Maine's CHOICES CEO Project

Working Together News: February 2011

Check out the most recent edition of our newsletter! This issue highlights news and activities for later winter and spring 2011. Don't miss this great news update!

Snapshot 2011: Maine Workers with Disabilities

The Snapshot is an annual publication of the Commission on Disability and Employment and the CHOICES CEO project, and has been updated for 2011. A similar data resource, the Maine Disability & Employment Dashboard is also updated using the data indicators presented in Snapshot 2011.

A Successful Conference - Employment for ME Summit: Building on past success for the next decade

Nearly 300 people attended a major conference on November 15 titled “Employment for ME Summit : Building upon past success for the next decade.”

The conference, held at the Augusta Civic Center, had two parts. The morning saw the roll-out of the newly updated DHHS-wide Employment Policy, and this part of the conference targeted the leadership of Case Management Agencies and Advocacy Organizations.

The updated policy statement, which will be posted on both the DHHS website and the EmploymentforME website, reads as follows:

“The Department of Health and Human Resources will support career development and meaningful employment for all working aged individuals receiving services through the Department. Employment is part of the natural course of adult life and provides opportunities for economic gain, personal growth and contributing to one’s community.  The development of a skilled and motivated workforce is essential to meeting the needs of Maine businesses.”

A brief report on the conference, including pictures, can be viewed here; with a fuller report with links to conference document and resources available here.

Employment First and For All: Welcome to the Big Tent

Over 90 participants attended this conference hosted by Maine APSE, and co-sponsored by 13 other Maine service and advocacy organizations. The conference opened with a keynote address by Laura Owens, APSE President, titled “State of the State:  Employment First across the Nation.”  Laura spoke about the importance of clear policies and practices related to employment first and integrated employment.

More information on this conference, including pictures can be viewed here.

EmploymentforME.org continues to develop and bring great resource information!

This web site offers a range of information related to the employment of workers with disabilities in Maine. You'll find information for job seekers, employers, and organizations that provide services to people with disabilities. Take a look!

"Youth with Disabilities, a Maine Workforce Development Review"

This project publication, released in 2010, provides a summary of observations that emerged from a review of the disability and workforce development literature, as well as from interviews with successful workforce development programs in Maine that focus on connecting youth with disabilities with meaningful work-related training and experiences. This report is available in two formats: as a Word document, and in PDF format.

DHHS On-Line Employment Specialist Training - Spring 2011

The DHHS form for reimbursement for approved on-line training (VCU and Georgia Tech) can be found here.

For more news go here to our NEWS ARCHIVE>>