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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.
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Vocational Rehabilitation
Title IV of WIA contains the 1998 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
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Context for Effective System Navigator Implementation
Customer Needs
Culture
Policy
Practice
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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”.
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VR services to enable individuals with disabilities to pursue meaningful careers by securing employment commensurate with their abilities and capabilities.
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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”.
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Eligibility and Planning Focus on the strengths, resources,
priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities interests and informed choices of the individual.
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Informed Choice
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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.
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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.
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Eligibility
VR services provided to eligible persons with
disabilities to prepare for, secure, maintain or regain
employment.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Individual Plan for Employment
Developed with qualified VR counselor or option for customer or
representative to develop and present to VR.
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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.
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Order of Selection
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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.
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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.
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Services
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Due Process Requirements Provide information on rights and
responsibilities Provision for internal hearings CAP Voluntary Mediation Appeals outside of specific VR
agency
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of
thinking we used when we
created themAlbert Einstein
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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