11/8/2006

Benefits and Work Incentives Planning: System Development

NCHSD Fall Conference

November 8, 2006

Damon Terzaghi: Oregon Competitive Employment Project

Molly Sullivan: Oregon Advocacy Center

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

11/8/2006

Mission Statement

The mission of the Oregon Competitive Employment Project, Oregon’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, is to enhance the quality of life in Oregon by achieving, maintaining and advancing the competitive and inclusive employment of persons with disabilities.

The project is funded through a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CFDA #11-P-92415/-01).

11/8/2006

Current State of Benefits and Work Incentives Planning in Oregon

The state BPAO/WIPA program has 3 benefits planners, all housed within Oregon’s largest city

Few private planners and direct service providers provide limited services Two centers for independent living are providing planning and

referrals One county mental health agency provides services One Goodwill office has a certified planner

Two initiatives that supported BP recently ended due to funding

11/8/2006

Challenges Developing a system:

Obtaining adequate and sustainable funding Fragmented systems

Services limited to specific populations Need for connection and collaboration with provider agencies Need for consistent availability throughout the state

Need for increased numbers of trained and qualified BP staff Maintaining established systems:

Utilization of highly trained BP staff for administrative duties Providing on an ongoing basis:

Outreach Intake and referral Training & TA

11/8/2006

Benefits Planning Design Process

11/8/2006

Elements Used to Assess Oregon’s BP System

Population being provided with benefits planning How consumers are informed of information about benefits Parties responsible for providing basic information, screening

and referral How provision of basic information and referrals are being

coordinated How benefits planning professionals and others responsible for

providing benefits planning services are trained How training and technical assistance activities are subsidized Existing indicators and methods to ensure planners are qualified Available benefits planning tools

11/8/2006

Assessing Oregon’s BP System: Provider Survey

Survey developed in conjunction with BPAO/WIPA Survey administered via e-mails and phone calls to 120

Oregon provider agencies serving people with DD, SPMI, and physical disabilities 45% return rate Providers indicated a strong desire to be active participants in BP

system, but needed proper training to provide accurate information 4 of the responding agencies reported providing some level of BP

services, but only 1 had received SSA certification Survey results will guide involvement of community

providers in proposed system

11/8/2006

System Design Process

BPAO and Project jointly created 5 different models for delivering service

BPAO assessed pros and cons of each model based on experience delivering services

Project assessed pros and cons of each model based on national best practices & qualitative research

Project and BPAO jointly recommended desired model for Oregon to the workgroup

11/8/2006

System Design Process

Presented desired model to Project leadership council & DHS leadership

Acquired funding for initial system development Plan to sustain WIPA collaboration through

system design that includes: Sharing in-state trainings with WIPA Sharing referrals for BP Collaborating on data collection and outcome

monitoring

11/8/2006

Collaboration with WIPA WIPA changes are still pending Detailed collaboration will be based on WIPA

requirements Project and WIPA working together to design

data collection, benefits analysis format, and reporting system as required by WIPA regulations

Project and WIPA will collaborate with CESSI on outreach

11/8/2006

System Implementation

Project, State Independent Living Council, OVRS have earmarked funding that will more than double Oregon’s current BP capacity

Project, WIPA, SILC and OVRS will jointly monitor outcomes, data collection and needed system refinements Information and data will be reported to CMS, Project

Leadership Council, and SSA Information will be available to interested parties

Project, WIPA and partners will collaborate on strategy to expand and sustain BP services in OR

11/8/2006

Primary Components of the System

An Interactive Web-based Information, Referral and Planning tool

A Training and Technical Assistance (T/A) Center Regional Benefits Planning Programs The WIPA Program Private Benefits Planners Service Providers and Community Programs An Integrated Outcomes Research Program

11/8/2006

Proposed Service Areas