News
Did you recently obtain your ACRE Certificate?
If you received your ACRE Certificate through a different organization then MaineWorkingTogether or College of Employment Service/ICI please email me a copy of the certificate and we will add you to our Registry List.
Did you miss one of our webinars?
Access and watch any of the recorded webinars. For each webinar you watch, you can receive a letter of completion documenting one hour of professional development earned. Register and access the recordings on our Canvas online learning system.
The Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston (ICI) coordinates the implementation of Maine's Employment Services Workforce Development System (EWDS).
The ICI will work with the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS) at the University of Maine to support efforts to develop a strong employment workforce in the state of Maine. The Maine Working Together project will provide training, resources, and assistance to Maine employment services providers, individuals with disabilities, family members, and other collaborating team members to ensure that individualized community employment is available to everyone.
Employment First Maine Part 1
Learn about Employment First, and why it is important to Maine
Upcoming Trainings & Events

Fading Supports Training (counts towards Job Coach Certificate)
$FREE
zoom
Registration Information: Select Fading Supports Training from the options provided on the form
Critical to the success of individuals with disabilities in employment is successful fading and maximizing the use of natural supports. This FREE training will include why fading and natural supports are important for people with disabilities, programs that support them, and businesses that hire them. You will learn how to identify and use natural supports at the jobsite, when and how to implement systematic instruction and task analysis, and how to build the independence and confidence of the individual in the workplace. The training is appropriate for anyone providing support services to individuals and students with disabilities. Earn 6 hours of professional development time.
Registration deadline: Friday, December 1, 2023
Accommodation Request deadline: Must be received by Friday, November 24, 2023
Do you want to be a Maine Certified Support Professional?
This training also counts as part 2 of the: JOB COACH Credential Program
Earning the Job Coach Credential training consists of two parts:
Part 1 — Complete 18 modules of online training from the College of Employment Services (CES)
Part 2 — Attend this Fading Supports in the Workplace in-person training
The Part 1 online modules are on demand and available 24/7 — you can register and enroll at any time. Click here to register and learn more about the program.
For more information contact: Lara Enein, lara.enein@umb.edu
ACRE Online Employment Specialist Training
$FREE
online course and zoom
To Register: click on button below and select ACRE training on the form
Session runs: December 11th 2023 through March 15th, 2024
Join us for this unique instructor-supported online training to become a Certified Employment Specialist. The courses and fieldwork are all available online 24/7 and there is no traveling required. Log in and complete the work at your convenience. There are three required scheduled webinars to enhance your learning experience and network with other professionals in the group. Instructors are available during the training to answer any of your questions and support you in completing the required work. We provide ample time to complete all the required courses through the College of Employment Services and to submit your fieldwork assignments. You can pace yourself and finish as early in the training as you would like. You will receive your ACRE certificate as soon as you complete all the work.
Required Zoom webinars:
Monday, December 11th, 9:30–10:30am — Training Overview and Orientation
Wednesday, January 17, 9:30–10:30am — Fieldwork Discussion
Wednesday, March 5th, 9:30–10:30am — Implementing ACRE Best Practices
Technology Throughout The Employment Process: A Free Webinar Series- Part 1 of 3- Technology Tools On-The-Job
$Free
Zoom
This 3-part webinar series aims to provide up-to-date, practical, and relevant information to facilitate the use of technology across the many aspects of the employment process. Register for one, two, or all three of the webinar sessions at no cost. Each webinar session provides 1 hour of professional development. The webinar series is for anyone who performs job development activities and/or support to individuals at their jobsite.
Webinar #1-Technology Tools On-the-Job
Supporting individuals with disabilities on the job requires creativity. Employment professionals are often looking for new and effective ways to facilitate independence, decrease reliance on support staff, and increase the use of environmental supports. What role can technology play in this process? This session includes information on assistive technology and examples of educational and virtual meeting technology.
Format: 9:30–10:30am, presenters will share content related to the webinar topic. From 10:30–11:00am, facilitators will host a question-and-answer session, allowing participants to ask content-related or technical questions to the facilitators and other participants.
