OCCMHA Announces Oakland Customized Employment Choices Pilot

In conjunction with National Disability Employment Month, Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) and Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) are launching a new Customized Employment program called Oakland Customized Employment Choices. The purpose of the program is to
assist adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) served by the OCCMHA network
in securing and retaining competitive integrated employment.

“We are excited about this innovative pilot program which promotes both employment and
independence,” said OCCMHA Executive Director and CEO, Willie Brooks. “It is extremely
important that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to achieve
integrated employment are provided with the necessary resources to reach their goal.”

Oakland Customized Employment Choices is a Customized Employment program designed to
personalize the employment relationship between the job candidate and the employer so that the
needs of both are met. It is based on an individualized match between the interests, experiences
and skills of the job candidate and the identified business needs of the employer. Key
components of the program include the Discovery Process that results in a Written Profile, Paid
Internship for Experience, Skill-Building, and Employer Reference; Customized Supported
Employment Placement; and Job Analysis, Training, Coaching and Facilitation of Natural
Supports.

Effectively providing Oakland Customized Employment Choices requires a high level of staff
training. In order to achieve this proficiency staff are receiving additional training in Customized
Employment, and upon completion will receive a national certification. Additionally, these same
staff will receive on-going technical assistance to further refine and hone their new skill set.

“Customized Employment reflects the spirit of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act,
which is to provide employment opportunities to individuals with the most challenges to
employment,” said MRS Director Suzanne Howell. “The collaboration between Oakland County
Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority is
an example of innovative partnerships that combine resources to expand employment
opportunities for individuals with disabilities.”

MRS and OCCMHA are excited to welcome people in the new Oakland Customized
Employment Choices pilot program during Fiscal Year 2017, which began on October 1, 2016.
For more information about the program contact Francisco Gamboa at (248 758-1993) or visit
www.occmha.org and click on the service information link.

About OCCMHA
Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority is the public mental health system
responsible for identifying, influencing, and delivering services and supports to approximately
25,000 Oakland County residents, including individuals with intellectual/developmental
disabilities, adults with mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbance, and persons
with substance use disorders. Most of these individuals have Medicaid.

OCCMHA’s current network of service providers include: Common Ground, Community
Housing Network, Community Living Services, Community Network Services, Easter Seals
Michigan, Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Oakland Family Services, Inc., and Training and
Treatment Innovations. A complete list of substance use service providers is available on
OCCMHA’s website. For more information about OCCMHA call (800) 341-2003 or visit
www.occmha.org.

About MRS
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) works with eligible customers and employers to achieve
quality employment outcomes and independence for individuals with disabilities. They work in
partnership with individuals with disabilities to prepare for and obtain competitive employment,
including exploring the possibilities of self-employment or owning a small business. Employment
services to individuals with disabilities are provided in all 83 Michigan counties. For more
information visit www.michigan.gov/mrs.