Maine's CHOICES CEO Project
Working Together News
A newsletter about Maine's efforts to increase work opportunities for people with disabilities
In Focus
Workplace Diversity & Innovation in the New Economy: Working Together Business Group Holds Annual Conference
Working Together partnered with the Diversity Hiring Coalition and Maine Businesses for Sustainability to hold another sensational conference exploring how a diverse workforce can help businesses get ahead. The event was held on September 28th in South Portland.
Sponsors included: TD Bank, Mainebiz, Custom Disability Solutions, HRTimes, L.L.Bean, and Norway Savings Bank.
Employers shared stories of how people from diverse backgrounds brought innovation and creativity to their workplace and helped their businesses expand market share and increase profitability.
The keynote address was given by Romy Riddick, vice president and diversity leader at TD Bank, which is a Working Together business member and sponsor of the conference. Romy leads strategic planning and implementation for the Bank’s diversity and inclusion effort at the national level.
Three short videos from Romy's keynote can be viewed at on Working Together's YouTube channel. These videos are titled Diversity and Disability, Disability Focus - TD Bank's Disability Practice and Disability Focus - Romy's Personal Connection.
Awards Presented to Employers of Note
Jennifer Simpson (from Custom Disability Solutions) presented the Working Together Business Leadership Awards to several businesses that excelled in their efforts to hire and retain employees with disabilities.
Sergio Ramos (left) of Ruby Tuesday Restaurant in Biddeford receives Working Together's Business Leadership Award from Jennifer Simpson (right).
Cheryl Rust (left) of La Garage Restaurant in Brunswick receives Working Together's Small Business Leadership Award.
Linda (left) and Al (right) Pangburn of Millinocket IGA Foodliiner receive Working Together's Workforce Achievement Award.
The Diversity Hiring Coalition presented two awards: a Diversity Leadership Award, which was given to TD Bank; and a Diversity Initiative Award, which was presented to U.S Cellular.
More information from this conference, including photos, are posted here.
Employment First and For All: Welcome to the Big Tent
On October 27th, more than 90 participants gathered in Augusta to attend a conference titled, Employment First and for All, which was hosted by Maine APSE, an organization promoting employment for people with disabilities, and co-sponsored by 13 other Maine service and advocacy organizations.
The conference opened with a keynote address by Laura Owens, the national APSE executive director. Laura suggested the following approaches to expanding employment opportunities:
- Supporting local efforts with the establishment of community action teams;
- Engaging businesses and schools;
- Clarifying assumptions and establishing a shared definition of employment;
- Emphasizing systems change through policy development and resource allocation; and
- Promoting practices such as customized and supported employment.
The keynote was followed by a presentation by Sara Salley from the National Consortium for Health Systems Development. Sara cited several themes that have been an important part of programs such as CHOICES CEO. These were that employment is a vital part of community integration, a pathway to financial independence, a goal for everyone regardless of disability type, and that employment must be integrated and competitive.
In addition, five speakers shared their personal stories. Speakers included Eric Hughes, of Eric’s Pizza Express, who showed two videos of local media coverage of his business: one covering the opening of his business and a follow-up story.
At the end of the conference, attendees were asked to think of dream statements, or “bold moves,” that they wished for and then brainstorm actions that would lead to these outcomes. More information on the bold moves and action steps identified at the conference will be posted on the conference page of the Maine APSE web site.
The agenda is available here. Photos are posted here.
Successful Transitions: What Youth Need From Adults
You may remember a teacher, coach, or neighbor who you looked up to and could always go to for support. These encouraging adults serve an important role in the lives of young people both with, and without, disabilities.
Research also highlights the importance of these relationships for young people with disabilities. The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability (NCWD) cites strong connections and supportive relationships with caring adults as critical to successful transitions to adulthood for all youth.
Reviewing literature, demonstration studies, and practices, NCWD determined that that all youth need parents, families, and other caring adults who do the following:
- Have high expectations that build upon the young person’s strengths, interests, and needs and encourage each youth’s ability to achieve independence and self-sufficiency;
- Remain involved in their lives and as they move toward adulthood;
- Have access to information about employment, further education, and community resources that support young people;
- Take an active role in transition planning with schools and community partners; and
- Have access to professional support networks to guide youth.
