About Maine Working Together

In partnership with the Maine Departments of Labor, Education, and Health & Human Services, the ICI at UMass Boston coordinates the implementation of Maine Working Together, Maine's Employment Services Workforce Development System.

Maine Working Together provides training, certifications, resources, and assistance to employment services providers, teachers, case managers, and other professionals to support efforts to develop a strong employment workforce in the state of Maine.

About The ICI

The ICI at UMass Boston supports the rights of children and adults with disabilities to participate in all aspects of society. As practitioners, researchers, and teachers, we form partnerships with individuals, families, and service agencies. Together we advocate for personal choice and self-determination.

The ICI’s work encompasses research, program evaluation, training, consultation, education, policy analysis, and service delivery across four main areas of emphasis: Employment, Education, Community Life, and Health Care.

Staff

Brit Miles - CESP

Brit has worked for over 15 years as a direct support professional placing and coaching individuals who once worked in segregated, sub-minimum wage environments into real community jobs, applying Employment First beliefs, customized employment strategies, and person-centered principles. Brit facilitates training in best practices of competitive, integrated, employment for employment service providers, state agencies, and other stakeholders. Brit manages the project's Facebook page, supports the Maine Working Together website, and provides curricula and training.

Kelly Wanzer - MS, CCC/SLP

Kelly is a Speech Language Pathologist with over 10 years of experience providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a variety of settings. At the ICI, Kelly develops curricula, facilitates training, and provides technical assistance on various employment related initiatives geared toward enhancing inclusive practices for individuals with disabilities. For the Maine Working Together Project, Kelly develops curricula and provides training.

Beth Wike - BS, MS

Beth has 20 years of experience working in the field of disability services. With a background in recreation therapy, Beth held various roles including direct service, program leadership, and adjunct instructor. At the ICI, Beth's professional focus is on capacity building. Beth develops and provides training and technical assistance on competitive integrated employment and community life engagement to disability service providers. Prior to joining the ICI, Beth was Director of Disability Services and coordinated the Island Disability Coalition, a community coalition that identified and addressed the needs of people with disabilities and their families through a coalitional approach that fosters shared responsibility and creative problem solving.