Maine's Disability Employment Initiative
The Disability Employment Initiative grant aims to increase outcomes in education, training and employment for adults with disabilities through Maine's workforce development system (Maine’s CareerCenters). Improving the accessibility, capacity, and accountability of the Career Center system to serve customers with disabilities will result in education and career pathways that lead to unsubsidized employment and economic self-sufficiency.
Program partners, including Maine’s LWIB regions I and II, Bureau of Employment Service’s (BES) Network of CareerCenters and Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), will work together to revise and/or establish new permanent statewide/regional systems and policies to better serve people with disabilities. Another critical component of the grant is expanding the workforce system's involvement with the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work program.
- MAINE is one of nine states selected to receive funding through the DEI grant
- The grant timeline is from October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2013
- Funding is provided by the USDOL and Office of Disability Employment Policy
- Randee Chafkin, Senior Program Coordinator for Disability Programs is our National DOL/ETA contact for the grant
Disability Employment Initiative FAQ
Information on the Flexible Employment Fund
Maine CareerCenters Ticket to Work Program
Additional questions regarding the Disability Employment Initiative should be directed to Gwen LaPointe, Disability Resource Coordinator, glapointe@emdc.org or 207.561.4095
