1 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce LINKING STATE EMPLOYMENT 1 ST INITIATIVES TO UPCOMING WIOA IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS

2 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce EFSLMP: Helping States Ask the Tough Questions in their Systems Reform Efforts How do we align policy, practice, and funding? How do we build and sustain capacity of our front-line staff? What expectations should we place on providers? How do we measure our progress?

3 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program (EFSLMP) Promoting the promise and expansion of integrated employment by: Matching “core” states with peer-to-peer state mentors for policy and funding alignment Providing intensive technical assistance to the core states from national Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for Employment First strategic plan development and implementation Accelerating rapid-response policy outcomes in time-limited virtual working group model (Vision Quest Series) Facilitating an ongoing Community of Practice for participating states

4 Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program: Unique Features ODEP requires a minimum of six state agencies receiving Federal funds to be involved in EFSLMP state teams –Education, I/DD Services, Medicaid, Mental Health, VR, and Workforce Investment Innovation in Virtual & Onsite Technical Assistance Cross disability in focus

5 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program: Structure & Modes of TA/Training Provided (FY2014) Tier One: Core State TA Intensive TA/Training from National SME Pool Peer-to-Peer Mentoring from State Ambassadors Network Vision Quest Working Groups State Assessments of Policy & Practice Tier Two: Community of Practice Monthly Webinars & Informational Bulletins ePolicyWorks Virtual Workspace Quarterly Federal Policy Updates

6 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce EFSLMP Core States: FY2015 Alabama, Arkansas, DC, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah

7 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce EFSLMP Core State TA/Training – Key Areas of Foci Cross- Systems Policy & Funding Alignment Provider Transformation Capacity Building School-to- Work Transition Employer Engagement

8 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce EFSLMP VISION QUEST SERIES A Synopsis of EFSLMP Vision Quest’s Working Group on WIOA Implementation

9 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce EFSLMP Vision Quest States: FY2015 Vision Quest States (15 Core States + Missouri) VQ Working Group on WIOA Implementation includes 7 states: DC, Hawaii, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee

10 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce EFSLMP Vision Quest: Process Time-limited, intensive virtual and onsite policy consulting working groups on one topic related to E1st –10 hours per month with primary facilitator –At least two 1:1 virtual consults with primary facilitator per month –Quarterly working group calls with 3-5 other states –Two site visits per year Three Phases –Policy Analysis (Assessment) –Policy Development (1-2 Policy Recommendations/ Products) –Policy Implementation (Implementation Plan)

11 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Vision Quest Policy Working Group on WIOA Implementation  PURPOSE Leveraging workforce development system to increase access to integrated employment services, and improve school-to-work transition outcomes for youth and young adults with significant disabilities.

12 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce VQ WIOA Working Group Subject Matter Experts David Hoff ICI, University of Mass-Boston Grant Revell VCU Abby Cooper Marc Gold Associates Michael Morris, Executive Director 12

13 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Vision Quest on WIOA Implementation: Proposed Themes/Subtopics Formal agreement/linkages between disability and workforce development systems for both adults and youth Enhanced enforcement of Section 188 (WIOA non- discrimination requirements) Development of unified state plans Aligning policies of disability systems (VR, ID/DD, MH) with WIOA –Development of VR cooperative agreement with ID/DD agency, Medicaid agency, others Transition Components –Development of systematic approach to new VR transition requirements, including MOUs/cooperative agreements with state Department of Education –Implementation/enforcement of Section 511 (sub-minimum wage requirements) Employer Engagement Performance measurement: new common measures, disability as part of workforce development measures

14 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY VQ WIOA WG DIALOGUE Insights/Approaches of Seven States to Collaboration on Transition in the Context of WIOA

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16 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Employment First in NC: Key areas of Foci With support from ODEP’s EFSLMP, NC focusing on: –Employer Engagement –Promoting Partnerships with Workforce Development in Implementing Employment First Already existing projects in NC: –Project Search –IPS-SE EBP for AMH/SU 16

