Developmental Disabilities

Maine Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Behavioral and Developmental Services, mission is to "join with individuals, families and communities to encourage and assist people with developmental disabilities, mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders to achieve good health and meaningful living, through resources that build on the strengths and accomplishments of the past; are local and regional; encourage widespread participation in policy decisions and planning; have no barriers in serving all disabilities; and are measured in terms of efficiency, outcomes and impact on quality of life."

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

The Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services works to bring about full access to employment, independence and community integration for people with disabilities. Working with its partners in the Maine Department of Labor's Career Center and the rehabilitation community, the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services works with persons with disabilities through its three primary service provision units: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired; and the Division of Deafness.

Sheltered Employment

The goal of sheltered workshops is to support and assist consumers with disabilities to live and work in their communities. The Department of Health and Human Services, Behavioral and Developmental Services, has strong partnerships with many community-based rehabilitation providers including such local agencies as Diversified Employment, Inc., Goodwill Industries, and Independence Association. A Work Placement Specialist develops and implements plans with consumers, staff, and community agencies to facilitate placements in less restrictive community work or day programs. Regular meetings occur with the DOL Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to address policy and practice and to provide a seamless system of support for mutual clients.

Competitive Employment

The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, serves individuals with disabilities needing assistance in vocational planning and job development. Supported Employment services emphasize coordination of services from various sources. Supported Employment is competitive employment in an integrated setting, or employment in integrated work settings in which an individual is working toward competitive employment, consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, interests, and informed choice The services are designed to increase or enhance the individual's skills and independence.

Health and Safety

SafetyWorks! is an outreach program of the Maine Department of Labor designed to reduce job-related injuries, illnesses and deaths. SafetyWorks! Is a voluntary program-it is not OSHA and cannot issue citations or fines. SafetyWorks! Services are available by request and free of charge. SafetyWorks! provides free services and materials to public and private employers, workers, educators, and the general public. While SafetyWorks! Can help businesses regardless of size, priority is given to small businesses.

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Maine Area Offices provide safety and health protections to most private sector workers and state and local government employees within the state. OSHA investigates complaints about workplace safety and health hazards.

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Maine Area Offices provide safety and health protections to most private sector workers and state and local government employees within the state. OSHA investigates complaints about workplace safety and health hazards.

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Adult Protective Services, Maine Health and Human Services, provides or arranges for services to protect incapacitated and dependent adults (age 18 and over) in danger of abuse, neglect or exploitation. To make a report or for more information, call:

Protection and Advocacy

The Disability Rights Center (DRC) is Maine's protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities. It is a non-profit agency, independent of state and federal government. DRC's mission "is to advance and enforce the rights of individuals with disabilities. In working with and on behalf of people with disabilities, we are committed to the principles that people with disabilities can make choices and that they are entitled to enjoy life's benefits as full and equal members of Maine's communities." Some of the services DRC provides are: information about rights and service systems; referrals to appropriate services; representation of individuals at meetings and hearings; legal representation of individuals or groups; training on rights and advocacy skills; and working towards broad systems change.