Dear Editor:

My daughter, who is 23 years old, is struggling to be hired full-time. She graduated from college with a two-year degree and still only gets part-time hours. She talks often of feeling lonely and being shy around others. She is smart and maintained a 3.2 GPA in college. So why is she only getting 20-25 hours a week?

LD 46 (LD 46: An Act to Establish a Grant Program to Increase Postsecondary Educational Opportunities for Students with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities or autism spectrum disorder) will help kids with disabilities with their education and finding jobs. This grant program will go directly to Maine schools. It will offer the support necessary to connect to social clubs, groups, activities, and events. Participating in campus life is essential to thriving as a young adult. It will also help with bridging challenges in education for this specific population who are at high risk of not completing their programs due to their disabilities.

Inclusive higher education will go the extra mile to link kids while going to school to the much-needed social skills that they will need in future employment. Peer mentoring is another resource that would be offered. They can learn from people their own age how to manage conflict with peers.

Awards will be granted to higher learning institutions to support students with developmental disabilities and lead to more vocational opportunities. All caregivers should ask about these resources and when they will be available. Contact your legislator to support this funding. 

Katrina Wozich

Wiscasset