17 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Employment First in NC: Transition in the Context of WIOA Through NC DVR, high school students can access the School to Life program Program Focus: –By improving and increasing employer engagement, and supporting all divisions and agencies in working from a shared vision of Employment First, we can increase the number of competitive, community based jobs for all individuals with disabilities across NC 17

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19 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Pennsylvania’s System on Transition Strong Transition Community of Practice –National, State, Local Existing Transition “Memorandum of Understanding” Local “Letters of Understanding” Local Transition Coordinating Councils –40 Statewide 19

20 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Pennsylvania’s Promising Practices on Transition Statewide Replication of Project SEARCH- (VR, Education, ID, Business) Statewide Replication of Project Promoting Academic Success – (VR, Secondary Education and Higher Education) DREAM Partnership- ACES Grant- College ID Programs Include Me – The Arc of Pennsylvania and Education Discovery/Customized Employment VR, ID and The Arc of PA RENEW- Bureau of Special Education Jobs for All- VR’s Youth OJT Initiative 20

21 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Pennsylvania’s Promising Practices on Transition (continued) Early Reach- VR’s Outreach Initiative (Age 14) Works for Me- VR & CTE Greene County ID Transition Project- VR, ID & Education Marriot Bridges Program- Philadelphia (VR, Education, Business) Start on Success- Pittsburgh City Schools LifeLink- State College School District and Penn State University PA Training & Technical Assistance Network- CoPwww.secondarytransition.org- 21

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23 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce D.C. Transition Initiatives (1) RSA (VR) and DCPS/OSSE collaborate on multiple Project SEARCH sites in federal government Resulted in jobs in host site or elsewhere for many of the youth who participated. RSA and public/charter/non-public schools have been meeting for 5+ years with other partners in the Secondary Transition Community of Practice (CoP). Have piloted Student Led IEPs for transition-age youth Committed to developing strategies so that all youth in special education have at least one paid work experience prior to exiting school. Annual jointly funding 2-day Transition Fair at which youth, teachers and families learn about transition process, community and public resources to support transition, how to prepare, what to expect 23

24 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce D.C. Transition Initiatives (2)  RSA funded development of a Transition Toolkit, designed by the CoP, English and Spanish versions available in print and online in both languages.  RSA working with workforce system, DC’s Department of Employment Services, to ensure youth with disabilities have full access to their Summer Youth Employment Program with supports from RSA as needed.  RSA and DCPS have data sharing agreement so that the VR staff can access special education database for individual student, providing direct access to IEP and assessment information.  Initiative in process to fund a Transition Coordinator to work in 31 public charter LEAS to promote transition.  RSA working with state education agency, OSSE, to use eCASAS to assess workplace literacy, using a common tool across system. 24

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26 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce “UNLOCK YOUR FULL POTENTIAL“ DISABILITY YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (July 22-26, 2015) Objective: Utilizing youth leaders who are themselves deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind, under adult supervision, conduct a camping experience for students over a period of 4 days to: 1.Promote the development of self confidence and knowledge to acquire life skills. 2.Guide youth to develop skills in team development. 3.Provide activities to enhance critical thinking and analysis of ideas and experiences. 4.Develop skills in conflict resolution Express, Address & Resolve. 5.Create an environment to express open, authentic communication in a wide range of manual/oral or tactile language systems. Funded by Hawaii Division of Vocation Rehabilitation, Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS). 26

27 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Tennessee’s Partnerships 27

28 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Tennessee Works Purpose: To Change the Employment Landscape Statewide Raise the aspirations and capacities of young people by increasing collaboration across state systems to pursue integrated, competitive work as a realistic and first choice for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 28

29 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce TN’s Partnership & WIOA  Sustainable collaborative engages youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in an innovative, tiered training and dissemination model that strengthens the capacity and commitment of families, educators, and providers.  Provides a strong foundation for WIOA to build upon establishing best practices and partnerships that promote competitive integrated employment. 29

