Project Ready to ServeMaine

2010

Project Ready to ServeMaine will result in a measurable increase in the application, enrollment, and retention of Maine service members/volunteers with disabilities. Many Maine citizens with disabilities would appreciate the opportunity to participate in a National Service program, but cite limited awareness of available programs and understanding of ways to access service and volunteer opportunities as barriers to participation. Project Ready to ServeMaine will improve outcomes for people with disabilities by forging strong partnerships between Alpha One, Maine?s Center for Independent Living; Speaking Up for Us (SUFU), Maine?s Self-Advocacy Network; the Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS); and the AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Vista programs in Maine. Our approach includes provision of a series of three two-hour workshops co-hosted by Alpha One and SUFU (the two consumer organizations). Each workshop will be conducted in four sites around the state, and will be available by video for those not able to attend workshop sessions. The workshops will introduce participants to National Service (?What is National Service??); feature current AmeriCorps members discussing their placements and the scope of their positions (?A Day in My Life ? What do AmeriCorps Members Do??); and provide the opportunity for assistance with the process of applying for member positions (?Getting Involved ? How to become an AmeriCorps Member?). Additional resources about national service and volunteering will be posted online, and Project staff will provide technical assistance to each group as needed. We hope not only to support Maine citizens with disabilities to participate in national service/volunteering, but also to help Maine volunteer and national service organizations to better support participants with disabilities. Project Ready to ServeMaine will also obtain feedback from workshop participants about their experiences engaging with service and volunteer organizations, and will share this information in our final project report, with recommendations based on our findings. Finally, Project Ready to ServeMaine will develop a sustainability action plan with Project partners to ensure that progress made through project activities continues beyond the end of the formal project period.

national service

Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information

Quality Assurance, Other

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public

Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote

State

N/A