The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) has services for students and youth with disabilities within vocational rehabilitation and community living programs. MRC offers pre-employment transition services to students 14-21 years old (up to their 22nd birthday) who are enrolled in high school or post-secondary education or training programs. Students interested in pre-employment transition services do not need to apply for Vocational Rehabilitation services but can access services from community providers to enhance their career awareness and exposure. Services through Vocational Rehabilitation are for students who have employment-related goals. Community living programs support youth who are looking to build their leadership, self-advocacy, and independent living skills.
Services
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Ages 14-adulthood
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services can help students and youth get and keep a job. Services may include: assessment, counseling and guidance, training, education, assistive technology, transition services and job placement. - Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
*Ages 14-21 years old (up to their 22nd birthday)
Services include: job exploration counseling, workplace readiness training, work-based learning experience, counseling in post-secondary training opportunities, and self-advocacy. - Transitional Internship Program (TIP)
*Ages 16-21 years old (up to their 22nd birthday)
Through Independent Living Centers, the TIP program provides students with employment related skills, guidance, and paid internships to improve future employment opportunities. - Benefits Counseling
Ages 16-adulthood
Consultation and information for those receiving SSI/SSDI benefits, who need help understanding eligibility and the impact work may have on their benefits. - Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)
Ages 16-25
An annual multi-day conference for youth with disabilities during the summer. The workshops and activities foster employment readiness, independence, peer networking, and leadership skills. - Youth Leadership Network (YLN)
Ages 14-26
Regional workshops throughout Massachusetts on topics such as leadership, self-determination, peer networking, assistive technology in the workplace, and employment skills. - Supported Living Program (SLP)
Ages 16-adulthood
The Supported Living Program provides youth and adults with physical disabilities and an additional secondary disability with assistance in managing and organizing day-to-day life. Services may include case management, PCA surrogacy, assistance with managing health, finances, personal affairs, skills training and finding accessible housing. Services can start one year before high school completion and can be on-going. - Transition to Adulthood Program (TAP)
Ages 14-21 years old (up to their 22nd birthday)
Through Independent Living Centers, the TAP provides skills training, peer counseling, and mentoring to support young adults to live independently in the community of their choice. - Statewide Head Injury Program (SHIP)
Ages 18 -adulthood (limited services available to consumers starting at birth)
Offers an array of services that are designed to assist youth with traumatic brain injuries maintain and increase their level of independence at home.
*Students are defined as 14-21 years old (up to their 22nd birthday) and enrolled in high school or post-secondary education or training programs.
To learn more about any of these services contact the nearest Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) office.