DB101 MN Work Benefits You 1

P ATHWAYS TO E MPLOYMENT MAKING WORK PART OF THE PLAN Change expectations about work, which will encourage a change in attitude and behavior Strengthen communications and improve access to timely and reliable information Expand and strengthen MN’s benefits and work planning infrastructure 2

Creating a NEW NORMAL “all people with disabilities are encouraged and supported in exploring work as a viable option to build wealth and social well being” - NCHSD And… we all play a role. 3

What we will cover today Overview of objectives –Technical challenge: tools, resources –Adaptive challenge: changing behaviors and expectations Introduce tools and resources to support the change –DB101: New tool to support better work outcomes –DLL: neutral, safe access to understand options, connection to community resources and plan 4

Pathways to Employment Strategy Work · Benefits · You Platform Website: DB101Service: DLLApplication: Support & Training Making Work Part of the Plan Change Expectations Policy Shift: Opt out vs. Opt In Preferred Outcome: Real Jobs with Real Wages Support Planning & Improve Info Access Build Awareness & Improve messaging Embed planning 5

Making Work Part of the Plan Goals 6 People with disabilities can:The service delivery system can:  make informed choices about work and benefits  advocate, plan and obtain competitive employment  work competitively to full potential  achieve financial, health, and social well-being  successfully manage their benefits and earnings  introduce work as an option and a solution  provide consistent and accurate information  alleviate fears and educate  build work into “the plan”  encourage work to full potential

Turning the data curve People with reported disability in the labor force: 21.9% People with no reported disability in the labor force: 70.1% Bureau of Labor Statistics, February 2010

Disability & Chronic Poverty Cycle - Poverty and Disability, Atkins & Giusti, 2003 Limited education & employment opportunities Poverty Chronic poverty Increased risk of impairment Disability & discrimination

What keeps some people with disabilities from going to work?

Fears and misconceptions, rather than the disability itself are often the most significant barriers to employment.

PERCEPTIONS “Working just isn’t an option for my client. He’s just too difficult.” Fears of Professionals

“I could work more but I make sure I don’t work more than 18 hours each week so I don’t lose my Social Security.” Doug Do most public programs & social supports encourage employment? Fears of Losing Benefits

To access SSA disability benefits you must show that you have a disability that prevents you from working and will last for more than 12 months. However, once you get on SSA benefits, SSA has developed policies and services that help SSA bennies reach their work goals.

The Power of Expectations “Most consumers are motivated to work, provided they perceive that the professionals helping them also embrace the belief in the importance of work and genuinely believe that they can work” -Rogers, Walsch, Masotta & Danley, 1991

DB101 a tool to support the change A person centered system to: Expand information access Improve Benefits education Change messaging and perceptions Facilitate work planning 15

DB101 Provides - Content - centralized and easy to understand, that: covers benefits programs and work incentives, supports a learning process, answers frequently asked questions, and addresses common pitfalls. Estimators that tailor information to the user to: show connections between work and benefits, develop tailored plans, help set work goals, educate about work incentives and benefits, and offer tips for success. Experts (DHS, DLL, MNWIC) who can help: answer questions, access personal benefits information, interpret results, understand next steps, and connect to community resources. 16

How it Can be Used 17

The Work Benefits You Platform 18 Adopt DB101.org Enhance usability of the site Add “help center” to keep people engaged Site DB101 in DLL Provide support across continuum Coordinate with WIPA to maximize capacity Streamline access Benefits access TA Service Field test to learn application Adoption strategies to support goals Training to support application Process DB101.org DLL You

The DB101 Site! 19

DB101.org - Content 20

Content brings it all together… Information delivered in multiples ways to support learning –Success stories –Links to manuals, applications, key web sites –Try Its! –Glossary links –Going to Work Tool Box –Resources from Mnhelp.info

DB101.org - Your Situation

Your Situation: Going To Work

Article - Combatting the Myths

Life Situations Starting a Job While on Benefits: Isaac's Story 25

DB101.org - Programs

Programs: SSI 27

MA-EPD: Next Steps 28

Try Its – Bring Content to life

DB101.org - Estimators

School and Work Estimator

Benefits and Work Estimator

Estimator Results…. 34

Estimator Results –NOT better off

Plan A with IRWES

Results go deeper…. Summary Timeline Monthly Income and Expenses Health coverage Tips Next Steps 37

MA-EPD Estimator 38

MA-EPD Estimator Results 39

40 Learn more Online learning Quick Start Guides Meeting in a Box

DB101.org Highlights Support along the way… 41 Talk to an Expert provides real time support for: Content questions Understanding next steps Interpreting results Technical assistance Accessing public benefits data Connecting to the WIPA

DB101 is a Service of DLL MN’s information and assistance system for disability related questions 42

DLL Orient families to programs and benefits available Make referrals to community resources Follow up to make sure needs are met Assist with the application process Uses DB101 to educate that work is an option Serve as a resource for other disability related issues

The System Behind the Scenes Talk to an Expert Access it your way live chat, , or phone 44 Virtual technology connects the system so people get the right information at the right time

Real Time Benefits Access By clicking on talk to an expert users are connected with DLL Specialists at DHS who can pull their benefits information from the data warehouse. Immediate access to benefits information keeps people engaged and creates more reliable estimator results.

46 Learn more Online learning Quick Start Guides Meeting in a Box

DB101 as Part of the Process Inserting DB101 into the process to support systems change 47

DB101 can help at all stages to move to full potential 48 Doesn’t know/believe work is an option Exploring work as an option Limits work potential (TWP, SGA, …) Wants to work to potential (no limits) Has a work plan Working as planned Work/life changes (raise, promotion, marriage…) Youth-Visioning and planning for competitive work

Support across the continuum Professional Roles 49

Embedding tools in systems DB101 will be integrated into key systems to: –build clear, consistent messaging about work and benefits at consumer touch points and, –support policy shift of “opting out” of work rather than “opting in”.

Strategic Adoption Approach –Identify potential DB101 alignment with system –Field test to define best practices and opportunities –Identify how best practices can be embedded in the system –Develop communications and training to support best practices –Deploy in system to provide short term TA and support for adoption 51

Business Modeling The VR Process 52 OrientationAssessment Employment Planning PlacementClosure

53 Findings: DB101 helps people overcome barriers, set goals & create better outcomes FindingExample Reduces fears & lack of knowledge to create better employment outcomes Consumer working 5 hrs/week saw she could work 15 more hrs & now does so. Helps people move through towards seeking work at full capacity Consumers in enclave work could see & believe that they could earn a higher wage working a competitive job in the community. Can be applied across disability types & in different phases in the planning process Worked successfully for more than two dozen cases with all disability types & at different phases of employment planning. Provides a level of “objectivity” between the professional and the consumer that creates more engagement & better connection Consumer had formal Benefits Analysis, but didn’t “believe” the numbers – counselor did session together with consumer in DB101 & consumer felt more confident & moved forward. Creates efficiencies for the provider providing easily accessed & consistent information & conserving time Providers greatly favored the immediate access to a consumer’s accurate benefits data which helped them to move quickly to build plans & engage client. Illuminates big picture of employment planning & benefits planning, creating better informed consumer Counselor used it in consumer job group to illustrate how work and benefits interact & motivated her group to actively move ahead

Moving DB101 into Practice Be Curious & Explore Learn by trying new things –Scenarios –Scavenger Hunts –Save a session –Use Benefits Look Up You can’t break it and it is completely private Schedule time to learn Apply Decide to try it with someone Teach someone else about it Talk to someone else who has been using it Share ideas in forums Use training materials 54