1

Disability Program Navigator Training

A Joint Initiative of theU.S. Department of Labor

and theSocial Security Administration

Collaboration with Vocational RehabilitationBeyond Co-location: Working Together to Meet Employment ObjectivesJoe Skiba.

2

Vocational Rehabilitation

Title IV of WIA contains the 1998 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

3

Context for Effective System Navigator Implementation

Customer Needs

Culture

Policy

Practice

4

Principles Driving the VR Program

Independence Self Determination Informed Choice Meaningful Careers Individual Empowerment Maximize Employment/ Self sufficiency Inclusion/Integration Support for Individual and Systemic Advocacy

5

Principles Driving WIA Universal Access. State and Local Flexibility. State and Local Accountability. Choice. Streamlining Services. Strong Role for Workforce Investment

Boards. Improved Youth Services.

6

According to ADAThe nation’s goals regarding individuals with disabilities are to assure: equality of opportunity full participation (empowerment) independent living economic self- sufficiency

Bobby Silverstien Disability Policy Framework

7

Principles Driving WIA Universal Access. State and Local Flexibility. State and Local Accountability. Choice. Streamlining Services. Strong Role for Workforce Investment

Boards. Improved Youth Services.

8

Purpose of the Programs Funded under the Rehab Act…

To empower individuals with disabilities to “maximize

employment, economic self sufficiency, independence, and inclusion and integration into

society”.

9

VR services to enable individuals with disabilities to pursue meaningful careers by securing employment commensurate with their abilities and capabilities.

10

State VR - Mandated Partner of the One-Stops

Co-location Collaboration Linked planning Use of Memoranda of Understanding Cost allocation to share expenses

based on “usage standards”.

11

Eligibility and Planning Focus on the strengths, resources,

priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities interests and informed choices of the individual.

12

Informed Choice

13

Full and Active Partners in the VR processInvolvement and informed choice of the individual in decisions directly affecting them.

Assessments to be conducted. Selection of vocational goals &

objectives. Services and supports provided.

The right to refuse or terminate. Selection of service providers. Measures of progress used.

14

Informed Choice, Achieved Only When: Individuals have Access to All Pertinent

Information. Have Clarity Around Decision Making Process in

Culturally Relevant Context. Individuals have Opportunity to Understand

Information and have REAL OPTIONS. Are Actively Involved in Making Decisions and

Following Through. Are Responsible for Evaluating Results and

Integrating into Future Choices.

15

Eligibility

VR services provided to eligible persons with

disabilities to prepare for, secure, maintain or regain

employment.

16

Eligibility Person must have a physical or

mental impairment. Impairment results in a substantial

impediment to employment Person requires VR services to

prepare for, secure retain or regain employment.

17

Eligibility Person presumed to be able to

benefit from VR in pursuing employment unless clear and convincing evidence the individual is incapable of benefiting related to vocational outcomes.

Those receiving SSI or SSDI are presumed eligible.

18

Ineligibility Determination made only after involvement

of customer or their representative. Informed in writing including reasons and

means to express disagreement and seek remedy.

Advised of CAP services. When decision based on individual is

incapable of benefiting from VR to achieve employment outcome—decision to be reviewed within 12 mos.

19

Employment

Competitive Full time or part-time if that is the

maximum for the individual Self employment Supported Employment

Competitive work, in an integrated setting

20

Individual Plan for Employment

Developed with qualified VR counselor or option for customer or

representative to develop and present to VR.

21

Individual Plan for Employment Employment goal. Specific VR services needed. Specific service provider selected by

customer. Outline criteria to evaluate progress toward

achieving vocational goal. Responsibilities of customer and VR agency. Plan to be reviewed annually. Rights and remedies provided to customer.

22

Order of Selection

23

Order of Selection When a State VR Agency is unable to serve

all eligible individuals, an OSS must be implemented.

Requires an order of priority based on serving those with the most significant disabilities first.

VR must provide Info and Referral services. Implications for One-Stops related to

referral of those outside the priority categories.

24

Comparable Services and Benefits VR must pursue other available

resources when developing a plan for services with customers.

Not required if the search would delay progress of the individual toward achieving employment outcome.

25

Services

26

Services Vocational and other training, personal

adjustment; books, supplies. Counseling and Guidance. Corrective surgery or treatment to

correct /modify substantial employment impediment.

Prosthetic and orthotic devices. Assistive technology/accommodations. Support services, maintenance-

transportation costs related to VR services.

27

Services Assessment for determining eligibility and

rehab needs. Interpreter services, reader services. Diagnosis and treatment for those with mental

or emotional disorders. Tools and licenses. Assistance to conduct market analysis,

business planning toward self employment. Placement and follow along services. Post employment services to retain

employment.

28

Customer ChoiceChallenges in Implementation(WIA)

WIB Determines Training Areas Based on Occupational Demand.

WIB Decides If and How Much $ Directed to Training.

Labor Market vs. Individual driven System. Individual can Get Training only When no

Job Results from Core or Intensive Services.

29

Customer ChoiceChallenges in Implementation(V.R.)

Individual-Consumer Driven. Assessments to Determine Eligibilty. IPE. Vocational Goal. Services. Service Providers. Methods to Obtain Services. Partner in Monitoring/ Evaluating own Plan.

30

Due Process Requirements Provide information on rights and

responsibilities Provision for internal hearings CAP Voluntary Mediation Appeals outside of specific VR

agency

31

Other provisions Defines qualified rehab professionals.

Establish System of Personnel Development Encourages coop agreements with other

One-stop agencies. Emphasis on transition services for

school aged youth. Innovation and expansion capability. Independent living programs funded

through the VR amendments; State Independent Living Councils.

32

Performance Indicators Employment outcomes

# achieving employment % with significant disabilities earning

minimum wage Equal access to services Consumer satisfaction Retention of employment

6 and 12 months Use of resources

33

Challenges and Opportunities Create other options rather than

automatic referral of persons with disabilities to VR.

Blending of resources rather than each agency or partner viewing resources as “last dollar”.

VR and Workforce agencies support PWD as recipients for WIA funded training and other support services.

34

Challenges and Opportunities Local workforce board targets PWD for

training and other intensive services. WIA agencies begin to recognize part

time or self employment as successful outcome.

Multiple partners work together to implement employment objectives for PWD recognizing short and long term career goals of individuals.

35

Challenges and Opportunities Sharing relevant information across

One-stop partners within confidentiality and release of information requirements.

Put in place service architecture for coordinating and planning and support of PWD as part of a seamless system.

Work toward better alignment of multiple agencies with varied cultures and traditions.

36

We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of

thinking we used when we

created themAlbert Einstein

37

Reference Web Sites www.ed.gov/policy/speced/leg/rehabact.doc www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/program

s.html www.onestops.info www.disabilityinfo.gov www.onestoptoolkit.org www.promising-practices.org www.virtualcil.net/cils/ www.ncil.org www.nga.org www.nationalrehab.org