Code of Maine Rules
12 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
597 - BUREAU OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Chapter 2 - RULE GOVERNING THE COMPETITIVE SKILLS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Section 597-2-1 - DEFINITIONS
Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024
1. Bureau is the Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment Services.
2. Department is the Maine Department of Labor.
3. Commuting area means the 50-mile radius, by road, from the participant's place of residence.
4. Dependent child means a child under 19 or under 24 if full time student residing with the applicant more than half the year or is a person with a disability of any age and did not provide more than 50% of their own support.
5. High compensation means median wages that are at or above the median wage for all occupations in Maine.
6. Occupation in significant demand means an occupation with a projected growth rate that is equal to or greater than the average growth rate for all occupations in Maine.
7. Household or family means the applicant or participant and all persons residing in his or her residence that are related by blood, marriage, domestic partner registration or decree of court, and are his or her spouse, registered domestic partner, guardian, parent or a dependent child. However, the following individuals are considered a separate household of one:
8. Individual Service Strategy (ISS) means, for the purpose of this rule, the individual career plan that is developed by the participant and the case manager. The ISS includes all funding sources planned to meet the participant's needs, including CSSP resources and resources other than CSSP. This rule applies to any ISS that includes CSSP funding.
9. Marketable postsecondary degree means an industry recognized credential, vocational certificate or license, associate degree, bachelor's degree or a graduate level certification/advanced degree.
A degree is considered unmarketable when (a) the applicant can show that the credential prepared them for a specific occupation that they are no longer able to perform due to physical or mental health limitations or (b) the applicant can show that the credential was received over 20 years ago and was intended to prepare the individual for a specific occupation which they have not worked in for the last 15 years or (c) The degree, credential or license was obtained in another country or jurisdiction and is not recognized by the appropriate professional licensing body as a marketable degree in Maine.
CSSP funds may be used to assist individuals licensed in other states or foreign countries obtain licenses/credentials recognized in Maine.
10. Written or writing means writing on paper or in electronic format such as email. Email may only be used by the Department to deliver notices affecting an applicant or participant's rights or responsibilities (for example, an eligibility decision or an ISS) if the notice is also delivered in hand or by mail.
11. Applicant means an individual who has applied for CSSP where eligibility may or may not have been determined.
12. An applicant becomes enrolled as a participant once the ISS is approved and signed by the CSSP applicant and by the Career Center manager.
13. Participant means an eligible individual enrolled in the program.
14. Bridge Program Participant means a high school Junior or Senior enrolled in the Early College and Career and Technical Education Program (ECCTEP).
15. Labor Market Area means a geographic area in Maine where the CSSP applicant or participant can reside and find employment within commuting distance or through relocation.