Education Forums Highlight Work Opportunities for Social Security Beneficiaries Bookmark and Share

June 1, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 31, 2012 Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 207-621-5009

Maine CareerCenters are hosting a series of community forums in June highlighting work incentives to help people receiving Social Security disability benefits return to work. Events are scheduled in Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston, Machias and Presque Isle. The public is welcome to attend. Pre-registration is encouraged.

?These efforts are focused on jobs for people who have disabilities,? said Maine Labor Commissioner Robert Winglass. ?These sessions will help inform the public about the variety of services available that support people with disabilities in achieving their employment goals.? 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 to access employment and training services, vocational rehabilitation, and other support services necessary to achieve an employment goal. Session locations and dates are as follows:

June 13 - Machias CareerCenter 10?11:30 a.m. Contact Don Rice (800) 543-0303

June 6 - Presque Isle CareerCenter 10?11:30 a.m. Peter Lento or Kent DeMerchant (800) 635-0357

June 7 - Lewiston CareerCenter 10?11:30 a.m. Contact Linda Roberts or Patti Gray (800) 741-2991

June 14 - Augusta CareerCenter 10?11:30 a.m. Contact Tracy Hotham (800) 760-1573

June 12 - Bangor CareerCenter 1?2:30 p.m. Contact Mike Johnson (888) 828-0568

Maine?s statewide network of CareerCenters provide one-stop employment resources 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. The public can use the CareerCenter to access the Internet for employment related purposes and computers are available for resume development. CareerCenters also offer specialized employment services for people with disabilities.

For more information, visit your local CareerCenter, call 1-888-457-8883 (TTY: 1-800-794-1110) or visit www.mainecareercenter.com.