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

September 4, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 4, 2012 Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 207-621-5009

Augusta?Maine CareerCenters are hosting a series of community forums in September 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:

Sept. 12 - Machias CareerCenter 10?11:30 a.m. Contact: Don Rice, (800) 543-0303

Sept. 12 - Presque Isle CareerCenter 10?11:30 a.m. Contact: Peter Lento or Kent DeMerchant, (800) 635-0357

Sept. 6 - Lewiston CareerCenter 10?11:30 a.m. Contact: Linda Roberts or Patti Gray, (800) 741-2991

Sept. 20 - Augusta CareerCenter 10?11:30 a.m. Contact: Tracy Hotham, (800) 760-1573

Sept. 24 - 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.

A new report on the employment challenges facing people with disabilities in Maine is available on the Center for Workforce Research and Information?s website, www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/pubs.html; the report is a joint effort of the Department of Labor? Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and the Department of Health and Human Services.

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