Certification and Training

Job Duties and Role

Provides employment support to people with disabilities who have jobs or own a business, including teaching skills to perform duties and building natural supports on the job.

Who's the Service for?

• People with disabilities who need support to maintain their employment and are connected to a state-funded program
• People with disabilities who need support to maintain their employment as part of an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)*

What state Agency use the service

• Bureau of Rehabilitation Services Maine
• Office of Aging and Disability Services-Employment
• Office of Behavioral Health-Employment
• Schools and summer employment programs for transition age youth Department of Education-Special Services

What Training is required for the positions? (Pick one)

College of Direct Support - Direct Support Professional and additional Work Support modules - College of Direct Support (CDS) is a suite of online courses that train support professionals to assist people with disabilities to lead meaningful, inclusive lives. The ME College of Direct Support offers registration on their website.

College of Employment Services Online Job Coaching Modules & Fading Supports In-Person Training - College of Employment Services (CES) is a suite of online courses that train employment professionals in best practices for supporting people with disabilities to build fulfilling careers. There are two parts to this training. You are required to complete the assigned job coach modules and also register for the in-person Fading Supports Training when it is offered. We offer registration for both the online and the in-person training on this website.

• Part 1: CES Online Job Coaching Modules
• Part 2: Fading Supports In-Person Training - Check the events page for the next offering

ACRE* Employment Specialist (ACRE Certificate) - you can take this training either online or in-person. This training teaches best practices in employment services, including career planning, job development, and job coaching strategies. You must complete fieldwork in addition to attending the trainings to get the certificate. We offer registration for both the online and the in-person training on this website.

ACRE Employment Specialist Training Offerings (Pick one)

ACRE Online Training: College of Employment Services (CES) provides this training. CES is a suite of online courses that train employment professionals in best practices for supporting people with disabilities to build fulfilling careers. There are two parts to the online training. You must complete both parts to get the certificate.

1. Part 1: complete the required CES online courses
2. Part 2: complete the required fieldwork assignments

ACRE In-Person Training: We offer this training numerous times throughout the year. It provides both the required training curriculum and fieldwork. Check the events pages for the next offering.

Job Duties and Role

Provides support to people with disabilities to find employment that is based on their skills, education, interests, and abilities. Jobs can be either full time or part time, and even self-employment.

Who's the Service for?

People with disabilities who have barriers to getting a job and qualify for the service through either OADS*, OBH* or BRS*

What state Agency use the service

• Bureau of Rehabilitation Services Maine
• Office of Aging and Disability Services-Employment
• Office of Behavioral Health-Employment
• Schools and summer employment programs for transition age youth Department of Education-Special Services

What Training is required for the positions?

ACRE approved Employment Specialist Certification - pick one:

ACRE Online Training College of Employment Services (CES) provides this training. CES is a suite of online courses that train employment professionals in best practices for supporting people with disabilities to build fulfilling careers. There are two parts to the online training. You must complete both parts to get the certificate.

1. Part 1: complete the required CES online courses
2. Part 2: complete the required fieldwork assignments

OR

ACRE In-Person Training: We offer this training numerous times throughout the year. It provides both the required training curriculum and fieldwork. Check the events pages for the next offering.

AND

6 hours per year of ongoing continuing employment-related education

Job Duties and Role

A Career Planning Specialist works with people with disabilities to explore and learn about work, while developing a written Career Plan. The Career Plan can be used by vocational rehabilitation (VR) for job development assistance.

Who's the Service for?

• People with intellectual disabilities and autism
• Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) clients who require the service may be able to access Career Planning as part of an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)*

What state Agency use the service

• Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
• Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS)
• Division of Deaf, Hard of Hearing and late Deafened

What Training is required for the positions?

Work-Support Certified or an ACRE Employment Specialist [see Employment Specialist/Job Developer above] training
AND
12 hours of Career Planning Training through OADS
AND
6 hours per year of continuing ongoing employment-related training

We offer this training multiple times a year, and we offer registration on this website. Check the events section for information about the next offering.