In 2002 through 2004, a Mentoring & Workplace Culture Change Project funded by the U. S. Department of Labor was initiated with several central Maine health care providers. As part of a comprehensive strategy to improve opportunities for dislocated and incumbent workers in the health care sector, its focus was to improve the job quality of direct care workers.

CEI continues its workforce development efforts focused on Direct Care Workers through its participation in Paraprofessional Health Institute's "Northern New England Leadership, Education, Advocacy for Direct-Care & Support Staff" (LEADS) Project providing training and support to front-line caregivers in the health care industry.