Grant to allow AmeriCorps members to work with Maine high schools

    The Maine Transition Network has been awarded a grant entitled “Youth with Disabilities Entering Employment.” The grant began Sept. 1, and will be recruiting a minimum of 14 AmeriCorps crew team members to work in at least 14 high schools across the state of Maine beginning in January 2010.     The goal of the AmeriCorps members is to ultimately increase the schools’ compliance with indicators 13 and 14 with special education regulations and then increase the student’s knowledge and ability to lead their IEP for better utilization of the students’ plan once they exit high school.
    AmeriCorps members will be working with a minimum of 15 students per school site in a job club format, as well as after school community service activities in a Youth Leader, Inc. program model. Each student will be encouraged to make a personal portfolio or I movie to present at their IEP meeting which will address the student’s preference in post school goals which include work, education and, when appropriate, independent living objectives. AmeriCorps members will also be recruiting business and community volunteers to help students with their service learning projects.
    School systems are encouraged to team up with the State of Maine Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation which may include the Division for Blind and Visual Impairments, local job placement agencies, adult education programs and other community-based programs that share the same vision and goals of helping young people maximize their resources and community network to accomplish their post school goals. There is a small financial obligation and in-kind contribution for school systems to meet in order to participate.
    For more information on this exciting opportunity for high schools across Maine, go to www.mainetransition.org. On Sept. 29, the RFP bidder’s information conference will be held through ITV (sites will be posted on the MTN Web site) from 2:30-3:45 p.m. You may also attend in person at the University of Maine at Augusta. Questions can be asked anytime and the answers for all to read will be posted on the MTN Web site. Question and answer period will close Oct. 10.
    For more information, e-mail Mary Redmond-Luce at mluce@mainetransition.org.