FAIRMONT — Comprised of different area agencies, including STEP and MRCI, the Faribault Martin Community Transition Interagency Committee is dedicated to helping those with disabilities.

This year, the group is working on employment for those with disabilities as they graduate from school. Member Lee Ann Erickson discussed the beginnings of CTIC.

“We go back to when my kids were in school, and that was in the ’80s,” she said. “CTIC committees were mandated by the state, and it’s made up of schools, providers, the county and parents, and we just had everybody.

“The IEICs (Interagency Early Intervention Committee) were established at that time because they felt there needed to be support for families with young children with disabilities. Those committees were the same as ours, except they were formed for early childhood.

“Then you went into the school, and then the next transition was from school into work, so we established CTICs. They were mandated, but while there was money behind the EICs, there was never much money behind the CTICs.

“So whenever we do things we have to try and get grants, and sometimes there’s some money from the schools that we can use, but we kind of have to fund ourselves. But CTIC is a key step for the students that are coming out of school. Here in the Martin County area, the schools do an excellent job and there’s a lot of inclusion and support for the parents.”

However, Erikson notes a big difference for those with disabilities after graduation.

“When they graduate, there’s not really that same support system,” she said. “It’s out there, but now you have to access it yourself as a parent. It’s not just handed to you because you’re in school.

“Now your first step is going to the county to find out what services they have if you haven’t done that in school. Then you connect with the support groups out there such as The Arc and Centers for Independent Living, and groups like that.”

While the need seems big, there are local programs available to help meet it. One is the Bridge to the Future program through MRCI. It is a summer training program that provides participants with the tools they need to transition from school to work. Such training includes how to search for and retain jobs, as well as developing soft skills, such as how to interview.

Kerry Nagel-Allen of MRCI shared an example of the program in action.

“They actually go to various businesses within town and they’ll work so many hours and get paid, and they have support,” she said. “They may or may not have a job coach with them during that time, but they also have a teacher or an instructor that will come in and oversee them.

“These programs do help fill in the gap, but I don’t think a lot of employers realize they’re out there. Some of them are very leery, and I don’t think they realize that if we come in and bring a crew in or somebody to work and provide a job coach, MRCI pays their wage plus they also pay their work comp. The employer just pays MRCI, and what we’re trying to do is get that word out.

“Sometimes they’ll find that the person they just employed is going to be one of their best workers and they’re going to be somebody who will stay there for years.”

CTIC members say that when they do hear from employers, they say the impact those with disabilities have on other employees is a positive one.

The group meets the third Tuesday of every month during the school year, but not during summer. It is always looking for members. Those interested may contact Kia Ringnell at Martin County West High School at (507) 764-4661.