May 29, 2008 - Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Director Keith W. Cooley announced today the Michigan Career and Technical Institute has been awarded international accreditation for another three years. MCTI provides state-of-the-art job training to prepare people with disabilities for competitive employment.

CARF International, formerly the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, accredited MCTI for a period of three years for the following services:

• Employment Services:  Community Employment Services:  Job Development
• Employment Services:  Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation Services
• Employment Services:  Employment Skills Training Services

"This latest announcement is the eleventh consecutive three-year accreditation that this respected international accrediting body has awarded to MCTI," said Cooley.  "It's really a testament to the exceptional work of DLEG and MCTI staff who devote their careers to ensuring students have the best training and assistance in finding employment to become self-sufficient."

MCTI is a public, federally and state funded organization with a campus at 11611 West Pine Lake Road, Plainwell, Michigan. It has been providing training for adults with disabilities since 1944, operating under the auspices of Michigan Rehabilitation Services, which is housed in DLEG.  It is one of only eight comprehensive rehabilitation centers in the United States .

Depending on aptitude and interest, students may choose to enroll in one of 12 vocational training programs: Automotive Technology, Cabinetmaking, Certified Nursing Assistant, Culinary Arts, Custodial, Customer Service, Electronics, Graphic Communications, Grounds Maintenance/Landscaping, Machine Technology, Office Automation, Printing, and Retail Marketing.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization's substantial conformance to the CARF standards.

An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable, and accountable.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966, CARF establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

For additional information, contact Michigan Career and Technical Institute at 269-664-4461 (voice); 877/901-7350 (toll free, voice-TTY) or visit the website at www.michigan.gov/mcti.