Narrative: j. 1. A.

In June 2014, Maine’s legislature enacted the Employment First Maine Act (Sec. A-1. 26 MRSA c.3), which was a natural progression in Maine’s focus on competitive integrated employment as a valued outcome for the state’s citizens with disabilities.  It set forth that the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Education must implement employment as a core component of services and supports provided and is the first and preferred service or support option offered to individuals with disabilities. 

The Act also convened a time-limited coalition of interested parties, including employers, state agency representatives, advocacy organizations, and people with disabilities, to review and make recommendations regarding the improvement of the administration of employment services and the employment outcomes of people with disabilities.  Before its sunset in October 2016, the Employment First Maine Coalition produced a report summarizing the work that was completed and identifying twenty-seven recommendations for consideration by the Governor, the Legislature and state agencies, primarily identifying strategies that encourage the employment of youth and adults with disabilities, engage the business community, and improve EFM performance measures. 

DVR is committed to the philosophy of Employment First and this has shaped all procedural guidance and operations since the law’s passage in Maine. In particular, DVR has expanded opportunities for work-based learning and paid work experience for students with significant disabilities which has resulted in changing trajectories for young people who may have not been thought of by their families and schools as able to work in the community at a competitive wage.

DHHS currently supports approximately 6,000 people with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, other related conditions and physical disabilities through five Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) 1915c Waivers. Individuals receiving waiver services have significant disabilities and require supports and services to obtain and maintain employment. 

The waivers allow individuals who have been found eligible for the Maine Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) Services based on disability/eligibility to become prepared for employment through Community Supports Services that can assist the person to volunteer, increase work-readiness skills, and address issues of health and safety.  The Brain Injury waiver expanded to include a Work Ordered Day Clubhouse and the first one opened in the fall of 2017 in southern Maine.  Career Planning Services are now available under all four waivers for people who need to spend time exploring interests, skills and abilities prior to going to Vocational Rehabilitation.

The service of Career Planning funded under the waivers has continued to serve 75 to 100 people a year prior to a referral for Vocational Rehabilitation.  Furthermore, OADS is providing on-the-job support through the waivers to about 1,000 people who are working throughout Maine.  These waivers funded services which provided support to both the individual to maintain employment, including support to the employer. 

Beginning in 2018, all Intake and Eligibility staff share information on employment as they meet people and their families for the first time.  In the packet OADS provides during intake, there is an Employment Pathway visual, an Employment Services VR brochure, and Work and Benefit Counseling information, all of which show work is possible.

The Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with other State Agencies and partners, continues to implement the recommendations that were developed by the Employment First Maine Coalition.  The Offices of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Child and Family Services, and Aging and Disability Services have committed to work together to ensure that the outcome of employment of people with disabilities is a strong focus of the services they provide.

 During the past year, DHHS has created new resources, developed additional employment services, and has begun to expand expectations that service providers all have a responsibility to promote employment as the first and preferred outcome.  

The data shows there are 36,860 SSI recipients and 64,708 SSDI recipients living in Maine.  Based on the fact many of these individuals are eligible for both SSI and SSDI, BRS cannot compute a precise total of individuals eligible for Social Security benefits.  It is estimated there are approximately 83,603 Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities living in Maine, all of whom would meet the DVR eligibility definition of “substantial impediment to employment.” For more information see https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr/stateplan/