Accommodations: Please submit accommodation requests when you register for the webinar. We must receive your accommodation request at least two weeks before the webinar date.
Letters of Attendance: Participants must be present for the first hour of the webinar to get the link to their letter of attendance. Participants do not need to remain on the webinar for the question-and-answer portion to get a letter.
Technology Throughout The Employment Process: A Free Webinar Series- Part 2 of 3 - Best Practices in Social Media
$Free
zoom
This webinar series aims to provide up-to-date, practical, and relevant information to facilitate the use of technology across the many aspects of the employment process. Register for one, two, or all three of the following webinar sessions at no cost. This webinar session provides 1 hour of professional development. The webinar series is for anyone who performs job development activities and/or support to individuals at their jobsite.
Webinar #2-Best Practices in Social Media
Social media impacts almost every aspect of life, including developing professional networks
and establishing career goals. How job seekers represent themselves online matters. What can employment professionals do to support the online presence of the individuals they work with? This session covers social media do’s and don’ts, professional practices for job seekers and employment consultants on social media, digital safety precautions, ethical considerations, and more.
Format: Each webinar will be 90 minutes. From 9:30–10:30am, presenters will share content related to the webinar topic. From 10:30–11:00am, facilitators will host a question-and-answer session, allowing participants to ask content-related or technical questions to the facilitators and other participants.
Accommodations: Please submit accommodation requests when you register for the webinar. We must receive your accommodation request at least two weeks before the webinar date.
Letter of Attendance: We will provide letters of attendance for each individual webinar. Participants must be present for the first hour of the webinar to get the link to their letter of attendance. Participants do not need to remain on the webinar for the question-and-answer portion to get a letter of attendance.
Maine Career Planning Certification Training February 2024
$50.00
Zoom and in-person Augusta ME
A strong Career Planner has skills and abilities that support-
working with people one to one, ability to talk with businesses and learn and connect people to companies and capture accurate information and develop a detailed written Career Plan while staying organized.
Dates for the full Certificate Series:
February 1st , 10:30am to 12:30 pm (Zoom webinar)
February 8th, 8:30am–3:30pm (live in Augusta- arrive at 8:15)
February 15th, 10:30am to 12:30 pm (Zoom webinar)
February 29th, 10:30am to 12:30 pm (Zoom webinar)
Make up/Snow Day March 7th 10:30am to 12:30pm
To apply:
- You must be fully certified as a Work Support Professional or an ACRE Employment Specialist to attend this training
- You must attend all sessions to receive the certificate, after completing an evaluation
- There will be assigned homework between sessions
- The class will be limited to the first 15 enrollees
For questions, contact:Lisa.D.Sturtevant@maine.gov
Technology Throughout the Employment Process: A Free Webinar Series- Part 3 of 3-Practicing With Technology Tools
$Free
Zoom
This webinar series aims to provide up-to-date, practical, and relevant information to facilitate the use of technology across the many aspects of the employment process. Register for one, two, or all three of the following webinar sessions at no cost. Each webinar session provides 1 hour of professional development. The webinar series is for anyone who performs job development activities and/or support to individuals at their jobsite.
Webinar #3-Practicing With Technology Tools
Supporting job seekers in finding a job match has become increasingly digitized in the last several years. From online applications to virtual interviews to remotely engaging employers, technology plays a large role across the different stages of the employment process. This session examines various case scenarios of how job seekers and employees can benefit from technology as well as when to pursue assistive technology.
Format: From 9:30–10:30am, presenters will share content related to the webinar topic. From 10:30–11:00am, facilitators will host a question-and-answer session, allowing participants to ask content-related or technical questions to the facilitators and other participants.
Accommodations: Please submit accommodation requests when you register for the webinar. We must receive your accommodation request at least two weeks before the webinar date.
Letters of Attendance: Participants must be present for the first hour of the webinar to get the link to their letter of attendance. Participants do not need to remain on the webinar for the question-and-answer portion to get a letter of attendance.