Kelsey Masserant, Ali Coyne, and Collin McGran
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MCTI is a part of Michigan Rehabilitation Services.
MCTI has provided training for adults with
disabilities in Michigan since 1944.
◦ Helps students explore career options
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Campus on the shores of Pine Lake in southwestern
Barry County.
◦ 72 acres of scenic countryside
For eligible adults who have a physical or mental disability,
tuition and room and board in the dormitory are free.
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All classrooms, dormitory rooms, cafeteria, library
and leisure services are located in one building for
easy accessibility out of the weather.
◦ Two and three-bedroom housing complex and daycare
center are available near campus for students with families.
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Students must be 18 years of age or older.
MCTI operates on four 10-week terms per year
beginning in late August/early September and
running through the second week in July.
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We interviewed Karen Pohja, Director of Instruction
at MCTI via phone conversation.
Karen was able to give a detailed account of many
aspects of MCTI, but due to legal issues could not
allow a recorded interview.
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MCTI is one small piece of Michigan Rehabilitation
Services (MRS)
To join MCTI you must first be eligible for MRS
◦ To be eligible for MRS you must have a documented
disability that prevents you from finding and maintaining a
job on your own.
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Once you join MRS you are assigned a Vocational
Counselor. This person helps you write your
Individualized Plan of Employment. (IPE)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLRjwhwJuXM
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IPE:
◦ Roadmap of vocational experience
◦ May outline vocational guidance and counseling,
training, referral to other agencies for services or
assistive technologies
◦ Only requires the individual and a counselor
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IEP:
◦ Under FAPE and applies in the school setting
◦ More people are required at the meeting
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BOTH:
◦ Identify goals, are ongoing, become law and must be
followed
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The specific goal of MCTI is to prepare students for entry
level career employment.
The requirements students are expected to meet in each
program directly reflect the requirements expected in
that job field.
◦ Strict attendance policies, communication skills, etc.
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Students receive vocational training within their
program, but they also receive training in other fields
necessary to receiving and maintaining a job.
◦ Job interview skills, resume building tools, practice job
interviews, trade instructors help find placements, how to
manage work time vs. leisure time.
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Communication, Communication, Communication!
MCTI offers a “family of support”. With the dorms,
counselors, leisure services, cafeteria, etc. all located
in one building it is for staff to communicate with
each other about each students progress and needs.
New students may take a “Step Up” program, which
is a prevocational training program that helps them
develop the skills needed in successfully participate
in occupational training.
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The core of all the training programs are based on
industry standards, so accommodations also match
these standards.
Accommodations include:
◦ Visual plus hearing accessible textbooks
◦ Deadlines can me extended within reason of the program
◦ Universal design is used whenever applicable
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No program changes without input from the head
director of MRS.
◦ MCTI is only a small part of all the services MRS has to
offer, therefore MRS plays a major part in developing the
programs
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Programs changed based on Labor Market Statistics
The point of MCTI is to prepare students for an
entry level career placement in a field they will be
successful in. Therefore, the programs are designed
based on the current job markets and industry
standards.
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If you refer your students to MCTI, make sure they
are motivated and understand what it takes to
participate in their chosen program.
Make sure they understand they will be living in a
dorm with a roommate and two suitemates whom
they will share a bathroom with.
Show them the importance of academics
◦ Ex: Help the future mechanics understand there is quite a
bit of math involved in the Automotive Technology program
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MCTI is only a small portion of all the services MRS has
to offer
96% program completion and placement rate
One of the best aspects of MCTI is their communication
with the students, between staff members, and with
employers.
Student to staff ratio is 10:1 average with 12:1 as the
highest. This fosters personal relationships between
staff and student.
Students are generally from Michigan, have some sort of
postsecondary completion (diploma, GED) although it is
not necessary, and do not have prior vocational training.
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CRC is made up of 4 programs:
◦ Career Assessment Services
 Holistic, comprehensive vocational evaluation program
◦ Education Center
 Strengthen and improve academic performance while enrolled in
trade training. (Ex. Reading and math programs)
◦ Reading Clinic
 literacy assessment as well as a full-time adult literacy
program and specific need courses.
◦ Step-Up
 5- to 10-week prevocational, skill development program
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All designed to improve students’ reading, math, basic computer, and
employability skills so they may achieve success in one of MCTI’s
training programs or obtain immediate employment.
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MCTI Rehabilitation Services
◦ Each student assigned to a rehab counselor for help
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Health Services
◦ Nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, etc available to
students by appointment
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Residential Services
◦ Students stay in dormitories and share suites with assigned
roommates. Residential staff is on duty 24/7.
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Pine Lake Family Center
◦ Housing and daycare complex
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Accommodations and Assistive Technologies
◦ Occupational therapists help determine the student’s needs.
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Leisure services
◦ Wide variety of activities offered: swimming, boating,
fishing, biking, sports, festivals, bike trips, parties, etc.
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Student government
◦ includes, student council, student court, and hall senate.
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Students, instructors, counselors and the placement staff
work as a team to achieve the ultimate goal of employment.
The staff also works closely with employers throughout the
state to promote the quantity and quality of job placements.
Job Seeking Skills: a required course designed to help the
student conduct a successful job search and introduces the
student to the job search process and techniques to overcome
employment barriers.
◦ Some services provided:
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Practice applications and interviews
Resume and cover letter preparation
Job-search videos and Internet access
Statewide newspapers and business directories
Leads on job openings
Telephone and fax machine use
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Group activity
Separate into your presentation groups and
brainstorm some careers/jobs that you could study
within the given program.
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14 different programs involving various skills/abilities, and
outlooks.
Automotive Technology
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Cabinetmaking/Millwork
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Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
Culinary Arts
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Custodial
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Customer Service
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Electronics
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◦ Auto parts repair specialist, electrical tech, brake tech, etc.
◦ Woodworking machinist, specialist, carpenter, etc.
◦ Cook, food service worker, cook’s helper, utility manager
◦ Custodial support worker, custodian
◦ Information, customer service, general office clerks, business support
specialist
◦ Electronic technician, installer, etc.
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Graphic Communications
◦ Screen printer, press assistant
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Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping
Machine Technology
◦ Machine operator, welder, CNC operator/machinist
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Pharmacy (tech)
Office Automation
◦ Cable installer, copier repair tech, network support tech
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Retail Marketing
◦ Stock clerk, cashier, sales assistant, first-line supervisor
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Weatherization (installer)
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http://www.polleverywhere.com/my/polls#!/my/p
olls
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Services, Michigan Rehabilitation. "Michigan Career
& Technical Institute." Department of Human
Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012.