In addition to the above support, youth with disabilities need parents, families, and other caring adults who have the following:
- An understanding of the youth’s disability and how it may affect his or her education, employment, and daily living options;
- Knowledge of rights and responsibilities under various disability-related legislation;
- Knowledge of and access to program supports, and accommodations available for young people with disabilities; and
- An understanding of how individualized planning tools can assist youth in achieving transition goals.
Participation and involvement of parents, family members, and/or other caring adults promotes the social, emotional, physical, academic and occupational growth of youth, leading to better post-school and employment outcomes.
Please visit the CHOICES CEO website for more information on creating both mentoring and informal relationships with youth with disabilities.
Radio Series Highlights Women with Disabilities in Science
WAMC Northeast Public Radio is offering online podcasts and free CDs of its Access to Advancement series about women with disabilities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The first part of the series includes five stories that describe the latest developments in support of students with disabilities who are pursuing careers in the sciences. The second part shares the stories of five successful women with disabilities who are studying or working in these fields.
According to the Science and Engineering Indicators: 2010, there are no comprehensive measures of the global science and engineering labor force, but fragmentary data suggest that the U.S. world share is continuing to decline. Many researchers say that women, underrepresented minorities, and people with disabilities are a largely untapped talent pool.
Dr. Angela Lee Foreman, assistant professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology and one of the women profiled for Access to Advancement, explained "everyone has a unique talent that they can bring to the lab or the workplace. And we cannot afford to overlook these unique talents and skills."
The complete Access to Advancement series is available via Flash Audio, podcast and transcript online. Visitors to the website can also request free CDs. The site also has links to educational resources. Access to Advancement was made possible by support from the National Science Foundation's Research in Disabilities Education program.
State Affairs
Bureau of Employment Services Receives $1.5 Million for Disability Employment Initiative
The Bureau of Employment Services, part of the Maine Department of Labor, received $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Labor under the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) Cooperative Agreements. The allocation was part of a $21 million nationwide grant distributed to nine states.
The funding is to be used to improve education, training, and employment opportunities for adults who are unemployed and/or receiving Social Security disability benefits. The project will run through September 2013.
"During these difficult economic times, we want to make it possible for all workers, especially those with disabilities, to benefit from the Labor Department's employment and retraining services that have a proven success rate," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.
The Maine Department of Labor will implement the DEI project, building upon its work with the Disability Program Navigator grant. That grant helped people with disabilities better connect with the many resources of Maine’s CareerCenters (as reported in earlier newsletters) with assistance from staff called Disability Resource Coordinators (DRCs).
One lead DRC will work in Augusta and two others will work at the Bangor and Portland CareerCenters. In addition, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will hire two Rehabilitation Counselors who will work at CareerCenters.
Another initiative will be for the department’s Bureau of Employment Services (BES) to expand its services as an ‘employment network’ under the Ticket to Work Program. BES will implement this program at their One-Stop CareerCenters statewide (BES began its employment network services in Bangor, Midcoast and Aroostook County in summer of 2009).
There are two local workforce boards participating in the project, the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board (Penobscot, Piscataquis and Hancock Counties) and Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc. (York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Waldo and Knox Counties). The Commission on Disability and Employment (CDE) will serve as the project’s Steering Committee.
The grant also supports partnerships and services provided by multiple workforce and disability systems. In Maine, partners include: Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, the CHOICES CEO project, the Department of Health and Human Services, Work Incentive Planning and Assistance project, Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security, Commission on Disability and Employment, and educational and community organizations.
For more information about the project, please contact Auta Main at Auta.m.main@maine.gov or (207) 623-7975.
Maine Department of Labor Receives Workforce Data Quality Initiative Grant
Maine was one of 13 states to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The grant funds building or expanding longitudinal databases of workforce data that is also linked to education data. States will use these databases to analyze the effectiveness of employment and training programs.
The $1 million Maine grant will improve upon a partially developed longitudinal database by linking education and workforce information. The grant award will improve Maine’s ability to house, manage and increase the quality, security and confidentiality of longitudinal data.
In conjunction with the Maine Department of Education, the statewide longitudinal database system will be expanded. Other partners in the initiative include the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Economic and Community Development, and Maine State Planning Office.
For more information, contact John Dorrer, Director at john.dorrer@maine.gov or (207) 621-5179.
