KRESA Transition Services Resources

Integrated Services of Kalamazoo provides various supports and services to eligible individuals, including: 

• Supports coordination 
• Professional therapies/services 
• Community living services 
• Vocational related services 

Visit the Integrated Services of Kalamazoo website.

MRS helps individuals with disabilities become employed or maintain current employment. Key points: 

• Assists approximately 7,000 Michigan citizens with disabilities into jobs annually 
• Provides support for those with disabilities that make it difficult to work 
• Helps in preparing for, finding, and keeping a job 

Visit the Michigan Rehabilitation Services website.

KVCC offers special services to qualifying students with disabilities who are currently attending or plan to attend the college. Services may include: 

• Advising and advocacy 
• Adaptive equipment 
• Assistance with registration, scheduling, and study skills 
• Connections with outside agencies 
• Counseling and referrals 
• Electronic text 
• Interpreter services 
• Note-taking assistance 
• Tutoring

Visit the KVCC website.

Disability Network is a primary resource for people with disabilities and their families in Southwest Michigan. They offer: 

• Guidance and resources 
• Assistance in understanding disability rights 
• Advocacy in employment, educational, and community settings 

 Visit the Disability Network of Southwest Michigan website.

Community Advocates work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to: 

• Voice their wants and needs in various life areas (work, school, housing, etc.) 
• Ensure seamless access to services 
• Promote full inclusion in the community 

 
Visit The Arc Community Advocates website.

This collaborative group consists of individuals from schools and community agencies in Kalamazoo County who work with students in the transition process. Their goals include: 

• Helping individuals make successful transitions from school to adult life
• Discussing current transition topics and community agency information
• Promoting employment for people with disabilities
• Sharing resources available within Kalamazoo County

The network serves as a forum for participants to discuss these topics and share information about events and resources.

• Guardianship: A court-ordered arrangement where one person is given legal authority to make decisions on behalf of another person deemed "incapacitated" by the court. 
• Limited Guardian: Makes decisions in only specific areas, such as medical care. 
• General Guardian: Has broad control and decision-making authority over the individual. 
• Conservator: Manages the finances (income and assets) of a person with a disability but has no authority to make personal decisions. 

Consider the following areas where your son or daughter may need assistance: 

• Medical 
• Educational 
• Financial 
• Vocational/adult services 
• Living arrangements 
• Legal 
• Self-care 
• Safety 
• Communication 

While an attorney is not legally required to obtain guardianship, you may want to consider hiring one with expertise in this area.

For information about seeking guardianship in Kalamazoo County, click here.

Alternatives can provide formal and informal methods for supporting individuals with developmental disabilities to make choices and decisions. These may include:

• Representative Payee: Manages federal benefits for someone who cannot manage them independently. 
• Power of Attorney: A legal document that gives decision-making power from one person (principal) to another (agent). 
• Designation of Patient Advocate: A special type of power of attorney for medical decisions. 
   

For both Power of Attorney and Designation of Patient Advocate, the individual must understand what they are signing. It's recommended to consult with a Michigan attorney to ensure these documents meet specific needs and comply with current Michigan law.

For information about alternatives to guardianship in Kalamazoo County, click here.

The Michigan Career and Technical Institute conducts vocational and technical training programs and provides supportive services to prepare Michigan citizens with disabilities for competitive employment. 

Students may choose to enroll in one of 12 vocational training programs: 

• Automotive Technology 
• Cabinetmaking/Millwork 
• Certified Nursing Assistant 
• Culinary Arts 
• Custodial 
• Pharmacy Technician 
• Industrial Electronics 
• Commercial Printing 
• Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping 
• Machine Technology 
• Information Technology 
• Retail Marketing 

Learn more about Michigan Career and Technical Institute.

Career Connect is a continuum of career education programs that empowers the next generation of learners to explore career pathways and develop real-world skills. Career & Technical Education (CTE) includes hands-on, career preparation courses that develop professional skills and offer industry experience. CTE courses are offered in Kalamazoo County high schools and are primarily designed for eleventh and twelfth grade students, with some introductory classes available in ninth and tenth grade.

Learn more about Kalamazoo RESA Career Connect

Work-Based Learning provides students with opportunities to gain on-the-job experience and career skills through mutually beneficial employer partnerships. Students increase awareness across a broad spectrum of careers and develop critical teamwork skills to help them succeed in the world of work. 

Work-Based Learning experiences include: 

• Job shadows 
• Mock interviews 
• Internships (paid and unpaid) 
• Industry & talent tours 
• And more 

Learn more about Work-Based Learning