June Forums Assist Social Security Beneficiaries in Identifying Work Opportunities

May 30, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2014

Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 207-621-5009

Ticket to Work helps people with disabilities ?Choose Fulfillment. Choose Earnings. Choose Work!?

AUGUSTA?Maine CareerCenters are hosting a series of community forums in June highlighting incentives to assist people receiving Social Security disability benefits return to work. The public is welcome to attend. Pre-registration is encouraged.

?Our departments are changing the employment culture in Maine by helping people who are receiving benefits focus on what they can do, rather than what they can?t,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. "These workshops will help those who want a job?but are worried that they will be cut off completely from services they depend upon?get the assurance they need to return to the world of work. Our economy benefits when everyone is included and no one is isolated.?

More information about the Ticket-to-Work program is available at http://www.mainecareercenter.com/docs/collectingssiorssdiback to work.pdf .

?The Ticket-to-Work program connects people with disabilities who are ready to return to work with the information they need to make informed choices,? said Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette. ?This program not only educates but also eases the way back to work in a supportive environment. People are able to build relationships with coworkers, customers and their community while improving their financial situation and quality of life.?

Participants will learn about the Ticket-to-Work initiative that provides many Social Security beneficiaries with more choices for receiving employment services. The program encourages eligible Mainers to work through the CareerCenter network to access employment and training services, vocational rehabilitation and other support services necessary to achieve an employment goal. Each CareerCenter in the state has staff available to assist people with disabilities.

To register or to learn more, people interested should contact their regional CareerCenter. The contact information for each CareerCenter?s Ticket-to-Work liaison is listed along with the fall workshop date and time. Additional employment resources for individuals with disabilities are available at http://www.employmentforme.org . TTY users should call Maine Relay 711.

Augusta CareerCenter, June 16, 2014, 1 to 3 p.m. Contact: Kathy Hounsell, 207-623-7999 or 888-457-8883, Kathleen.B.Hounsell@maine.gov

Bangor CareerCenter, June 23, 2014, 1 to 3 p.m. Contact: Mike Johnson, 207-561-4050 or 1-888-828-0568, Michael.J.Johnson@maine.gov

Brunswick CareerCenter, June 26, 2014, 1 to 3 p.m. Contact: Patrice Daigle, 207-373-4000 or 1-800-836-3355, Patrice.A.Daigle@maine.gov

Calais CareerCenter, June 11, 2014, 10 a.m. to noon. Contact: Donald Rice, 207-454-7551 or 1-800-543-0303, 207-255-1934 or 1-800-292-8929, Donald.K.Rice@maine.gov

Lewiston CareerCenter, June 5, 2014, 9 to 11 a.m. Contact: Linda Roberts or Patti Gray, 207-753-9000 or 1-800-741-2991, Linda.J.Roberts@maine.gov or Patricia.L.Gray@maine.gov

Portland CareerCenter: June 12, 2014, 1 to 3 p.m. Contact: Senja St. John, 207-771-5627 or 1-877-594-5627, Senja.St.John@maine.gov

Presque Isle CareerCenter, June 18, 2014, 10 a.m. to noon. Contact: Peter Lento, 207-760-6300 or 1-800-635-0357, Peter.Lento@maine.gov

Rockland CareerCenter, June 2, 2014, 1 to 3 p.m. Contact: Doug Winterich, 207-596-2600 or 1-877-421-7916, Douglas.e.winterich@maine.gov

Skowhegan CareerCenter, June 29, 2014, 1 to 3 p.m. Contact: Joanne Noyes, 207-474-4950 or 1-800-760-1572, Joanne.M.Noyes@maine.gov

Springvale CareerCenter, June 9, 2014, 1 to 3 p.m., Springvale. Contact: Kathy Hounsell, 207-623-7999 or 888-457-8883, kathleen.b.hounsell@maine.gov

Wilton CareerCenter, June 5, 2014, 1 to 3 p.m. Contact: Cheryl Moran, 207-645-5800 or 1-800-982-4311, Cheryl.a.moran@maine.gov

Maine?s statewide network of CareerCenters provide one-stop employment resources, including computers and Internet access, for job seekers and employers. Services for job seekers include job referrals, career counseling, job hunting workshops, labor market information, skills assessment and information on training. CareerCenters also offer specialized employment services for people with disabilities.

For more information, visit your local CareerCenter or call 1-888-457-888 (TTY users dial Maine Relay 711) or visit http://www.mainecareercenter.com .

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