DEI Community of Practice: Ticket / Workforce EN

Moderators Moderator: Miranda Kennedy Title: Director of Training for the DEI and TA Liaison, NDI Technical Assistance Team Organization: National Disability Institute Moderator: Kevin Nickerson Title: Subject Matter Expert on Ticket/Workforce EN, NDI Technical Assistance Team Organization: National Disability Institute Laura

DEI Workforce EN Community of Practice The DEI’s Workforce Employment Network (CoP) will support DEI project staff who are operating Workforce ENs through the dynamic exchange of ideas, providing access to seasoned DRCs and other DEI project staff from across the country that have achieved success operating Workforce ENs. The DEI Ticket Ambassadors will be sharing insights and best practices. Our Ticket Ambassadors will serve as speakers on upcoming CoP web- meetings, kicking off each discussion with a short presentation on an aspect of Workforce EN operations and practices that has led to meaningful and sustainable employment outcomes for ticket holders accessing their Workforce EN. Utilizing the experiences of this group, our goal is to support and increase open dialogue and exchange of ideas around issues that Workforce ENs face and strategies to improve Workforce EN services. Miranda

Who are the DEI Ticket Ambassadors? We have 10 individuals in this role across the country available to support you/their peers. Ambassadors include Disability Resource Coordinators and other related DEI project staff at the state or local level, including state-level EN Administrators. The DEI Ticket Ambassadors have been operating Workforce Employment Networks (ENs) across the country and have proven experience in assisting SSA beneficiaries in achieving successful employment outcomes as well as tackling the complex tasks of EN administration. Miranda

How can the DEI Ticket Ambassadors Help Me? DEI Ticket Ambassadors will be participating on bi- monthly CoP web-meetings in 2017 to provide topical overviews, as well as to address questions from their DEI peers/YOU! You may also contact a DEI Ticket Ambassador by accessing a listing which will be posted on the Workforce GPS site and provided on Workforce EN CoP calls. This listing identifies the topic expertise and demographics of each of our DEI Ticket Ambassadors Kevin Additionally - How do I Join the DEI Community of Practice The DEI Workforce EN CoP web-meetings will be held monthly. Watch the DEI training calendar and join us to get your questions answered and offer insights of your own. If you have questions about this CoP, please contact Kevin Nickerson, the DEI Ticket Coordinator for more information at: knickerson@ndi-inc.org, or Miranda Kennedy, Director of Training at: mkennedy@ndi-inc.org, or your TA Liaison.

Career Pathways: A New Opportunity for Workforce ENs Kevin

Workforce EN CoP Objectives DEI Grantees and DRCs will come away from the Community of Practice presentation and discussion able to: Understand the Minnesota Career Pathways model (programs and system) Analyze how CMJTS increased Ticket Holders access to Career Pathways Modify and/or Replicate CMJTS’ Lessons Learned to increase access for Ticket Holders to the Career Pathways model in your DEI sites. Create Marketing of your own Career Pathways to include engagement of Ticket Holders

DEI Ticket Ambassador Presenters Name: Leslie Wojtowicz Title: Development Manager and DEI Ticket Ambassador Organization: Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services Rounds of the DEI: Round III (control) V (Adult) and VII (Youth) Name: Tera Brooks Title: Disability Resource Coordinator and DEI Ticket Ambassador Organization: Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services Rounds of the DEI: Round V (Adult) and VII (Youth) Laura

CMJTS History Who we are and how we got involved: DEI Round III (served as a Control Site) Becoming an Employment Network (EN) Staffing Plan DEI Round V (Adult Focus) DEI Round VII (Youth Focus) Leslie Overview of CMJTS as an organization, structure, basic demographics – 91% white, aging population, low unemployment rate, 1.4 unemployed job seekers per job vacancy. Share staffing plan to start EN, then how it changed with the addition of DEI project funds – plan to train 2 more staff from ticket team to be certified work incentive counselors. Plan for recruitment until recently was to look at WIOA program enrollments for ticket holders.

CMJTS Service Area Region Demographics: Encompassing 10,012 square miles and spanning central Minnesota from the Wisconsin border to within 60 miles of the South Dakota border, the CMJTS service area is quite rural. However, the region does border the northern and western edges of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, where many residents commute to work, shop, and attend events. Leslie 10

