Community Living

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Autism Employment Specialists (AES)

The Autism Employment Specialists (AES) program supports individuals with autism by providing opportunities that help them integrate into their communities, while securing and maintaining meaningful employment. AES services include individualized job readiness training, job search assistance, job matching, interview preparation, and on the job support and coaching. AES staff collaborate with employers to promote autism acceptance. This program is provided through a collaborative grant through the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

For more information, contact Joseph King, LCSW, Executive Coordinator for Transition to Adulthood Services, at Joseph.A.King@usm.edu or 601.266.4021.

Community Volunteer Club

The Community Volunteer Club at the Institute for Disability Studies meets once a week, typically on Tuesdays, to provide an inclusive volunteer experience for college students and community members—with and without disabilities. Members take part in skills training, community service on and off campus, and social and team building activities. Students can also earn community service/volunteer hours required for their courses, sororities, and fraternities, while participating in this meaningful and engaging experience. This club is provided through the Institute’s core grant.

For more information, contact Scott Mullins, Transition Coordinator for Service and Volunteerism, at Scott.Mullins@usm.edu or 601.266.6129.

EPIC

Empowering Pathways to Independence in Communities (EPIC) is a community-based volunteer program that assists adults with disabilities, ages 21-40, build skills for greater independence and employment success. EPIC connects trained students and community volunteers with individuals with disabilities seeking to improve life skills such as budgeting, household management, self-advocacy, and job readiness. EPIC’s mission is to help individuals with disabilities gain the confidence and tools they need to live more independently and participate fully in their communities. The program is provided through a collaborative grant with National Community Care Corps.

For more information, contact Scott Mullins, Transition Coordinator for Service and Volunteerism, at Scott.Mullins@usm.edu or 601.266.6129.

Job Extravaganza

The Job Extravaganza program provides dynamic, hands-on, job exploration events designed for students with disabilities, ages 14-21, enrolled in school. This high energy interactive event allows students to engage directly with local businesses through hands-on workstation activities, providing students the opportunity to experience sample job tasks, while gaining insight into different career fields. This program is provided by a collaborative grant through the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. 

For more information, contact Joseph King, LCSW, Executive Coordinator for Transition to Adulthood Services, at Joseph.A.King@usm.edu or 601.266.4021.

Project Recovery Rapid Re-Housing (PR-RRH) 

Project Recovery Rapid Re-Housing (PR-RRH) is an essential program for homeless individuals and families in the 71 counties of the Mississippi Balance of State (BoS). Reaching some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, PR-RRH’s mission is to help individuals and families make the transition from homelessness to permanent, stable housing by offering immediate financial assistance and long-term supportive services. PR-RRH staff work to provide (1) short-term financial guidance, six-months of rent and security deposit assistance while securing permanent housing; (2) supportive services that includes comprehensive case management, housing search and rental counseling; and (3) outreach and resource connections, such as long-term stability by connecting families to essential community resources. This program is provided through a collaborative grant through Mississippi United to End Homelessness.

For more information, contact Tracy Coleman, MSW, Executive Coordinator for Housing, at Tracy.Coleman@usm.edu or 601.266.6063.  

STEP OUT

The Serving Together, Encouraging Peers with Opportunities and Understanding, Today (STEP OUT) program serves adults 25 years of age and older, with and without disabilities. An extension of the STEP UP program, which serves youth and young adults ages 14-24, the STEP OUT program was designed to meet the evolving needs of this group, to develop a social peer network, participate in new learning activities, and become more involved in the local communities. 

For more information, contact Rebecca Holland, PhD, MPH, MLIS, Executive Coordinator for Communication and Development, at Rebecca.Holland@usm.edu or 601.266.5168.

Supportive Employment Specialists

The Supportive Employment Specialists program tailors employment supports, including job exploration counseling, job development, and job skills training to adults with disabilities. These services are designed to assist individuals in preparing for, securing, and maintaining competitive employment within their communities. By focusing on each person’s unique strengths, interests, and goals, the program helps create individualized employment opportunities that promote long-term success and independence. This program is provided by a collaborative grant through the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

For more information, contact Beth Robertson, Executive Coordinator for Transition to Adulthood Services (Long Beach), at Beth.Robertson@usm.edu or 228.214.3422.

Wounded Warrior Community Support Specialists 

The Wounded Warrior Community Support Specialists (CSS) program provides Warriors with 8-10 hours of clinically driven, goal-oriented assistance each week. The support specialists work alongside Veterans by supporting their recovery, helping them cope with new realities, and facilitating their reengagement with society as positive and contributing members of their communities. This program is provided by a collaborative grant through Neuro Community Care.

For more information, contact Rich Baker, Director of Technology, at Rich.Baker@usm.edu or 601.266.6288.