The Maine Department of Labor has been awarded up to $6.2 million to help those affected by substance-use disorders enter or reenter the workforce.
The two-year grant is expected to help nearly 700 people in the nine Maine counties most heavily affected by substance-use disorder.
“We will be helping individuals who are impacted by substance use disorder learn the skills that they need to get good paying jobs.”
Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman says training will also be developed for people to work as treatment professionals.
Fortman says the first phase of the program will be to hire around 20 peer support workers who will be first points-of-contact for people to see if they are eligible.
“To explain the services that are available and make sure that people receive the appropriate assessments so that they can make good decisions to see what careers they may be interested in pursuing.”
Additional information will be made available on the state labor department website.
