The Pine Lake Project provides short-term on-the-job training opportunities for people with disabilities. It is based on a cooperative program developed in 1985 with the Marriott Corporation.  The industry-based training model utilizes a partnership among the Michigan Career and Technical Institute, Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) district offices, the Pine Lake Fund, and business and industry. The project combines:

• On-site evaluation of individuals with disabilities
• Ten-week, on-site training by contracted training sites in food service, housekeeping, custodial, and clerical, among other occupations
• Project orientation for line staff and management

Who Is Qualified to Participate?

• Any MRS client who is defined as having a disability
• The client must have demonstrated motivation, stable behavior, and the ability to learn through demonstration
• The client should have reliable transportation to the evaluation, training, and work site

How Do MRS District Offices Support the Project?

• Provide an evaluation of each client to indicate the client meets job training qualifications
• Participate in project evaluation
• Ensure that appropriate support services-such as transportation, therapy, and medical-are in place
• Maintain weekly contact with contractor staff throughout the training period
• Provide placement support upon completion of training, with follow-up at 30-, 60-, and 90-day intervals

   

• Negotiated fee per trainee is paid to the training site for instruction
• General liability insurance is paid by the project
• Training is based on a specially designed curriculum using demonstration, modeling, and repetition
• MRS counselors work with training sites to ensure the trainees' progress throughout the training period