Mark Your Calendar
WISE SEMINAR - Springvale, ME
November 23, 2010
1:30 - 3:30 pm
Nasson Community Center, 457 Maine Street
WISE are events that provide Social Security beneficiaries and their family members with the opportunity to learn how to take advantage of Social Security Work Incentives, including Ticket to Work. Registration is required: go to CESSI's website.
Business Partnerships in a Down Economy: Webinar
December 9, 2010
2:00 - 3:00 EST
Employment for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and More Significant Support Needs: A Two-Part Webinar Series
December 8 & 15, 2010
1:00 - 2:30 EST
Go here for more calendar items
Employment for ME Summit Rolls Out New Employment Policy
On November 15th, nearly 300 people attended the “Employment for ME Summit” at the Augusta Civic Center. The theme was “building upon past success for the next decade.”
The first half of the conference was for the leadership of case management agencies and advocacy organizations. At this session, the new Department of Health & Human Services employment policy was unveiled. The policy 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.”
The keynote speakers were Brenda Harvey, Commissioner of the Department of Health & Human Services, and Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Department of Labor. Both commissioners shared their vision of employment for all Maine citizens.
At the start of the conference both Commissioners presented a special recognition of Jim Schmidt for his "remarkable contribution to the health and welfare of those who have been challenged with mental health issues." The full recognition letter can be read here (MSWord).
Afterwards, DHHS Office Directors met in small groups with conference attendees to discuss how their office practices will support the new employment policy.
The afternoon session, titled “Providing a Bridge between Policy & Practice,” was for case managers, community integration workers and supervisors. Training workshops covered topics such as:
- Nuts & Bolts of Working with Individuals to Promote Employment;
- Adult Mental Health Community Integration Workers Supporting Employment;
- Working Together with the Department of Labor
- Labor Laws and Disability Rights Regarding Employment; and
- The role of CWICS (Benefit Specialists) in Supporting Employment Outcomes.
Material and photos from the Conference will be available soon on the EmploymentforME website.
Disability Mentoring Day: Popular Event Brings Over 100 Young People Together with Employers
Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is a national event that promotes career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through hands-on career exploration, on-site job shadowing, and ongoing mentoring, leading to internship and employment opportunities. Events occurred across the state.
Southern Maine: One Student’s Experience Following a Caring Profession
Each year, the Southern Maine Disability Mentoring Day Committee organizes job shadow opportunities as part of Disability Mentoring Day. This year over 60 job shadows were organized for young people and other job seekers in Cumberland and York Counties.
Barbara Phillips, a recent graduate of Portland West High School, participated in DMD because of her interest in becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant and working with the elderly. Through DMD, Barbara was matched with Ledgewood Manor Nursing Home in Windham. While there, Barbara assisted the Activities Coordinator in organizing a music event and helped the residents participate.
Barbara had fun, and felt welcomed by the staff and residents. When asked what the best part of the experience was, Barbara replied: “Getting to meet the residents; they had so many stories to tell.” As a result of Barbara’s successful job shadow, she was asked to become a regular volunteer at Ledgewood Manor. Now Barbara is preparing her application to JobCorps, through which she will train to become a CNA and get her driver’s license.
The day’s events in southern Maine culminated in a gathering at the Portland CareerCenter. More than 20 young people listened to presentations by the Bureau of Employment Services on the job-search process and the state’s CareerCenters. The workshop was followed by a human resources panel with participants from US Cellular, Time Warner Cable, Manpower and Browne Trading Company. Both workshops gave participants the opportunity to ask a variety of questions, ranging from what to wear to an interview to how to navigate the online application process.
Northern Maine DMD: Forty Job Seekers Meet with Employers to Gain Insights into Opportunities
Forty job seekers of all ages from the Tri-County area gathered for employment-related activities and workshops. The event featured four local employers: Hollywood Slots, LL Bean, Geaghan’s Restaurant, and Walmart. Representatives from each met with participants to talk about their company’s mission, business challenges, hiring practices and culture. The day also included workshops in disability disclosure strategies, and interview preparation.
Disability Mentoring Day was supported by the local community. The event had the generous support of Husson University (which provided the meeting space), the Olive Garden and Walmart (which donated food and beverages). Culinary Arts trainees from Penobscot Job Corps Academy provided hospitality for the lunch hour. Door prizes donated by various employers and sponsors added fun to the day.
