Employment and Training has a mission to assist in the development of the talent of tribal members which will enable them to find productive employment on the reservation or in nearby off-reservation setting. There is strength in numbers.

Contact Information

601-650-7386
Fax: 601-656-3953

Employment & Training’s physical location is the third building on the left-hand side of the Manpower building.

Mailing Address:
115 Annex Circle
Choctaw, MS 39350

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Choctaw Day Training (CDT) Program offers opportunities for participants daily, short term assignments within the Tribal Government. Participants who have a desire to work but are unsuccessful in finding permanent job opportunities find the CDT program assists them with basic daily necessities. These roles can lead to referrals for future full-time employment if the trainees have excellent work habits.

The CDT program is Monday through Friday, trainees must complete the full seven-hour day and will receive a stipend for that time. The application process takes two to three weeks because of extensive requirement checks.

Eligibility/Application

• Individuals must be 18 and older
• MBCI enrolled member
• Unemployed
• No income of any kind (SSI, Royalties, Unemployment insurance, Etc.)

The Choctaw Vocational & Employment Services Program was transferred to the Division of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation October 1, 1995. Through the Vocational Rehabilitation, and Adult Education Programs, the division was able to offer a strong system of intake, evaluation, and placement which is used to determine the educational and training needs, job interest, and special medical or related health problems of the entering adult. The programs were able to offer individuals training, support services, employment placement, and follow-up services.

The Choctaw Vocational & Employment Services Program’s Mission and Vision Statement is to provide training to all tribal members with the skills and ability to obtain gainful employment. The program’s goal is to increase the number of successful tribal members obtaining job skills necessary for the transition for full-time employment. The program offers financial assistance, supportive services, and job counseling services.

Eligibility/Application

• Must be unemployed.
• Must be 18 years old.

Application:

Individuals who are interested in submitting in application for services may pick up an application at the Manpower Training Center.

Location/Hours

Business Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00-4:30

601 650-7332
601-650-7343
601 650-7333
601 650-7335
TTY 601 650 7354
Fax 601 656-1902

Located in the Manpower Training Center, Pearl River Community
266 Industrial Road
Choctaw Branch Box 6010
Choctaw, Mississippi 39350

Eligibility/Application

Step 1: Application for Services

Call our office or fill out one of the forms below:

Step 2: Assessment For Determining Eligibility And Vocational Rehabilitation Needs

Once you have applied for services, a diagnostic evaluation will be necessary to determine if you are eligible for services. The funding agency sets out the eligibility criteria that one must meet in order to receive services in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended in Section 102 (a); and in regulation 34 CFR 371.6.

An individual is eligible for services if the individual:
(A) has undergone an assessment for determining eligibility and rehabilitation needs and as a result has been determined to be an individual with a disability under 7(20)(A) of the Act [ (i) has a physical or mental impairment which for such individual results in a substantial impediment to employment; (ii) can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from Vocational Rehabilitation Services]; and

(B) requires Vocational Rehabilitation Services to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in, or regain employment that is consistent with the individual’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. [Employment is defined as full or part-time work, at or above federal minimum –wage, with equal benefits as other employees, and in an integrated setting]
Finally,

(C) be a Tribally-enrolled American Indian individual who lives on or near the Choctaw Indian Reservation* [you must show a valid Tribal Enrollment card which indicates your address OR another proof of address if you provide a Certificate Degree of Indian Blood that includes your Tribal Enrollment #]
*within a 50-mile radius of reservation land within the boundaries of the state of Mississippi.

(D) be registered with Selective Service, if applicable.

If you meet these requirements, you will be found eligible for services.

Physical or mental impairments must be diagnosed by professionals either in the medical or mental health fields. If you are a proven Social Security Administration disability benefits recipient or beneficiary, your possession of an impairment is presumed, and assessments can continue during your rehabilitation planning.

Step 3: Writing Your Individualized Plan For Employment (IPE)

If you are eligible for services, within 90 days of your eligibility decision (or longer if you both agree), your Rehabilitation Counselor will work with you to plan a program of rehabilitation services that will help you to meet your goals. This is called the Individualized Plan for Employment or IPE for short.

Efforts will be made to provide a broad scope of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in a manner that is comparable in quality and outcomes to the State VR Agency. [34 CFR 371.21 (a)], while remaining relevant to your culture, language, and geographic access.

The exciting thing about the Individualized Plan for Employment is that it is developed especially for your unique situation by you with help from your Rehabilitation Counselor and anyone else from whom you would like to receive input. It is important that both of you work together to develop the plan. Your Rehabilitation Counselor’s expertise in rehabilitation and knowledge of the resources available to help you in your progress are very important. Equally important are your thoughts, goals, and needs. Working together, you can make the plan a successful one.

Step 4: Service Provision

You will be asked to attend an orientation session so that you can obtain thorough information about available services that you can select to include on your IPE.

Step 5: Case Closure Upon Obtainment of Your Employment Outcome

Mississippi Society for Disabilities – Client Assistant Program:
www.msdisabilities.com/client-assistance-program/

The Choctaw Adult Education (ABE) program began serving the Choctaw community in 1972. From its inception, the program has placed maximum emphasis on community involvement, thus classes are taught in each of the Tribe’s eight communities. Years of service have allowed the program to reflect growth of the tribe in its changing program activities. However, one thing has remained constant-the program maintains its fundamental components of basic skills enhancement, GED preparation, ESL skills and improved their education/occupational skills

The Mission of Choctaw Adult Education is to improve the quality of life in each community through excellence in teaching, diverse learning opportunities and services and visionary leadership. Choctaw Adult Education notes the following value statement in developing its mission: We believe that adults are worthwhile individuals accountable for their own behavior and capable of achieving their full potential for the betterment of themselves, their families, their communities, and all Choctaw people.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a community service and work-based job training program for older Americans. Authorized by the Older Americans Act, the program provides training for low-income, unemployed seniors. Participants also have access to employment assistance through WIN Job Centers.

SCSEP participants gain work experience in a variety of community service activities at non-profit and public facilities, including schools, hospitals, daycare centers, and senior centers. The program provides over 40 million community service hours to public and non-profit agencies, allowing them to enhance and provide needed services. Participants work an average of 20 hours a week and are paid the federal minimum wage. This training serves as a bridge to unsubsidized employment opportunities for participants.

Eligibility/Application

Participants must be at least 55, unemployed, and have a family income of no more than 125% of the federal poverty level. Enrollment priority is given to veterans and qualified spouses, then to individuals who are over 65, have a disability, have low literacy skills or limited English proficiency, reside in a rural area, are homeless or at risk of homelessness, have low employment prospects, or have failed to find employment after using services through the WIN Job Center system.

• Unemployed
• Agee 55 and older
• Low Income
• Family Income Poverty Guideline no more than 125%

Application:

Can be picked up at the Choctaw Workforce Development Program SCSEP Office.