Career Development Services is a sole proprietorship owned and operated by Ron Irvine. Please contact me if you are in need of contracted services.

List of clients:

Kent Intermediate School District

• Work with the KISD WIA Youth Team to:
  • Develop and coordinate WIA Youth Employment Services for 310 economically disadvantaged youth in 19 schools in Kent County.
  • Develop processes for marketing, determining eligibility, registration, program quality, successful outcomes for clients.
  • Work with schools (mine are primarily alternative schools) to develop programing that will lead to successful outcomes for youth.
  • Set up paid mentors in each school to connect to students and guide them through the educational system, and assist them in reaching their educational and employment / training goals.
  • Train mentors in mentoring, program/grant expectations, career development, and outcome requirements.
  • Follow up with graduates for a year, assisting them with career goals, college, and employment.

The Arc Kent County

• Developing and coordinating the initial pilot and two subsequent summer programs focusing on career and leadership development for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities:
  • WE LEAD! KENT funded by the Center for Creative Leadership and the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council
  • Summer Mentoring Program funded by the Regional Interagency Consumer Committee (RICC) and the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council

Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns

• Creating a program guide that can be used by local communities to develop local programs based on the Michigan Youth Leadership Forum, an advocacy and leadership program for youth with disabilities providing them with experiences in the legislative process.
• This guide has "gone national"; according to the MYLF coordinator.