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31 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Michigan Collaborates  Strengthening Interagency Collaboration and Systems Alignment Institute  Department of Natural Resources Summer Project  Project Search  Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Michigan Transition Services Association Work-Based Learning Collaborative Project  94 Interagency Cash Transfer Agreements 31

32 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce 32 Transition Youth & Ohio Employment First

33 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce BARRIERS to Successful Transition to Community Employment DISPOSITION or BELIEF in Community Employment AGENCY BARRIERS from Multiple Agency policies and procedures PREPARATION Youth lack employability skills when exiting school programs PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEEDS: To support the youth development of employability skills ONGOING SUPPORT Lack of ongoing job supports EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: Lack of meaningful/authentic community work experiences ACCESS to COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION Complete information is not readily available and easily accessible Perceived “RISK” of EMPLOYMENT Fear of loosing benefits or safety concerns 33 Initial Set of Barriers that Advisory and others Stakeholders identified.

34 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Current Youth Barriers What We Continue to Be Told “Would like to address transition issues, but not enough time in the school day” Educators “Transition is not a priority for schools… academic achievement is the priority. Youth do not have experience or skills” Everyone “Cannot provide that service because it is ‘supplanting’/duplicatin g what schools should do” Primarily OOD (VR) “OOD (VR) can only provide services in the summer” Reported by Educators and CBDD “Schools can only provide services during the school hours” Reported by Educators “What service does a VR counselor provide for an age 14 youth?” Primarily OOD. Educators “We see value in planning. We see value in planning together. But we do not have time. Not a priority.” Everyone. “No jobs and too much competition” OOD and DODD “Families do not want youth to work” Everyone 34

35 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Ohio Employment First Transition Framework Planning Tools 35

36 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Ohio Transition Assessment Team Planning Guide 36

37 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Ohio Backwards Planning Template 37

38 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce EFSLMP Community of Practice: Participating States 35 States Participating Currently –Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin Membership is Currently Open to all 50 States

39 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Access to Info Enrollment & Eligibility Employment Related Supports System Capacity Building Cross- Systems Coordination CoP Focus: Helping States Deploy Essential Tactical Elements in Promoting Employment First

40 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce ePolicyWorks: A Virtual Platform for Facilitating Policy Development

41 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce EFSLMP Achievements/Results Thus Far State Participation –FY2015: Expanded delivery of TA to 15 core states –850+ individuals from 35 state teams participating in National Community of Practice (40 archived training webinars to date) TA/Training: Over 7,500 hours of TA/training provided over past 30 months –45 provider organizations receiving mentoring/coaching –Over 300 front-line direct service professionals trained Policy Results: –50+ policy products developed –14 major policy changes implemented/adopted Individual Employment Results –Over 500 individuals with significant disabilities into CIE

42 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Will practice be able to keep up with policy? Will policy be able to keep up with practice? Losing Key Political Champions Holistic Wrap-around Services Making the Financials Work Potential for Watering Down Integration (ie. social enterprise, employer of record issues) Misunderstanding Employers Complexities in Systems Coordination Stakeholder Engagement Asset/Income Limits tied to Federal Benefits Building & sustaining capacity among direct support professionals in effective practices ONGOING DILEMMAS FOR STATES & ODEP

43 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Ways to Get Involved in E1st Systems Change: –Access information about your state’s E1st efforts –Encourage your state to apply for core state status in next year’s EFSLMP –Help ETA and ODEP figure out how to leverage State E1st Efforts to Support Infusion of Disability in WIOA implementation –Consider registering to access free TA/Training via the EFSLMP Community of Practice. To subscribe visit To subscribe visit How can YOU Get Involved in Employment First?

44 A Catalyst for Change, Transforming the American Workforce Serena Lowe Senior Policy Advisor Office of Disability Employment Policy U.S. Department of Labor Contact