Commission on Disability & Employment

September 23, 2020: 9:00 AM
Frances Perkins Rm, 45 Commerce Dr., Augusta, ME

State Workforce Board COMMISSION ON DISABILITY AND EMPLOYMENT September 23, 2020 9:00 AM - 11:30 PM Central Maine Commerce Center 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta Frances Perkins Room Call in: 877-455-0244, Conference code: 9218175360 AGENDA 9:00 Welcome, Introductions 9:15 Review last meeting's minutes, SWB Update 9:30 Maine BLN Update - Libby Stone-Sterling, Director of Vocational Rehabilitation, BRS 10:00 SWB Disability Employment TA Bootcamp application - Joshua Howe, Workforce Development Program Coordinator 10:30 Break 10:45 Regroup, plan CDE priorities for 2021-22 11:30 Adjourn Next Meeting: November 4, 2020 9:00 12:00 Central Maine Commerce Center Frances Perkins Room / zoom


COMMISSION ON DISABILITY & EMPLOYMENT MEETING MINUTES 09/23/2020 VIA ZOOM

Present: Jennifer Kimble (Chair), Gayla Dwyer, Peaches Bass, Rachel Dyer, Karen Fraser, Renee Doble, Jeanie Coltart, Don Rice, Libby Stone-Sterling

Guest: Elizabeth Nitzel, Darcy Brockman, Business Account Manager Youth Employment

SWB Staff: Josh Howe, Cheryl Davis

Welcome & Introductions Jennifer Kimble opened the meeting at 9:03am. Jenn provided a brief overview of the Commission for guests stating this Commission is more of an advisory, advocate group.
Jenn called motion for approval of the 01/22/2020 meeting minutes with 1 correction, Rachel Dyer not Dwyer. Don Rice motioned. Jeanie Coltart seconded. Vote: Unanimous after correction.

SWB Update - Josh Howe State Plan was submitted. Since approved, received very little feedback. The full State Plan is on the SWB website. The link can be accessed off the home page. Quorum was not met for the meeting scheduled 09/18/2020. SWB meeting has been rescheduled to October 23rd. What is hurting us now, is 3 vacant seats. These seats have been vacant since January. 50% of the Board needs to be there and 50% needs to be employers. We're trying to make changes to the Bylaws but have had no quorum to approve. Josh will post the rescheduled meeting on the SWB website tomorrow. The meetings are public, and anyone can attend. Will share full link to Commission. This will be the first time for public comment at the end of the meeting.

Maine BLN Update Libby Stone-Sterling DVR support employers. Focus has been on Progressive Employment (model from VT). This model was piloted in Portland and Lewiston. Under the Progressive Employment model, we were able to do short term work experience. Had 3 clients and 1 was hired. Connects clients to businesses and worked with local businesses throughout the state. Business engagement is constantly happening. Bringing businesses into the classroom and the classroom into businesses. Making sure employers know about the CareerCenters Job Link. Elizabeth Nitzel Done quite a bit with the project in the last year with the TWBL Grant. Libby Getting people interested in the topic they are interested in results, wonderful. Libby Connecting with employers will be a requirement of the VR Counselor. Its a re-working of this position. Elizabeth We write down and document what activity we are providing and how we are assisting the employer. Darcy Brockman This helps employers not getting bombarded with calls. Karen Fraser Statewide measures...thats how well we are working with the community. Elizabeth Windmill training Talking with employers, staff, and supervisors getting to know their ideas and how it impacts working with people. Knowing what barriers, we are bringing to the table. New opportunity Talking with employers about hiring people with disabilities. TWBL Grant intervention and increasing awareness. Libby stated there was a reduction in dropouts (JMG) 20% were young males. Up to 350 students with disabilities have participated in TWBL. Elizabeth stated participation in JMG is voluntary/elective. Libby We are looking at what is the best and most effective model in Maine. Just because BLN is not functioning anymore, we still are connecting with employers. We will get data around break out of disability. Peaches Bass stated using business services to connect is great, would like to elaborate on that. Karen Fraser stated business to business is in the State Plan, we need to keep working at this. Jenn asked on future agendas, what are our thoughts in this area? Peaches Lets schedule into an agenda update on Bootcamp TA, TWBL, Progressive Employment. Make the focus of our meetings business to business/outreach services. Renee Doble Glenn Mills from CWRI to provide data where UI levels are right now.

Regroup, plan CDE priorities for 2021-22 The document was drafted back in January. Will present findings to Labor and Housing.
Now is a good time for public awareness. Renee Co-morbid Substance abuse and PWD. Peaches stated we almost need an asset map of what is going on, for example, OADS and VR. Consolidate of what we know. Jeanie Coltart stated the main issues are transportation, employment, employer focus, childcare, and Internet capacity. Jenn stated we need to start with the SWB Chairs and connect different initiatives. Josh
We dont have a coordinated voice. How to provide employer services? Responsible for improving services for PWD and bridging services. Coordinate activities with this Administration and connecting with the DECD. Great to see cooperation between the Chamber and us. Jenn stated what do we do next? Josh Be part of this and have more conversations. Jenn Whatever the next steps, it will be taking through VR per Libby Stone-Sterling. Josh stated he feels VR should not be leading the charge. Jenn Public awareness for disability employment: Not sure where to start? Money? Should advise somebody? Publicity would help. Social media? DOL has a Newsletter. YouTube advertisements. Facebook page. Jenn stated that it seems smart to have one of these as our strategies. Peaches Proposal. We commit each individually and send our choices with a short ZOOM. Jenn stated she will send the link with all the PSAs. Timewise, look at something mid-October to get something out. October is National Disability Month. Let Libby or Karen know. Gayla Dwyer Public Awareness: We really need to get that out there. Jenn APSE Conference. Anyone going to participate - strongly encourage if you can.

Next meeting: Get data status on PWD employment. Ruth or Glenn. We will have something to put into our annual report. Include membership. State Legislature, Admin? Karen stated you probably will not get very far until the next session. Someone from VRM to come and talk about COVID 19 and employment. Draft plan for upcoming year? Start over and recalibrate. APSE/data. Peaches Bass The CareerCenter is looking at reinstating some of their services. They have instituted Counselor of the Day.

Meeting adjourned at 11:24am. Peaches Bass motioned. Gayla Dwyer seconded.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9am 11:30am ZOOM

Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Davis


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