State: Maine

Maine Farm Labor Link Network: Disabled Employees

“All employees have their strengths and weaknesses. Those with disabilities are no different although some of their abilities may be more pronounced which can be a tremendous asset in the diverse field of agriculture. People with disabilities bring different talents, backgrounds and perspectives which can lead to increased productivity. Those with disabilities are often the most loyal and long-term employees, bringing a sense of pride and commitment to the work so many farmers are looking for. There are several organizations with the skills and resources to assist these individuals work safely and productively in agriculture.”

Click on the link to “Disabled Employees” to learn more.

Links:

Maine Farm Labor Link Network: Disabled Employees

Maine HB 1341: Subminimum Wage (2020)

“Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §666, as amended by PL 2011, c. 483, §1, is further amended to read:

§666. Workers with disabilities

The director may not issue to an employer for a person with a disability a special certificate authorizing the employer to pay that person a wage less than the minimum wage, based on the ability of the person to perform the duties required for that employment in comparison to the ability of a person who does not have a disability to perform the same duties. An employer may not pay less than the minimum wage to a person by virtue of that person’s having a mental or physical disability. A special certificate authorizing the payment of less than minimum wage to a person with a mental or physical disability issued pursuant to a law of this State or to a federal law is without effect.”

Links:

Maine HB 1340: Bill Text

Maine Developmental Disabilities Council

“The Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is a partnership of people with disabilities, their families, and agencies which identifies barriers to community inclusion, self determination, and independence. The Council acts to effect positive change through advocacy, training, demonstration projects, and support for other inclusive and collaborative systemic change activities.”

Links:

Maine Developmental Disabilities Council - About MDDC

Maine’s Ticket To Work program

“”Ticket-to-Work” is a program from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for:

People, ages 18 – 64, who:

  • receive cash benefits from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or
  • receive cash benefits from Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • and want to work with the goal of someday supporting themselves.

The program began in Maine in November 2003 and is voluntary. People can use their tickets to get the services they need to go to work.

Service providers in the Ticket-to-Work Program are called “Employment Networks” or “EN’s.” In Maine there are several to choose from, including Maine’s Divisions for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) and Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).”

Links:

Maine’s Ticket To Work program

Maine Business Leadership Network

“The Maine Business Leadership Network is an employer-led affiliate of the US Business Leadership Network, a national organization that serves as the collective voice of over 60 Business Leadership Network affiliates across North America, representing over 5,000 employers."

“The Maine BLN will be focused on assisting businesses in attracting and retaining new employees and customers with disabilities, developing business leaders who value diversity and actively work to promote strong communities that include individuals with disabilities, and increasing opportunities for businesses to expand their diversity recruiting efforts, not as a social model but as a business case to recruit talent and better serve their customers.”

Links:

The Maine Business Leadership Network

Maine Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) Program

“PROMISE is a joint initiative of the US Department of Education, Social Security Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Labor. Under PROMISE, states will be funded to develop and implement model demonstration projects that promote positive outcomes for children who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and their families. PROMISE will improve the provision and coordination of services and supports for child SSI recipients and their families to enable them to achieve improved outcomes. Outcomes include: graduating from high school ready for college and a career, completing postsecondary education and job training, and obtaining competitive employment in an integrated setting and, as a result, achieving long-term reductions in the child recipients’ reliance on SSI.”

Links:

Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) grant program

Access Maine Transition Planning Tool-kit

“This guide will serve as an introduction to the world of “Adult Services” and will hopefully answer these questions and more. Our goal is to provide you with information that will address some of your concerns about what it will be like for your child when he/she has completed schooling. All young adults are different, as are all families. There is no single “right plan” in transition planning and what some families want for their child may or may not be what you want for yours. The best planning occurs when it considers contributions from a variety of sources: the student, the family, the school, representatives from adult service agencies, and other involved community members. It is meant to improve a student’s employment ability, continuing education options, housing options, and to develop a social and recreational network that continues after high school.” 

Links:

Transition Planning Guide Toolkit

Center for Learning (CFL) at the Muskie School of Public Service

“By overseeing competency-based certification programs for staff working in the mental health field, CFL supports best practice and informs policy in the area of workforce development. In administering the Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician (MHRT) certification programs, CFL develops knowledge competencies, designs and implements quality assurance processes, and assesses workers' qualifications. CFL also collaborates with academic institutions and other agencies in Maine that provide education and training to ensure that mental health courses, programs and trainers meet standards outlined in the MHRT/C Procedural Guidelines and Trainer and Curriculum Standards”.

Links:

Center for Learning (CFL) at the Muskie School of Public Service

Maine College of Direct Support – Work Supports Certificate

“Completion of the Maine College of Direct Support (ME CDS) is required for Direct Support Professionals supporting Maine citizens with intellectual disabilities and replaces the Direct Support Professional (DSP) Curriculum as meeting the training requirements for MaineCare Sections 21 and 29. … Currently, there are four types of certificates available in the Maine College of Direct Support that can only be obtained through an agency providing services to people with intellectual disabilities:” (1) Maine College of Direct Support Certificate; (2) Maine College of Direct Support – Shared Living Provider Certificate; (3) Maine College of Direct Support – Work Supports Certificate; and (4) Maine College of Direct Support – Case Manager Orientation Certificate.

Links:

Maine Dept of HHS, Aging and Disability Services. "Developmental Services"
PreviousNext
MTWTFSS
    123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031