• You can begin your search in your own backyard. By that, we mean look within your family or personal network. Often, family members such as siblings, nieces, nephews, or friends would be more than happy to work for you. If not, ask family members, friends, or other people you know well if they know someone who is looking for work. Providing personal assistance can be a desired position for college students or others who may be looking for a flexible work schedule.
  
  
• Meet other parents of special-needs children, and trade sitting. They will be used to the level of supervision that your child may need, their house will be set-up for your child, and they will be more comfortable than others.
  
  
• Other places to look include posting notices at church. Or, try your local colleges and universities, particularly their child development, special education or physical or speech therapy students. Contact information for local colleges are listed below.
  
  
• If you are searching for an aide for your child, your school may be a good place – often an aide or “parapro" may be looking for more hours of work and they are available the hours that your child isn’t in school – early afternoon, and on days that school is closed!
  
  
• While it may be advantageous to hire a family member or friend, this is not always possible. In this case, you might want to consider interviewing agencies that provide staffing to people with disabilities. If you do decide to get your staffing through an agency, The Arc strongly recommends interviewing several agencies before deciding on one. It is also a good idea to ask the agencies what their philosophy is about working with people with disabilities, and make sure that they do criminal background checks on all employees. You might also ask to meet potential staff members, and ask the agency for a list of references (other people with disabilities who they have provided services for).
  
  
• If neither of these options appeals to you, you may want to consider placing an ad in a local newspaper. If you do choose this option, remember that placing an ad costs money, so be sure you make allowances for it in your budget.

Grand Valley State University
Student Employment Office Phone: (616) 331-3238

Mailing Address:
Career Services
1001 E. Beltline Ave.
NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Aquinas University

Email: Karen Hollebeck, Student Employment Administrator
or
Jobshop@calvin.edu

Hours: 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday

Grand Rapids Career Center Mailing Address:
3030 Eastern SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508

Career Services Offices Phone Numbers:
Grand Rapids: (800) 632-9569
Grand Rapids Career Center: (800) 491-3131

Grand Rapids Location Email: grandrapids.cs@davenport.edu
Grand Rapids Career Center Email: eastern.cs@davenport.edu

Career and Employment Services Hours: 8am-6:30pm Mon-Thursday
8am-5pm Friday

Career & Employment Services Contact Information:
Breeann Gorham
Phone: (616) 732-1210
Email: breeann.gorham@davenport.edu

Email: Callen@grcc.edu

Hours: 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday
No Appointment Needed

Phone: (231) 591-2151

Hours: 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday

Contact: John Radle, Manager of Student Employment & Career Services at www.ferris.edu/admissions/financialaid/studentemployment/jobs/index.cf
(Click on ‘Contact John Radle’ on website to Email him).

BroncoJOBS Office can be reached at (269) 387-2725 between 8 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday regarding On and Off-Campus Part-time, Full-time & Internship positions.

Fax Job Postings to (269) 387-2555.

Mailing Address:
Career & Student Employment Services
First Floor Ellsworth Hall
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5160