1 Employment First -Our Collective Journey OAVSNP Conference Presentation Molly Holsapple State Dept of Human Services, Office of DD Services (503) Employment First -Our Collective Journey OAVSNP Conference Presentation Molly Holsapple State Dept of Human Services, Office of DD Services (503)

2 Opportunities for Persons with Developmental Disabilities 1950’- 1980s …. Institutions Fairview Segregation Special Schools, workshops Integration into the community

3 Integrated Employment 1980’s Supported Employment- in integrated business settings with help to choose, get, learn and keep a job. 1990’s Customized Employment and Resource Ownership Focus got lost in demands to expand service quickly and safely

The Employment First Journey Set the Goal Believe it Take Action Stay Focused Share it Re-commit to employment in a sustainable way

5 The BIG GOAL…. People with developmental disabilities are employed at the same rate as their peers without disabilities OREGON “Employment is the gateway to full citizenship” The economic situation is no reason for us to abandon our vision and values. ODDS Key Performance Measure is a 5% improvement in integrated employment per year

6 The BIG GOAL and Transition and DD in Oregon…. Old Dream Students can graduate with a job matching their interests that can be maintained with ODDS funding New Charter OVRS, ODDS and ODE Challenges and Opportunities Where will there be DD $ in the future? What are Governor Kitzhaber’s 2 identified priorities? What typical resources should we be ready to access?

7 National Legislation TEAM Acts introduced Next week …. TEAM= Transitioning Towards Excellence and Achievement in Mobility ◦ TEAM Education Act- amend IDEA ◦ TEAM Empowerment Act- Amend DD Act ◦ TEAM Employment Act Amend Rehab Act Innovation, integration, focus on customized employment outcomes, demonstration grants for reform strategies Oregon DD Administrator will testify in support of effort

8 Why Employment First Jobs are the way out- of poverty, achievers of inclusion, integration, personal competence and personal responsibility 75-80% unemployment nationally for people with developmental disabilities SSI payments projected to increase from 500 BIL in 2010 to 1 TRILLION in 2020 Today jobs are the primary focus for all public sector resources

9 Does ALL mean ALL? “…vast stretches of the unknown and the unanswered and the unfinished still far outstrip our collective comprehension.” -JFK

10 What we know for sure Employers are able 8B12/1/iUCYjxMO_e8 People with Significant Disabilities are available, want to and can work Dorothee: 3/NGls5xUec4o (church transcriber) Brock: (s heet metal factory)

11 More What we know for sure Employment 1 st is happening across the country and in Oregon We have better success catching students early and students not want to go into workshops ◦ 1650 brokerage customers want job now and only

12 Commitment to –Building, Preparing and Empowering Communities 2010 An Employment First Summit and 14 Community Events 550 Stakeholders but very few school's folks and we want you to join 2011 Provide regular support to Employment Leadership Teams Counties Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Tillamook, Yamhill, Umatilla, lane and Deschutes

13 Share EMPLOYER Stories and Voices too ◦ There is a competitive advantage to hiring people with disabilities because…  Valuable employees  Great retention rate  Requires no different assurances or insurances than other employees  Added value to the company culture  Makes good business sense  There is no “down side” to hiring people through supported employment programs

14 Empowering Local Employment Communities To Take Action …. Success of the Employment First Initiative is crucial to assuring our system remains mission and values driven What we are asking of our community  Start  Share what we/you are learning  Talk about employment—keep the conversation alive

15 State System Change Efforts Rate setting and Financing Rules expectations Performance Measures Individual Service Plan (ISP) Strengthening Partnerships and Collaboration Story telling

16 4 Paths to Employment

17 Linking to Employment First the web page Sign Up to get the Newletter. ge/optin/ea?v=001YkmmIsds1mq5N8ppz Z3apw%3D%3Dhttp://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/mana ge/optin/ea?v=001YkmmIsds1mq5N8ppz Z3apw%3D%3D.

18 Commitment to –Building, Preparing and Empowering Communities 2010 An Employment First Summit and 14 Community Events 550 Stakeholders but very few school's folks and we want you to join 2011 Provide regular support to Employment Leadership Teams Counties Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Tillamook, Yamhill, Umatilla, lane and Deschutes

19 Linking to Employment First The Call To Action  Community Leadership for Employment First in Oregon: A Call to Action (2010), this paper provides a blueprint for organizing state systems and community capacity towards Employment First implementation. It reflects the input and lessons learned through Forums and Orientations conducted throughout the state. Community Leadership for Employment First in Oregon: A Call to Action

20 What Can you do starting today? Believe and Start with 1-2 students Expect more for and with your students and adult partners Join an Employment First Local Leadership Team

21 Oregon’ s Education and Social Services Rough Water Ahead Crisis = Opportunity

22 Governor's Budget Comp Services Cuts in Admin or Comp Services Reduce Admin by 10% and eliminate QA Loss of non work services for 2000 Brokerage Services Cuts To Brokerages Reduce Admin by 10% and eliminate QA Less $$ for year olds Eliminate GF Only population Some change in benefits

23 What does it mean for all of us ? We do know its up to all of us to build alliances and figure it out….. Its up to us, our families, neighbors and communities to reach full employment for all people who need and want a Job! We can do it if we do it together!