Employment Supports

ASPPIRE is a vendor for Michigan Rehabilitaion Services (MRS) and The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP). An individual must have an open case with MRS or BSBP prior to receiving employment services from ASPPIRE.

 

Job Development Services Offered

  • Job Readiness
    • Involves meeting with the individual to identify “dream jobs”, “okay jobs”, and “no way jobs”. Gather information that is disability specific and identify potential barriers and, assist with job search preparation skills (i.e., applications, resume/cover letters, mock interviews, transportation, time management, self-determination, and communication skills).
  • Career Exploration
    • Using the O*NET Interest Profiler, the individual will explore interests and how they relate to the world of work. This will help the individual decide what kinds of careers they might want to explore and skills they will need to develop. The individual will receive a customized report, explore hundreds of jobs, and critically investigate three career paths.
  • Job Shadows/Informational Interviews
    • Involves meeting with the individual(s) to determine local employers or careers they are interested in learning about. Businesses are contacted and arrangements are made for visits. Up to 3 visits will be made, dependent upon individual interest. This service can be offered individually or in small groups.
  • OJE – Work Experience
    • An OJE, otherwise referred to as a “work experience” is a cooperation between ASPPIRE and a willing employer that helps an individual obtain limited work experience. Work experiences are typically 20 hrs per week and last up to four weeks, being no more than 80 hours in total.
    • Weekly updates will be provided with information gathered from the job coach, co-workers and supervisors on work production, social interactions and ability to navigate the environment.
  • WBLE – Work Based Learning Experience is a Pre-ETS service, (Pre-Employment Transition Services, for individuals ages 14-26 currently enrolled in secondary, post-secondary or other recognized education programs).
    • WBL experiences include instruction in self advocacy, workplace readiness training, job exploration, and 40 hours of paid work experience from a 2-6 week period including a skills trainer at one or two locations. The program begins with an intake and goes through major points in the Disability 411 curriculum and ends with a real-life work experience. This program provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in a competitive integrated environment and begin to understand their interests and preferences as it relates to employment.
  • Person Centered Vocational Inventory (PCVI)
    • A comprehensive report including a clinical interview based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model and administration of a Transferable Skills Analysis (TSA), Gallup’s StrengthsFinder 2.0, and John Holland’s Standard SelfDirected Search (SDS). Additionally, a lunch outing is conducted to observe social appropriateness, money management, and other perceivable interactions. The PCVI provides all the pertinent information necessary to create a plan around an individual and truly have in depth knowledge of who the person is and what they want to achieve through Vocational Rehabilitation services. All reports include DOT, SOC, and Holland Codes; additionally, they contain federal and Michigan growth along with median wages with real life job postings to predict labor market information. This report includes recommendations for future directions.
  • Person Centered Plan (PCP)
    • Through a facilitated person-centered planning process, the individual and their support team will identify dreams, goals, current progress, supports, and strengths. Using this process, necessary services and supports are identified to further ensure the individual’s ability to meet their annual goals. The PCP facilitator encourages the team to listen, learn and take part in the process so that the individual can get what they want in their life. An individual report is provided. This service can be offered individually or in small groups. 
  • Job Placement
    • Involves meeting with the individual to determine potential employment sites. Job development activities may include: 
      • Employer contact (in-person, phone and on-line contacts) & follow-up 
      • Individual visits to potential employment sites
      • Application process assistance
      • Preparation for interview process
      • Assistance with transportation arrangements
      • Coordination of employment start date and communication with necessary team members
      • Regular updates through the support of job development services
  • Job Coaching
    • All job coaches have been provided information on task analysis, communicating with individuals, strategies to overcome employment barriers, and fading techniques. Job coaches are in regular contact with site supervisors and employment specialists to ensure ongoing communication and support. Job coaches track time used and submit detailed reports that are beneficial for future services and considerations.
  • Retention
    • Supports may include:
      • Regular contact with employer (supervisor) and individual
      • Identification of accommodations as needed
      • Arrangement for job coach (if needed)
      • Ongoing supports for individual to ensure continual improvement and successful employment
      • Regular updates