[nfbmi-talk] transition programs just posted with my comments

[joe harcz Comcast]

Michigan Commission for the Blind 2012 Summer Youth Programs Still Have Openings

Contact:  Susan Turney 517-241-8631,cell 517-243-3858

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

 

June 22, 2012 - This summer the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) is offering nine programs for eligible youth who are blind or visually impaired.

All of these programs are opportunities for youth to prepare for independence and the transition from high school to postsecondary education or employment.

At this time there are still openings available, and participants may enroll after the program start date with approval from MCB program staff. For more

information on a specific program, please contact the MCB staff person listed.

 

June 6 - August 31, Career Club (Lansing area) : This program is sponsored by Peckham, Inc., Eaton and Ingham intermediate school districts, and the Michigan

Commission for the Blind and is open to youth in Eaton and Ingham counties. Participants in this program will explore careers, learn about individual strengths

and interests, work on team-building skills, develop a career plan, discuss work skills and ethics, practice interviewing, learn how to complete job applications,

develop job-seeking skills, and have fun. For more information, contact Beth White at (517) 335-5521.

 

June 8 - August 31, Summer Employment Excursion (Flint area): Sponsored by the Genesee Intermediate School District and the Michigan Commission for the

Blind, this program provides students with the opportunity to explore career possibilities, develop resumes, discuss adult daily living skills, improve

socialization skills, job shadow, gain valuable work experience, and work with mentors in the community who have disabilities. For more information, contact

Danielle Smith at (810) 760-2036.

 

June 11 - August 10, Business Enterprise Program Summer Work Opportunity Program (various Michigan locations): This food service and vending internship

in MCB's Business Enterprise Program is for blind and visually impaired high school and college students ages 15-21. Interns will be paid $7.40 per hour,

are expected to work 20-30 hours each week, and may work up to 10 weeks. The program will provide participants with an opportunity to experience working

under supervision, learn work requirements, and develop work skills. For more information, contact the MCB counselor for your area or Lucy Edmonds at (517)

373-3459.

 

June 18-28, Summer in the City (Grand Rapids): This two-week program will focus on pre-employment skills development for youth who are blind or visually

impaired. For more information, contact Michelle Visscher at (616) 356-0180.

 

June 19 - August 17, Detroit Summer Youth Program:  Participants will receive training in independent living skills and technology, explore a variety of

careers, and participate in job shadowing. In addition, they will have the opportunity to work in local agencies and organizations up to 20 hours a week.

For more information, contact Phyllis Njoroge at (313) 456-1646.

 

June 28 - August 1, College Prep (Kalamazoo): The College Prep program provides students who are blind or visually impaired with the opportunity for a college

experience prior to becoming full-time students.  Students will live on the campus of Western Michigan University for the WMU Summer II semester and take

one college class for college credit. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in an on-campus work experience and other classes and workshops

designed by MCB. For more information, contact Shannon McVoy or Lisa Kisiel at (269) 337-3875.

 

July 9 - August 10, Oakland County Summer Transition Program: Sponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind and Oakland Schools, this six-week summer

vocational prep program includes soft skills training, college exploration, and onsite work experience and social events designed to provide students with

a broader understanding of themselves and what is expected of them in today's job market. For more information, contact Tami Hough or Chris Harris at (313)

456-1646.

 

July 9-30, Macomb Summer Youth Program: During this four-week program, youth will have three weeks of paid work experience in food service, packaging, and

janitorial work.  They will also have one week of recreational activities and training in independent living and personal adjustment. For more information,

contact Cherice Castor or Tina Woods at (313) 456-1646.

 

August 14-19, Camp Transition Zone at Camp Daggett (Petoskey): During this week-long camp on beautiful Walloon Lake, participants will have opportunities

to practice creative thinking and decision making, take responsibility for tasks, develop greater self-esteem and sociability, improve listening and speaking

competencies, and more. For more information, contact Julie Clark at (989) 732-5814.

 

For more than 30 years, the Michigan Commission for the Blind has provided training and other services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired

to achieve independence and/or employment in the careers of their choice, serving approximately 3,300 state residents in fiscal year 2011.  For more information,

visit

www.michigan.gov/mcb

or call toll-free:  voice 1-800-292-4200; TTY 1-888-864-1212.

 

The Michigan Commission for the Blind is a part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

 

 For more information about LARA, please visit

www.michigan.gov/lara

 

 

(Note this was only posted June 22, 2012. Note the conflicts of interests continue with Peckham and Macomb/Oakland/New Horizons…-JH)

 

Oh by the way Leemon Jones couldn’t answer the question from Commissioner Shuck about who was running the Eaton-Ingham ISD program at the last MCB meeting on June 15 and it’s Peckham again!

 

Outragious…