FAQs

1. Whom does MRC serve and what does it do?

MRC serves individuals who have barriers to self-sufficiency but who are able to work competitively. This includes people with physical, sensory, mental health and other disabilities, immigrants and refugees, and individuals transitioning off of public assistance.

MRC offers services in the areas of Vocational Evaluation and Assessment, Employment Planning and Independent Living Skills, Accredited Career Skills Training, Job Placement, and Job Retention.

2. Where is MRC located?

MRC’s main location is at 2438 27th Avenue South in Minneapolis, but MRC also has service locations in St. Paul, Bloomington, Burnsville, Duluth, and St. Cloud.

All MRC locations are on or near public transportation and offer individuals a safe environment and a knowledgeable staff who have the expertise necessary to move individuals forward in their lives.

3. Who pays for MRC services?

MRC is a private, nonprofit organization that operates it programs by charging a fee for its services or receives grant funding to cover costs for specialized programming.

Most individuals do not pay for services on their own, although individuals may choose to self-pay if no other payment source is available. The referral source or individual who refers a person to MRC for services normally covers service fees. Referral sources include Rehabilitation Services, State Services for the Blind or Veterans Administration rehabilitation counselors, QRCs, case managers, employers, or other individuals who have access to dollars for the types of services MRC offers. The decision to cover the cost of MRC services is made between the referring counselor and the individual needing/wanting MRC services, not by MRC staff.

4. How are referrals made?

A referring counselor must refer each individual receiving services at MRC for those services. The MRC Referral Form must be completed and mailed or faxed to MRC, along with documentation of an individual’s disability, when applicable. An authorization for payment of services may accompany the completed referral form or may be sent at a later time but prior to an intake being scheduled. Once the referral form is received, an MRC staff person will call the individual and referring counselor to schedule an intake appointment.

5. What can MRC do for me?

MRC offers services that help individuals assess their skills and skill potential, expand and enhance technical and interpersonal skills through career skills training, secure employment through individualized placement, and retain and maintain their jobs through intensive post-placement follow-along services.

6. What is the length of time for MRC services?

The length of MRC services varies from a few days to many months depending on the service(s) being provided.

7. Will I get a job once I have completed services at MRC?

Individuals may be referred to MRC Employment Services to help them secure employment or they may be referred to another provider or back to their referring agency to receive placement services. Referring counselors will help individuals determine the best placement option for them.

MRC has a knowledgeable placement staff which offers individualized placement and support services to each job seeker. The job seeker and employment specialist work together to secure an appropriate job within a 90-day time period. MRC focuses on jobs with career advancement potential and benefits and utilizes the expertise of its 70-member Business Partner Council in the placement process. Although MRC makes a strong commitment to placing individuals referred for placement services, we cannot guarantee that every individual referred will find employment.

Once the job seeker has been placed, MRC staff continue to follow each individual for a minimum of 90 days post-placement to make sure the job is a good fit for the individual and that the employer also feels the match is good.

8. Will I need to make a plan or set goals?

MRC requires that each individual referred for services completes a plan prior to beginning the service(s) they are referred for. This plan gives direction to the process and helps MRC staff better understand the needs and goals of the individuals referred.

Contacts for more information

Twin Cities – Helen Kilian at 612-752-8106
Duluth – Art Larsen at 218-722-9700
St. Cloud – Carrie Stang at 320-259-5717