Developing Occupational Information for SSA Disability Programs Sylvia Karman Social Security Administration International Association for Rehabilitation Professionals Forensic Conference October 31, 2008 Fort Lauderdale, FL

Overview The Two-pronged solution to the DOT problem: –Short-Term Project Goals Status –Long-Term Project Goals Phases Status

Two-Pronged Approach Short-term project will evaluate and select updated DOT-based occupational information Short-term project will evaluate and select updated DOT-based occupational information Long-term project will develop national occupational information tailored to SSAs needs Long-term project will develop national occupational information tailored to SSAs needs

Short Term Project Goals Provide SSA with updated DOT- based information while SSA pursues long-term solutions Provide SSA with updated DOT- based information while SSA pursues long-term solutions Do not change SSA policies, forms, or processes for short term Do not change SSA policies, forms, or processes for short term Provide information that may be useful to long-term project Provide information that may be useful to long-term project

Short-Term Project Two Requests for Information (RFIs) released March 2008: Two Requests for Information (RFIs) released March 2008: –Updated DOT-based information –Independent Evaluation (IE) of DOT-based information RFPs for Updated DOT-based information and IE published June 2008 RFPs for Updated DOT-based information and IE published June 2008

Short Term Project Status Contracts awarded August 2008 to Independent Evaluator: ICF International Independent Evaluator: ICF International Occupational Information: CPSSI, Inc. Occupational Information: CPSSI, Inc. Evaluation expected to run 9 months Criteria: Updates DOT-like data elements Criteria: Updates DOT-like data elements –DOLs Revised Handbook of Analyzing Jobs –Reflects occupations nationally Plans: If appropriate, SSA to use updated DOT- like data by December 2009 Plans: If appropriate, SSA to use updated DOT- like data by December 2009

Long Term Project Goals* Develop an integrated national occupational information system tailored for SSAs disability programs Develop an integrated national occupational information system tailored for SSAs disability programs Update SSAs disability policies, forms, and processes in light of new occupational data Update SSAs disability policies, forms, and processes in light of new occupational data Establish an ongoing process to keep the occupational information current Establish an ongoing process to keep the occupational information current * NOTE: Project assumes no changes to Social Security Act

What Do We Mean by Integrated? Integrate: Most viable methods to collect and classify occupational data Most viable methods to collect and classify occupational data Any relevant DOT data elements into new methodology Any relevant DOT data elements into new methodology New occupational information into SSAs disability policy and process/systems New occupational information into SSAs disability policy and process/systems Future data updates and policy development Future data updates and policy development

Long Term Project Phases Outreach Outreach Research and Development Research and Development (Including data collection) (Including data collection) Policy Development Policy Development Disability Process and Systems Integration Disability Process and Systems Integration Ongoing Maintenance and Support Ongoing Maintenance and Support

Outreach and R&D What type of information do we really want? What would be most critical for SSA disability evaluation? What type of information do we really want? What would be most critical for SSA disability evaluation? How do we go about getting it? How do we go about getting it? Build on work done earlier Build on work done earlier Talk to the experts and groups with an interest in outcome Talk to the experts and groups with an interest in outcome

Research & Development: FACA Establish Advisory Panel under the Federal Advisory Committee Act Establish Advisory Panel under the Federal Advisory Committee Act Experts in these areas: Experts in these areas: –Vocational Rehabilitation –Occupational Analysis –Physical and Occupational Therapy –Disability Insurance –Disability Claimant Representation –Physiatrist/Psychology/Psychiatry/

Research and Development: Determining What We Need SSA Workgroup Convened SSA Workgroup Convened Identify which physical and mental job demands are most relevant to disability evaluation Identify which physical and mental job demands are most relevant to disability evaluation –Study effects of using these new demands in residual functional assessment Use study results to develop instruments & metrics for job demands, including other data SSA needs Use study results to develop instruments & metrics for job demands, including other data SSA needs

Research and Development: Determining How to Get It Develop data collection and sampling plans Develop data collection and sampling plans Collect and validate occupational information Collect and validate occupational information

Policy Development Study effects of introducing nonexertional work demands (e.g. mental, postural, manipulative) into med-voc rules Study effects of introducing nonexertional work demands (e.g. mental, postural, manipulative) into med-voc rules Study effects of vocational factors (age, education, work skills) on disability claims Study effects of vocational factors (age, education, work skills) on disability claims Develop & test policy options Develop & test policy options Draft & publish revised regulations, rulings, policy guidance, etc. Draft & publish revised regulations, rulings, policy guidance, etc. Develop & conduct training Develop & conduct training

Disability Process and Systems Integration Develop a free-standing occupational information system, and Develop a free-standing occupational information system, and Develop an occupational information system as part of SSA disability process systems. Develop an occupational information system as part of SSA disability process systems.

Ongoing Maintenance and Support Develop occupational methods and processes to keep occupational information current Develop occupational methods and processes to keep occupational information current Keep Ongoing Maintenance in mind during R&D! Keep Ongoing Maintenance in mind during R&D!