EMDC to administer HOPE and PaS programs

The Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence has launched a student navigation services partnership with Eastern Maine Development Corporation.

EMDC was awarded a $1.5 million contract to become the administrative partner for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment and Parents as Scholars programs for the Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence. 

“The HOPE team is looking forward to the partnership with EMDC because of their extensive experience providing meaningful support to Mainers engaged in training and education, building skills and filling Maine’s workforce needs, along with EMDC’s demonstrated success in workforce development, business engagement, and community-based services,” DHHS-OFI HOPE Program Manager Sheri Wilkens said.

The HOPE program was established in 2018 under Maine’s bipartisan LIFT 2.0 legislation but launched in January 2020. By design, it helps eligible low-income parents and caretaker relatives cover post-secondary education and training costs and currently has over 600 participants.

Program participants receive one-on-one guidance, connections to financial, academic and community resources, and ongoing support to address barriers that might otherwise prevent them from reaching their educational and career goals.  By investing in student success, and erasing barriers, the programs strengthen Maine’s workforce while helping families achieve greater economic stability.

Susan Cerini, director of Student Navigation and Success, said, “These programs reinforce the importance of connectivity by believing that one connection or one resource at the right moment can change the trajectory of a student’s path to success.  By helping student parents overcome barriers while earning credentials and celebrating every milestone,  we build careers, personal pride and family strength.” 

For EMDC, Cerini and a team of Student Navigators will administer the statewide Student Navigation component of the HOPE and PaS programs in partnership with the HOPE team at DHHS. 

“EMDC, as the WIOA administrator for 2/3 of Maine, in partnership with Maine Department of Labor, has access to a seamless network of workforce programs and educational and social services to empower student parents to persist, graduate, and transition into careers that meet the needs of Maine’s employers and communities,” Cerini said. 

The Student Navigators are embedded statewide at Maine’s community colleges and universities, working closely with campus personnel and community partners to provide coordinated, participant-centered support.  

Lee Umphrey, president & CEO, EMDC emphasized, “These programs already excel at guiding Maine families by covering costs while they pursue education and training opportunities. With EMDC’s collaborative approach and ability to leverage statewide and community-based resources from multiple sources, we will accelerate the success and impact of these programs.”