When Jason graduated from high school at 22, his family worried about what came next. Would he continue to grow? Would he find purpose? Would he be isolated at home without the structure and social connections school provided?
Today, Jason works at a local grocery store three days a week, stocking shelves and helping customers. He earns minimum wage, has coworkers who invite him to lunch, and feels pride in contributing to his community.
“I have a job,” he tells everyone. “A real job.”
Jason’s story isn’t unique — it’s increasingly the norm in Maine, where Employment First policies and innovative support services are opening doors to competitive integrated employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
At Families Matter, we’ve watched this transformation unfold over our nearly thirty years of service. The individuals we support aren’t just participating in community activities — they’re contributing to their communities through meaningful work, building careers, and discovering capabilities they didn’t know they had.
Understanding Employment First in Maine
Maine is an Employment First state, meaning competitive integrated employment must be the first and preferred option offered by state agencies to individuals with disabilities. This isn’t just policy — it reflects a fundamental shift in how we think about work, inclusion, and opportunity.
Competitive integrated employment means working alongside people without disabilities in typical community workplaces, earning at least minimum wage, and having opportunities for growth and advancement. Maine prohibits subminimum wages for people with disabilities — a law enacted in 2020 that reinforces our state’s commitment to fair and equitable employment.
The numbers tell an encouraging story. According to national data, about 16% of adults receiving services from state I/DD agencies work in competitive integrated jobs. In these roles, individuals work an average of 28 hours per week and earn an average of $14.38 per hour.
While there is still room for growth, the trend is moving in the right direction. From just a few thousand people in integrated employment in 1988 to more than 130,000 today, the movement toward real jobs for real pay continues to expand nationwide.
Why Employment Matters
A job provides far more than a paycheck.
Employment offers financial independence, meaningful routines, and social connections that develop naturally through working alongside others. It creates a sense of purpose — knowing your efforts matter to coworkers, customers, and the community.
Perhaps most importantly, employment offers identity beyond disability. When someone is asked, “What do you do?” being able to answer, “I work at the grocery store,” or “I help care for animals,” changes the conversation entirely.
Research consistently shows that people with I/DD want competitive, integrated jobs. Among those not currently employed, 41% say they would like to work in the community. The challenge is not motivation or interest — it’s access to the right supports at the right time.
Maine’s Employment Support System
For many families, understanding employment supports can feel overwhelming at first. There are multiple agencies, unfamiliar terms, and different services that may come into play — and it’s not always clear where to begin.
The good news is that Maine has a strong network of supports designed to work together. With the right guidance and coordination, families do not have to navigate this process alone.
Key Agencies
Maine Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
VR helps people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment. Services may include pre-employment transition supports, vocational assessments, career counseling, and initial job placement.
Contact VR through Maine CareerCenter locations statewide or by calling 1-800-698-4440.
Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS): OADS administers MaineCare Home and Community-Based Services Waivers, including Sections 21 and 29. These waivers fund long-term employment supports and coordinate closely with VR to ensure continuity of services. More information is available at maine.gov/dhhs/oads.
Department of Education: For students, transition planning begins as early as age 16. The Department of Education coordinates pre-employment transition services and helps connect young adults with VR and adult service systems.
MaineCare Waiver Employment Services: Once an individual is enrolled in Section 21 or Section 29 waiver services, employment supports can become an important part of their person-centered plan.
These services help turn interest in work into real opportunity and include:
Career Planning (up to 60 hours): Hands-on exploration across at least three different businesses to help identify interests, strengths, and preferred work environments.
Job Development: Support connecting with employers, exploring job customization, and navigating applications and interviews.
Work Support: On-the-job coaching to learn tasks, build relationships with supervisors and coworkers, and develop confidence during the training period.
Employment Specialist Support: Ongoing assistance to strengthen workplace relationships, expand job skills, and address concerns early — helping prevent small challenges from becoming job-ending issues.
Finding Your Employment Pathway
There is no single “right” path to employment. Each person’s journey looks different, and goals may evolve over time.
Understanding the main employment pathways can help individuals and families identify the approach that best fits their needs, strengths, and preferences.
Direct Competitive Employment: Best for individuals ready to work with minimal ongoing support. VR typically provides short-term services before transitioning to natural workplace supports.
Supported Employment: Designed for individuals who benefit from ongoing assistance through waiver-funded employment services, including job coaching and long-term employment specialist check-ins. Many people supported by Families Matter follow this pathway.
Customized Employment: Involves creating or tailoring job roles based on unique skills and employer needs when traditional job descriptions are not the right fit.
Self-Employment: Offers flexibility for individuals with specific interests or entrepreneurial goals. Waiver services may support business planning, marketing, and consultation.
