CHOICES CEO Project-Visual Description

This is a graphic showing the Strategic Plan Implementation Activities for Years 2-4 (2006 – 2008) of Maine's "CHOICES CEO" Project.

The University of Southern Maine's Muskie School provides staffing and research support (group facilitation, technical assistance, research analysis, document and data clearing house, survey research, outreach and education, and State-to-State technical assistance) to the Department of Heath and Human Services (DHHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and Other Contractors including Maine Medical Center, Alpha One, and Disability Rights Center. DHHS and DOL are the CEO Co-lead agencies, with DHHS holding the grantee fiscal and oversight role.

The aforementioned groups work closely with the Commission on Disability and Employment to implement the Strategic Priority Activities along with a broad involvement of agencies and other stakeholders.

• Strategic Priority 1: Create an employer outreach and education plan.
• Strategic Priority 2: Ensure that Maine state government is a model employer for people with disabilities.
• Strategic Priority 3: Post-secondary Education and Employment Services for Youth Transitioning from School to Work.
• Strategic Priority 4: Improvement of Vocational Rehabilitation Service System.
• Strategic Priority 5: Benefits Counseling System Development.
• Strategic Priority 6: Enhance data collection about workers with disabilities and ensure that data can be shared by relevant agencies providing services.
• Other Strategic Areas: MaineCare Workers with Disabilities Option (Medicaid Buy-In); Ticket to Work; Medicare (including Prescription Services).

The Commission on Disability and Employment is the lead group for implementing the Strategic Plan activities. The Commission will inform the Maine Jobs Council (Maine's Statewide Workforce Investment Board) who will then work with the Governor (including the Workforce and Children's Cabinets), the Maine Legislature, and the Public (including the media) to help implement the Strategic Priority Areas.

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