Maine's CHOICES CEO Project

Expanding Opportunities for Workers with Disabilities

Employment Services and Support

Maine Resources

Maine Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Evaluates Support of Educational Services: CHOICES CEO staff worked with Maine's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to analyze the support it provides for individuals with disabilities that it serves, particularly in relation to vocational outcomes.
Sheltered Workshop Conversion Resources: A new web resource has been created to allow the sharing of a variety of Sheltered Workshop Conversion resources that can inform and help current efforts work in Maine. Included on this page are resources brough back from a recent Vermont Institute by a Maine team.
Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment: This report was recently completed with assistance from the CHOICES CEO project. It is a systems-level needs assessment of Maine's general vocational rehabilitation program. It explains the vocational rehabilitation process, and contains charts and narrative on topics such as the number of people using services, waiting times, employment outcomes and satisfaction with services.
Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities (PDF): The report identifies resources, opportunities and challenges for building vocational supports that will increase employment for people with developmental disabilities. (January 2007) Also available in Microsoft Word format.
Maine Ticket to Work Program: The Maine Ticket to Work Program is part of a national initiative that gives people who receive Social Security disability benefits the training and support they need to go to work.
MaineCare Personal Assistance Services in the Workplace Report (PDF): This report focuses on personal assistance services provided in the workplace with MaineCare funding. It was produced by the CHOICES project at the Muskie School for Public Service, University of Southern Maine. This report is also available in Word.
Personal Assistance Services for Workers with Disabilities: Case Studies (PDF): In 2002 and 2004, the CHOICES CEO project conducted in-depth interviews with people who had a range of disabilities. The study contains detailed information about the experiences, challenges and needs of people with disabilities who are working, or who want to work, and who require personal assistance services. Also availabl in Microsoft Word format.
We Want to Work: New Opportunities for People with Disabilities: In October 2005, a forum was held at the Maine State House for those interested in improving employment supports and services for workers with disabilities. In addition to photos and media coverage, notes from workgroup sessions are available for download.

National Resources

Creating Effective Business Partnerships: What Businesses Want Human Service Agencies to Know: A quick overview of how service agency staff can be more effective when trying to place a worker with a disability.
The National Coalition of Health Systems Development Library: A library of helpful resource materials, including many on vocational rehabilitation and related employment-support services.
National Ticket to Work Program: This is the Social Society Administration web site for Ticket to Work, a program that helps people who receive Social Security disability benefits get the training and support they need to go to work.
Social Security Administration 2008 Red Book: The Red Book is a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income Programs.
The Vermont Work Incentives Initiative: This project is a partnership of VocRehabVermont and the Vermont MIG (a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant recipient like Maine's CHOICES CEO project). VocRehabVermont, the state's vocational rehabilitation agency, is well known for its excellent service and innovative programs. The site includes resources for both employers and job seekers. It contains data about disability and services in Vermont, in addition to an effective annual report.