Volunteer-to-Employment: Builds skills, confidence, and references through volunteering, often leading naturally to paid work. Families Matter’s community partnerships frequently support this pathway.
How Families Matter Supports Employment Success
At Families Matter, employment success does not begin with a job application — it begins with confidence, connection, and meaningful community experience.
Our volunteer partnerships are not simply activities; they are opportunities to build real-world skills that translate directly into the workplace.
At the Augusta Food Bank, individuals practice task completion, teamwork, and time management.
Through local nursing home partnerships, they build interpersonal skills, professional communication, and reliability.
At animal shelters, participants develop responsibility, physical stamina, and the ability to follow detailed procedures.
These experiences help individuals discover what they enjoy, what they’re good at, and what kind of work environment feels right.
Our Employment Support Advantage
Individualized Support (3:1 Staff Ratio)
Our low staff-to-individual ratio allows for personalized attention to employment goals. We observe strengths through daily interaction, support trial work experiences, and coordinate closely with employment specialists.
Person-Centered Planning
Employment interests are part of every person-centered plan. We collaborate with VR counselors, case managers, and employment providers to ensure everyone is working toward shared goals.
Community Integration as Workplace Readiness
Daily programming builds essential employment skills — following schedules, working as part of a team, problem-solving, and communicating with supervisors — long before a first day on the job.
Ongoing Coordination
We offer flexible scheduling around work hours, assist with transportation problem-solving, and help maintain consistency between community services and employment expectations.
Essential Maine Employment Resources
Employment for ME (employmentforme.org): Central hub for employment resources, inclusive hiring information, and success stories.
Maine Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: 1-800-698-4440 | maine.gov/rehab/dvr
Disability Rights Maine (drme.org): Advocacy and legal support related to employment rights.
211 Maine: Resource navigation for employment referrals and transportation supports.
Regional Workforce Development Boards and CareerCenters: Job fairs, training opportunities, and employer connections across Maine.
Kennebec Valley Community College (https://www.kvcc.me.edu/): Workforce training programs tailored to individuals with disabilities.
Overcoming Common Employment Barriers
“Will I lose my benefits?”
Many public benefits include work incentives designed to support employment. MaineCare may continue through Medicaid Buy-In programs. SSI typically reduces gradually, not dollar-for-dollar. SSDI includes trial work periods and extended eligibility. Benefits counseling through VR can help families understand options before making decisions.
“What about transportation?”
Transportation solutions may include family support, public transit where available, non-emergency medical transportation, employer flexibility, or rideshare coordination. Families Matter works collaboratively to identify workable solutions.
“Will employers really hire someone with I/DD?”
Yes. Many employers report strong reliability, low turnover, improved workplace culture, tax credit eligibility, and added support from employment specialists during training.
“What if it doesn’t work out?”
Employment is a learning process. Waiver services continue without penalty, skills transfer to future opportunities, and supports remain available. Finding the right fit sometimes takes time — and that’s okay.
Your Employment Action Plan
This process does not happen all at once, and families move through it at their own pace — often with support from multiple team members along the way.
Clarify Goals (1–2 weeks): Identify interests, skills, preferred hours, and support needs.
Connect with Vocational Rehabilitation (2–4 weeks): Complete intake, assessments, and employment planning.
Coordinate Services (ongoing): Update person-centered plans and align waiver services.
Explore Options (2–6 months): Participate in career planning, business visits, volunteering, or job shadowing.
Job Development (varies): Apply, interview, tour workplaces, and finalize job details.
Training and Support (3–6 months): Receive intensive coaching during the learning period.
Long-Term Success (ongoing): Transition to less intensive support while planning for growth.
The Bottom Line: Employment Is Achievable
Employment success for adults with I/DD is not a distant goal — it is achievable and supported by Maine law, state policy, dedicated funding, and committed professionals.
Success grows from clear goals, thoughtful planning, patient job development, ongoing support, and belief in each person’s abilities.
At Families Matter, we’re proud to help build that foundation — through skill development, community connection, reliability, and confidence.
Whether the goal is competitive employment, part-time work, self-employment, or volunteer experiences that may lead to paid roles, resources and support exist across Maine to make meaningful work possible.
Ready to Take the Next Steps?
Questions about how Families Matter supports employment goals? Our Assistant Directors are happy to talk through how community support services help prepare individuals for employment success.
Hallowell: Jane Lerette – 207-621-1023
Gardiner: Erica Poulin – 207-203-0004
Skowhegan: Melinda King – 207-621-2992
Waterville: Debra Wells – 207-616-3284
Every person has talents to contribute. Let’s work together to discover the employment pathway that honors individual goals and builds on meaningful strengths.