Community Based Vocational Training
Montcalm Area Intermediate School District
WHAT IS IT: Community Based Vocational Training is designed to enable special needs students to gain practical work experiences in community businesses in volunteer positions. The students get first hand knowledge of what it is like to work in a particular business. The community business serves as an extension of the classroom and as such the students receive school credit and a grade for the class.
OUR GOAL: Our goal is to help students narrow their job interests so that when they leave the school system, they know what they want to do and have had some experience in that job.
POPULATION SERVED: High school students who receive special education services are eligible to access the program. We serve students throughout the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) in all seven local school districts: Greenville, Central Montcalm, Tri- County, Montabella, Vestaburg, Carson City, and Lakeview.
The MAISD also serves students who still require services after high school age. These students are housed at the Seiter Education Center in Greenville. Generally they are between the ages of 18-26. However, not all students require services until the age of 26. Many leave the school system before reaching 26.
PLACEMENTS: Students are matched to jobs according their interests, aptitudes and needs as well as the needs of the employer. Students are “on the job” for approximately two hours during the school day, five days per week. However, schedules are adjustable to help meet the needs of the employer and the student. Students usually have two experiences per school year, but this may vary according to the needs of the students and the business. Students at work sites are supported by the vocational staff from the MAISD through weekly visits or may have job coaches on site.
We have many participating businesses located in various parts of the county.
