Austin is a proud recent graduate of Kalamazoo College (Go Hornets!) where he majored in psychology with a minor in political science. He loves making music and played in a jazz band in college. 

Austin also enjoys nature and loves to relax by the lake in the warmer Michigan months. He can even identify many native Michigan birds by ear! 

Austin helps with many of our transition programs across the state and loves talking with students about his experiences so if you see him, say hi!

He has been working as a Student Ambassador, and has worked with the BSBP team on BSBP programs. Austin even worked with the team to develop and run the First Stay Away camp, taking place later this week.

If you're interested in becoming a BSBP Student Ambassador Mentor sign up for our Take the Lead program at https://bit.ly/BSBP-TTL23. 

This program will introduce youth to careers in the field of earth science. The program will also focus on weather, wind and fire related events and allow students to gain an understanding of emergency preparation by using 3-D models, accessible apps, interactive experiments and other hands-on activities. 

The program includes guest speakers with visual impairments who work within earth science professions like meteorologist, climatologist and oceanographer. The speakers will highlight routes to their career success and ways they prepare and accommodate for vision loss. Additionally, students will go on a fun outing to Sky Zone (with blizzard simulation)! 

You really don’t want to miss this. Registration is closing soon, so click here to get a spot: https://bit.ly/BSBP-EWF2023.

This weekend program is designed to assist students interested in discovering and building their career path.  This program helps students to identify strengths and interest through the use of career inventories. Based on their inventory results, students will gain tools and strategies to construct their career route.

Students will also learn about accessing community resources, post-secondary preparation strategies and experience campus life at Ferris State University! 

Registration deadline is May 12. Register at https://bit.ly/BSBP-CUC2023.

BSBP has teamed up with the Michigan Blind Athletic Association to provide “Sports Education Camp for the Blind and Visually Impaired”. This weekend camp helps students learn to play team and individual sports. Every activity is aimed at teaching both the sport and skills to function as a successful person with a vision loss. 

Topics include: proper hygiene, socially-appropriate interactions, organizational skills, proper diet and nutrition, team building, conflict resolution and communication.

Fun Fact: This camp has the highest number of athletes who have gone on to be Paralympians! Statistics show that youth who are visually impaired and are involved in sporting events go on to have a higher employment rate.

If you are interested in having fun and experiencing all that SEC has to offer, visit https://miblindsports.org/sportscamp/. The deadline to sign up is approaching soon!

There is absolutely no question that parents and guardians are a powerful asset to not only the vocational rehabilitation process but overall student success. For the last several years BSBP has focused our efforts on collaborating with families through a variety of outreach and inclusive programs.

If you have participated in our Regional Family Engagement Dinners, VI Resources Series, weekend programs with a family track, focus groups or virtual surveys - thank you! These events help us to build stronger relationships with our students and the supportive adults who know them best.

While we understand that parent/guardian input is incredibly important, our ultimate shared goal is to center and prioritize the voice of the student. Having programs where we are able to bring parents, students and professionals together is a unique and valuable experience for us all.  

We have received a ton of valuable feedback and comments from parents across the state. It warms our hearts to hear parents make comments like “This makes me realize that my student can live independently,” or “this session made me realize that I need to let my son be his own advocate.”

These collaboration-focused gatherings, whether virtual or in-person, support efforts to harness our collective power and overcome sometimes innate concern and distrust of outside agencies. 

One of largest and most successful programs takes place in Traverse City, Michigan and is open to all families across the state at no cost. The Encounter Career Opportunities: Hospitality Edition program at Great Wolf Lodge added a family training component last year. It has been met with so much love and support that it has been expanded this year to include a third track for our BSBP veteran families who have previously attended. 

After last year’s program, we received a note that said “It’s so important to have the families here this weekend. Keep the parents involved.” And we shall!

If you are interested in any of the programs mentioned above, please visit the program list on the BSBP website to get more information and to sign up.

Do you have an awesome BSBP counselor who goes above and beyond to help you (or your child) achieve your goals? Well now you can tell the world about them😊! 

We would love to profile your counselor in one of our upcoming monthly newsletters! Just to sweeten the deal, if your submission is selected, you will receive a special gift courtesy of the BSBP Pre-ETS team. 

Complete your quick and easy nomination at https://forms.gle/i2EkPg72Z6927xEd8.