CMJTS Demographics Total population – estimated over 500,000 people reside in the area CMJTS served 2,654 adults and youth between 7/1/15 and 6/30/16 (all programs) Up to 11.4% population in service area has a disability Currently 62% (362) of youth served in CMJTS WIOA Youth Program and Minnesota Youth Program are youth with disabilities (not all ticket holders) 16% (239) of people being served in public assistance employment and training programs have a disclosed disability (not all ticket holders) CMJTS has assigned 18 Tickets Over $60,000 generated in milestone and outcome payments Just recently started outreach efforts (informational meetings on ticket program) 2 ticket assignments enrolled in the DEI project Since April 1st we have been receiving an average of 5 calls a week inquiring about employment network services (however, not all live close to service area and CMJTS has limited staff time to get them assigned quickly) Leslie With the recent calls – not all want to get off benefits – not all are ready and we are having them access universal services first (workshops, career exploration activities, complete career assessments) prior to assigning the ticket. Ticket team all work programs – not 100% of time is dedicated to the ticket program. 9 11

Individuals with disabilities have challenges accessing the The Issue Individuals with disabilities have challenges accessing the career pathway system. Tera 12

The Strategy To provide access/opportunity for individuals with disabilities to identify and enter the Career Pathway system. Tera 13

A Breakdown of How it Works Career Exploration Caps Copes Cops assessment ONET CAREERwise MN Works Labor Market Information DEED website Research Education or Training Needed MnSCU website Identify Career Pathway MN Career Pathways website Career Pathway Assistance Navigator services Ticket services Support from DRC Tera

Career Pathways Programming in Minnesota Six Key Elements Build cross-agency partnerships Identify sector or industry and engage business Design education and training programs Identify funding needs and sources Align policies and programs Measure systems change and performance MN Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) Career Pathways leads adults along an educational and training continuum, from foundational preparation to post-secondary program completion. Leslie Expand on these elements using info from toolkit

MN Career Pathways Bridge Course: prepares participants for the college coursework (Adult Basic Education provides this) Integrated Course: provides college credit classes, ABE is co-teaching in the college to ensure student success Navigator Role: to provide intensive case management to ensure ‘life’ doesn’t get in the way to course completion Leslie

Examples of P2P Certifications Healthcare Servesafe Personal care assistant Certified nursing assistant Trained medical assistant Manufacturing MSSC safety training NIMS certification Welding MSSC safety training Blueprint reading Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A commercial driver’s license Tera These are examples of our more formalized career pathways

Leslie Have them reference the pathways sent out – share the more formal – grant funded pathway programs – manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and retail (through private foundation grant)

Traditional Career Pathway Mary’s career pathway……………. Enrolled in the career pathway program (FastTRAC) in the summer of 2014 Obtained Serv Safe certificate in December 2014 Received CNA certificate in June 2015 Obtained HHA certificate in June 2015 Received TMA certificate in July 2015 Currently working towards a degree in health care administration. Plans to receive an associate of applied arts degree in fall of 2018 No longer receiving benefits Tera

Individual Career Pathway Tracy’s career pathway……………. Is a Veteran with years of experience in scuba diving Due to his health condition it is challenging to do weight bearing work. Tracy and the DRC did career exploration to determine an individual career pathway Tracy is a student currently enrolled in classes at Aquaventure His goal is to become a diving instructor who has the ability to provide rescue dives for local law enforcement agencies Tracy’s goal is to graduate in the Fall of 2017 He is in the process of assigning his ticket Tera

CMJTS Success Story Clark’s Story In 2001 Clark was in a car accident He decided to further his education Obtained an AAS degree in computer aided drafting and design Through an H1B advanced manufacturing grant, Clark secured an OJT and assigned his ticket through the Ticket to Work program CMJTS staff used a modified customized employment strategy Obtained two SolidWorks credentials Is currently employed by his OJT site, Two Rivers Enterprises Inc. Clark has made timely progress in the Ticket to Work program and has met job retention milestones Clark plans to continue to work and be financially self-supporting Tera

Career Pathways Testimonials Adult Basic Education Instructor "I have been teaching the Pathways to Prosperity Pre-CNA class for two years through Hutchinson Adult Education.  This program increases the knowledge and confidence of students and prepares them to be successful in the Certified Nursing Assistant course.  I have also noticed the support students give to each other in both the P2P classroom and in the CNA course.  What a great skill for a CNA to possess!   It is wonderful to see students reach their goals and become employed." Employment Specialist “I have provided individuals with disabilities employment services for 20 years.  During my work in the state of Oregon, I witnessed the benefits of the Ticket to Work program.  Now that I am working with the program first hand, my participants have shared  the positive impact it has had on their lives to help them become self-sufficient”.   Tera

Career Pathways Testimonials Navigator “I have been working with Pathways to Prosperity since 2015 and have seen many successful customers complete the P2P program. Meeting with the new P2P customers the first day and getting to know them, working through their barriers and watching them bond with their ABE Instructor and their cohorts over the bridge course is rewarding and in many cases they are able to move forward to the integrated health care programs and be successful in finding a new career field in CNA/HHA or areas in other departments such as dietary, activities or laundry. P2P has changed many customers lives and even their confidence level knowing that they are now more employable and have a great future in the Health Care career field”.   Tera

