January 20, 2010 - Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) Director Stanley "Skip" Pruss today announced an award of $547,902 through DELEG's bureau, Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS), to Western Michigan University (WMU) to establish a Rehabilitation Internship/Employment Recruitment Model Program.
"We're committed to training and hiring the most qualified candidates in rehabilitation counseling," said Pruss. "Increasing the employability of all Michigan workers, including those with disabilities is our top priority."
The project will provide funded internships with MRS for students in rehabilitation counseling programs at Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and Northern Illinois University. The WMU Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology (CECP) will serve as administrator of the grant and will work in collaboration with the MRS Workforce Improvement/Central and Northern Division. All 36 MRS offices statewide may benefit from the rehabilitation counselor internship and recruitment program.
State of the art distance learning technology will be used along with on-line clinical supervision training modules for MRS rehabilitation counselors. Students who successfully complete the internship program will be recruited by MRS to fill entry-level rehabilitation counselor positions.
Pruss said there is a growing need for qualified rehabilitation counselors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the need for vocational rehabilitation professionals will increase 23 percent between 2006 and 2016. MRS' staff currently includes 265 certified master's-degreed rehabilitation counselors who provide individualized employment services to people with disabilities in all 83 Michigan counties.
"In fiscal year 2009, more than 6,900 MRS customers successfully closed in employment at an accelerated job placement rate and at a higher average starting wage," said Pruss. "More than 3,000 Michigan employers looked to MRS for help in finding and retaining qualified workers. We want to build on that by expanding our base of highly trained rehabilitation counselors."
MRS operates under the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and Title IV of the Workforce Improvement Act. The grant is comprised of 78.7% federal funds and 21.3% state and local funds. The federal portion is funded under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. MRS assists individuals with disabilities in preparing for, and finding, competitive employment, as well as exploring the possibilities of self-employment or owning a small business.
Read more releases from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
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