid training experience while working on removing significant obstacles to maintain employment. This program will place consumers out in the community while on-going support services are provided to assist them in successfully participating in a community-based rehabilitation program. As consumers develop his/her employment skills, the job coach becomes less and less involved until the consumer is on his/her own as much as possible. This includes individual supported placements in which job coaches are phased out and enclaves in which job coaches are consistently present for support. For individuals involved in supported employment, the ultimate goal is community-based employment, without the supports of job coaches, if the consumers are capable and desires movement. This is all part of the person centered process.

Job Placement - The Job Placement department coordinates and assists with the following services: Job Seeking Skills, Job Shadowing, Individual Vocational Training for high school students, Job Development, Competitive and Supported Employent (Job Search), Work Tryouts, and follow up services.

Staff also serve as a resource for task and job accomodations, orientations for employers to various aspects of ADA legislation, and referrals for services to businesses. Placement targets various aspects of job search and job retention. Entrance requirements: Not a danger to self or others, independent in self care skills, access to transportation, capable of keeping and maintaining employment.

Shiawassee Rehabilitation Program(SRP)

Shiawassee Rehabilitation Program (SRP) located in Owosso, MI offers an array of services to individuals. For individuals with disabilities the following programs are avialable:

Vocational Evaluation - standardized testing and/or situational assessment to examine vocational strengths and provide recommendations for future occupations or programming
Work Adjustment - a short term program to help address deficits which are barriers to sustaining employment
Work Services - a vocational programming of a longer time interval which assists with significant vocational barriers and problems
Community Based Training - Training opportunities in a site in the community to provide work experience in various fields of interest.

The above program options generally require a sponsoring agency to help fund the service.

Services available free of charge for all individuals include various employment and training provisions through the WIA (Workforce Investment Act) programs. Individuals who are seeking short-term training in specific fields or need assistance in securing a job can seek assistance from our SVRC - WIA program. This program also provides GED preparation, assistance with the development of a resume, help with job search techniques, as well as, assessment skills and abilities.