Career Pathways Testimonials P2P Participant “I started the FastTRAC program in August 2014. I originally went to the Adult Basic Education room at Ridgewater College to refresh my computer skills and English grammar after my car accident. The accident left me with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). What I got was the encouragement to try this new program. This program would enable me to experience college by taking classes in the medical field. I was not sure about this, but I decided to take a medical terminology course. The FastTRAC program was able to fund a cohort of students through anatomy and physiology courses. I did very well in that first class and when offered to participate in another class I eagerly accepted. This program also helped me receive my certifications as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Home Health Aid (HHA), and Trained Medication Assistant (TMA). After getting these certificates, I worked as a home health aide. I have enjoyed my training and education so much I decided to get a degree as a Healthcare Administrative Assistant and intend to graduate in the spring of 2018. I already have an offer to work for Prairie River Homecare when I graduate”. The FastTRAC program has helped me in many ways: Given me courage Increased my confidence Provided the opportunity for me to further my education Paid for my certifications Helped me with gas vouchers to get to the college Assisted with the cost of clothing for my job Helped me with car repairs   Tera

Outcomes SYSTEMS CHANGE Case management model – career pathway planning with all customers – incorporated in their IWP Integrated Resource Team Model – perfect way to incorporate career pathway planning, all partners at the table – ABE, College, potential employers, etc. –also included as part of the IWP, if applicable Increase the number of ticket holders accessing the career pathways system Career pathway's programming is becoming sustainable Leslie Emphasize that these have been incorporated into the IWP development for ticket assignments. Also best practices for all program enrollments – encourage co-enrollment of ticket holders. Address how there is buy-in from program staff to incorporate the IRT model in what they do 25

Areas of Growth Increase ticket assignments Implement DRC level I training to CMJTS staff Implement DRC level I and II training to the Ticket team Leslie & Tera Address how executive staff see the significance of the DRC training and how it will be implemented with front line and corporate staff. 26

Discussion Items How do your Workforce ENs market your Career Pathways program? How are your Employment Networks marketing the Ticket to Work program? Please share any success stories you may have pertaining to Career Pathways and the Ticket to Work program. Miranda

Questions or Comments

Minnesota/CMJTS Resources http://www.mncareerpathways.org/pathways/ https://www.careerwise.mnscu.edu/ https://dei.workforcegps.org/about https://mn.gov/deed/data/ www.mnscu.edu https://minnesotaworks.net https://www.onetonline.org https://www.chooseworkttw.net www.ssa.gov/work https://yourtickettowork.com/web/ttw

DEI Workforce EN CoP Landing Page on Workforce GPS The DEI Workforce Employment Network (EN) Community of Practice (CoP) Landing Page (LP) will support DEI project staff who are operating Workforce ENs through the dynamic exchange of ideas, providing access to seasoned DRCs and other DEI project staff from across the country that have achieved success operating Workforce ENs.  DEI Ticket Ambassadors will serve as speakers kicking off each discussion with a short presentation on an aspect of Workforce EN operations and practices that has led to meaningful and sustainable employment outcomes for ticket holders accessing their Workforce EN. Landing Page https://dei.workforcegps.org/resources/2016/09/27/17/13/DEI_Workforce_EN_Community_of_Practice Question 1 – Lauren Example: We used to collect WIOA documentation so that we could easily enroll them into WIOA for services but found that a lot of the folks we see in Ticket are not eligible for WIOA. Created a lot of unnecessary paperwork, potential for PII loss; what’s right for WIOA isn’t necessarily right for Ticket. Exception, we do ask about their employment verification docs to make sure they have them ready to go but we don’t require copies. Orientations. This is continuously modified based on staff resources and customer volume. Orientations/intake as they come in vs. a set period during the month. One/one vs. group. Randy Example: Can provided immediate services as opposed to referral, meaning 2nd visit. Question 2 – Randy Example: benefits advisement immediately, and after receipt of BPQY; job referrals, questions about ADA law. Lauren example: Work incentives info; one/one assistance Question 3 – Randy Example: Can call and arrange job interview with partner agency for employment under government contract which calls for a 50% involvement of employees with disabilities. Lauren example:

Contact Information Miranda Kennedy 720.890.3990 mkennedy@ndi-inc.org Kevin Nickerson 202.798.1691 knickerson@ndi-inc.org Please also reference the DEI Ticket Ambassador Contact Chart

Contact Information Leslie Wojtowicz Development Manager Central MN Jobs & Training Services lwojtowicz@cmjts.org Tera Brooks Disability Resource Coordinator Central MN Jobs & Training Services tbrooks@cmjts.org