Updates
Engaging with Employers Breakfast Series: Summary of Final 2010 Breakfast
Are you recruiting and employing people with disabilities in the southern Maine area? Do you wish you had access to good information, or a quality working relationship with an agency experienced in this area? Then you may be interested in our Breakfast Networking Series, which is held every other month.
The final breakfast networking event for 2010 was held on November 10 at the USM Abromson Center in Portland. Diversity, disability and older workers were the topics discussed by several presenters.
Jennifer Simpson, director of human resources at Custom Disability Solutions, represented Maine's Working Together Business Network at the U.S. Business Leadership Network Conference in Chicago. Jennifer shared some of the information and enthusiasm about diversity and disability initiatives that she gathered at the conference which could be useful here in Maine.
Maggie Vishneau, and Larry Ullian, both from the Aging Worker Initiative, discussed Maine's mature workforce as a valuable business resource, reviewed the myths and facts about older adults in the workplace, and talked about successful strategies that have been tried by other businesses in attracting and retaining older workers.
See eight short videos from the April and June sessions here. Videos from the November session will be posted shortly.
Opportunity for Businesses Owned by those with a Disability
The US Business Leadership Network invites business owners who have a disability (including service-disabled veterans) to participate in the Disability Supplier Diversity Program. This program offers owners an opportunity to improve their chances at winning contracts with corporations and government agencies.
To learn more about how to obtain Disability-Owned Business Enterprise Certification through this program, contact Aditi Dussault, director of Affiliate Relations and the Disability Supplier Diversity Program, at aditi@usbln.org.
US Department of Labor Releases Veterans Hiring Toolkit for Employers
The U.S. Department of Labor has a new, free, online toolkit to guide employers who want to hire veterans.
"Many employers have told us that they are interested in developing or enhancing a veteran hiring initiative for their company, but that they don't know where to begin," said Ray Jefferson, assistant secretary for the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service. "This toolkit was created with these employers in mind. It's designed to simplify the process and put valuable, vetted resources at the employer's fingertips."
In addition to listing reputable online resources, the toolkit features a six-step process, which covers creating a welcoming environment for veteran employees; actively recruiting veterans, wounded warriors and military spouses; learning how to accommodate qualified veterans and wounded warriors in the workplace; and promoting an inclusive workplace to help retain veteran employees.
"Disabled veterans, including those experiencing the ‘invisible' wounds of war like traumatic brain injury and combat stress, are an important segment of the disability population that needs our support when transitioning to civilian employment,” said Kathleen Martinez, assistant secretary for the department's Office of Disability Employment Policy.
Whether employers are looking to create a veterans hiring program from scratch or retool existing efforts, the toolkit can help them implement a customized initiative.
To access the toolkit, visit http://www.AmericasHeroesAtWork.gov/
forEmployers/HiringToolkit.
Online Resource Available for State-by-State Disability Statistics
Large quantities of survey data and administrative records related to people with disabilities are collected each year. Yet, this information lacks continuity and is underused, leading to missed opportunities to improve the programs and policies that advance the lives of people with disabilities. As a solution, the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics has created an online compilation of this data. Topics covered include income, employment, vocational rehabilitation, special education, Medicaid, and more.
Ticket to Work System Update
As reported in the previous newsletters, this year the CHOICES CEO project has been focusing on the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work initiative.
This effort started with a Ticket to Work Training Institute held in June. The event offered training to organizations that provide job preparation and placement services under the Ticket to Work program. Since that Institute, a series of monthly phone calls with Employment Networks (ENs) in Maine have been held. (ENs are service providers approved by the Ticket to Work program.)
These calls provide an opportunity for participants to share information, learn about new Ticket program information, and discuss ways that ENs can contribute toward Ticket to Work system development in Maine. See notes from the August, September and November calls.
The next call is scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, December 1. These calls are open to all Maine organizations that are now ENs or are considering becoming an EN. Contact Larry Glantz at glantz@usm.maine.edu if you want to participate in this call.
Fun Fact
You can keep track of the progress of the Ticket to Work program in Maine by using the Ticket Tracker.The webpage shows that in Maine, as of Oct. 21, 2010, there have been 76, 272 Tickets issued, eight contracts with Employment Networks, and that 171 Tickets have been assigned to ENs. Two years ago—before the current version of the new Ticket rules—only 37 Tickets had been assigned in Maine.
