Specialized Services

The Workforce Develoment Agency, State of Michigan / Michigan Rehabilitation Services, works with people with a wide range of physical or mental disabilities.  A person with a disability may be eligible for these services if the disability causes problems in preparing for, finding, or keeping a job.  The individual must also require these services in order to work.

Features

• Career Counseling and Career Planning:  Services include medical exams, vocational testing, and work evaluations. Job try-outs may be used and can assist you in identifying job goals.
• Development of a plan for employment that outlines services needed and who can provide them to help you achieve your career goal.
• Examples of services that may be provided include: disability assessments, vocational evaluations, counseling, job placement services, job retention services, accommodations/assistive technology, job coaches, tools, equipment and licenses, job training, physical restoration services, support services such as interpreters, note takers, and transportation.

How to Access Services

MIchigan Rehabilitation Services Counselors are available at the Michigan Works! Livingston Service Center. Schedule an appointment by calling (517) 552-2118 or by calling the Ann Arbor District Office at (734) 677-1125.

Michigan Rehabilitation Services customers must complete an application and be determined eligible for services. Applications are available at the Michigan Works! Livingston Service Center. 

Applications are available here >>

The JET Program helps those receiving public assistance find employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency. The program offers comprehensive assessment, job search assistance, training, support services and follow-up services. 

The JET program accepts new participants weekly.  Participants must attend an orientation session prior to enrolling in the program. Contact a Family Independence Worker at the Michigan Department of Human Services for more information.

Features

• Assessment including basic skills assessment; career exploration; barriers; and job readiness.
• Job Readiness activities including barrier resolution; decision-making and goal setting.
• Job Search preparation including job retention skills; communication skills, resume preparation; interviewing skills, and other job search preparation skills.
• Short term and long term career counseling.
• Vocational training, basic skills training and GED preparation.
• Support services, follow-up and job retention activities.

How to Access Services

Eligible individuals are referred by the Dept. of Human Services. Those individuals receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), food stamps, Medicaid benefits, or child care benefits may be eligible. Additionally, eligible individuals are referred by local Friend of the Court offices. Participation in the program may be mandatory or voluntary, depending on federal and state policies governing the program.

If you are not currently receiving assistance from DHS and think you may qualify for assistance, apply in person at the Livingston County office the the Michigan Dept. of Human Services, 2300 East Grand River, Howell, or call (517) 548-0200.

The Older Youth Program teaches the employability skills necessary to get and keep a great job.  You will learn to create an attractive resume, have a successful interview, deal with conflicts and problems that you may encounter on the job, and many other skills!  Vocational Training is also available.

Who can benefit

Livingston County residents  17 years of age through 21 years of age who need to improve basic and job related skills to obtain a better job. 

How to Access Services

Ask for an appointment with a customer service specialist, who will help you prepare an individual training plan consistent with your current skills and career goals.  In order to meet program guidelines, those who use these services will be asked to provide basic background data, and  may be asked to document employment status, family size, income, or other background information.

Trade Act programs are available to assist individuals who have become unemployed as a result of increased imports from, or shifts in production to foreign countries. The goal of the Trade Act Programs is to help trade-affected workers return to suitable employment as quickly as possible. Workers must be laid-off from a plant that has been certified through the U.S. Department of Labor. The certification process is initiated by a petition filed by a group of three or more workers, their union or other authorized representatives, or by the company affected.

A petition and guidance on procedures to follow in filing a certification petition is available at the Livingston County Michigan Works! office.

In 2009, Congress reauthorized the Trade Act program. The new program expanded the types of dislocations which qualify for trade certification and provided additional benefits to eligible workers. This new Trade program is available to those eligible individuals whose trade petition was certified after May 18, 2009. Certifications which occured before that date are covered by the old program.

Who Can Benefit

Eligible individuals may receive a variety of benefits and reemployment services to help them prepare for and obtain suitable employment. Eligible workers are notified by letter from the U.S. Dept. of Labor and/or the Workforce Development Agency, State of Michigan once the certification process is complete. Announcements are also published in local newspapers.

Features

• Career and employment counseling.
• Classroom training (up to 104 weeks possible).
• On-the-job training.
• Job search assistance.
• Relocation allowance.
• Weekly trade readjustment allowances (TRA) may be payable following exhaustion of unemployment benefits.

How to Access Services

If you have received notice that you are eligible for Trade benefits, or if you just need a refresher, you should attend a Trade Act Orientation and Registration workshop. Workshops are held each Thursday from 10 am - noon at the Michigan Works! Career Transition Center, 125 S. Church St., Brighton.  No appointment is necessary.

For More Information

View a slide show on the old Trade Act program  (petitions certified before May 18, 2009)

View a slide show on the new Trade Act program (petitions certified on or after May 18, 2009)

You can also visit the US Dept. of Labor website >>