1 Disability Program Navigator Training A Joint Initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration Collaboration with Vocational Rehabilitation Beyond Co-location: Working Together to Meet Employment Objectives Joe Skiba.

2 Vocational Rehabilitation Title IV of WIA contains the 1998 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

3 Context for Effective System Navigator Implementation Customer Needs Culture Policy Practice

4 Principles Driving the VR Program Independence Self Determination Informed Choice Meaningful Careers Individual Empowerment Maximize Employment/ Self sufficiency Inclusion/Integration Support for Individual and Systemic Advocacy

5 Principles Driving WIA Universal Access. State and Local Flexibility. State and Local Accountability. Choice. Streamlining Services. Strong Role for Workforce Investment Boards. Improved Youth Services.

6 According to ADA The nation’s goals regarding individuals with disabilities are to assure: equality of opportunity full participation (empowerment) independent living economic self- sufficiency Bobby Silverstien Disability Policy Framework

7 Principles Driving WIA Universal Access. State and Local Flexibility. State and Local Accountability. Choice. Streamlining Services. Strong Role for Workforce Investment Boards. Improved Youth Services.

8 Purpose of the Programs Funded under the Rehab Act… To empower individuals with disabilities to “maximize employment, economic self sufficiency, independence, and inclusion and integration into society”.

9 VR services to enable individuals with disabilities to pursue meaningful careers by securing employment commensurate with their abilities and capabilities.

10 State VR - Mandated Partner of the One-Stops Co-location Collaboration Linked planning Use of Memoranda of Understanding Cost allocation to share expenses based on “usage standards”.

11 Eligibility and Planning Focus on the strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities interests and informed choices of the individual.

12 Informed Choice

13 Full and Active Partners in the VR process Involvement and informed choice of the individual in decisions directly affecting them. Assessments to be conducted. Selection of vocational goals & objectives. Services and supports provided. The right to refuse or terminate. Selection of service providers. Measures of progress used.

14 Informed Choice, Achieved Only When: Individuals have Access to All Pertinent Information. Have Clarity Around Decision Making Process in Culturally Relevant Context. Individuals have Opportunity to Understand Information and have REAL OPTIONS. Are Actively Involved in Making Decisions and Following Through. Are Responsible for Evaluating Results and Integrating into Future Choices.

15 Eligibility VR services provided to eligible persons with disabilities to prepare for, secure, maintain or regain employment.

16 Eligibility Person must have a physical or mental impairment. Impairment results in a substantial impediment to employment Person requires VR services to prepare for, secure retain or regain employment.

17 Eligibility Person presumed to be able to benefit from VR in pursuing employment unless clear and convincing evidence the individual is incapable of benefiting related to vocational outcomes. Those receiving SSI or SSDI are presumed eligible.

18 Ineligibility Determination made only after involvement of customer or their representative. Informed in writing including reasons and means to express disagreement and seek remedy. Advised of CAP services. When decision based on individual is incapable of benefiting from VR to achieve employment outcome—decision to be reviewed within 12 mos.

19 Employment Competitive Full time or part-time if that is the maximum for the individual Self employment Supported Employment Competitive work, in an integrated setting

20 Individual Plan for Employment Developed with qualified VR counselor or option for customer or representative to develop and present to VR.

21 Individual Plan for Employment Employment goal. Specific VR services needed. Specific service provider selected by customer. Outline criteria to evaluate progress toward achieving vocational goal. Responsibilities of customer and VR agency. Plan to be reviewed annually. Rights and remedies provided to customer.

22 Order of Selection

23 Order of Selection When a State VR Agency is unable to serve all eligible individuals, an OSS must be implemented. Requires an order of priority based on serving those with the most significant disabilities first. VR must provide Info and Referral services. Implications for One-Stops related to referral of those outside the priority categories.

24 Comparable Services and Benefits VR must pursue other available resources when developing a plan for services with customers. Not required if the search would delay progress of the individual toward achieving employment outcome.

25 Services

26 Services Vocational and other training, personal adjustment; books, supplies. Counseling and Guidance. Corrective surgery or treatment to correct /modify substantial employment impediment. Prosthetic and orthotic devices. Assistive technology/accommodations. Support services, maintenance-transportation costs related to VR services.

27 Services Assessment for determining eligibility and rehab needs. Interpreter services, reader services. Diagnosis and treatment for those with mental or emotional disorders. Tools and licenses. Assistance to conduct market analysis, business planning toward self employment. Placement and follow along services. Post employment services to retain employment.

28 Customer Choice Challenges in Implementation (WIA) WIB Determines Training Areas Based on Occupational Demand. WIB Decides If and How Much $ Directed to Training. Labor Market vs. Individual driven System. Individual can Get Training only When no Job Results from Core or Intensive Services.

29 Customer Choice Challenges in Implementation (V.R.) Individual-Consumer Driven. Assessments to Determine Eligibilty. IPE. Vocational Goal. Services. Service Providers. Methods to Obtain Services. Partner in Monitoring/ Evaluating own Plan.

30 Due Process Requirements Provide information on rights and responsibilities Provision for internal hearings CAP Voluntary Mediation Appeals outside of specific VR agency

31 Other provisions Defines qualified rehab professionals. Establish System of Personnel Development Encourages coop agreements with other One- stop agencies. Emphasis on transition services for school aged youth. Innovation and expansion capability. Independent living programs funded through the VR amendments; State Independent Living Councils.

32 Performance Indicators Employment outcomes # achieving employment % with significant disabilities earning minimum wage Equal access to services Consumer satisfaction Retention of employment 6 and 12 months Use of resources

33 Challenges and Opportunities Create other options rather than automatic referral of persons with disabilities to VR. Blending of resources rather than each agency or partner viewing resources as “last dollar”. VR and Workforce agencies support PWD as recipients for WIA funded training and other support services.

34 Challenges and Opportunities Local workforce board targets PWD for training and other intensive services. WIA agencies begin to recognize part time or self employment as successful outcome. Multiple partners work together to implement employment objectives for PWD recognizing short and long term career goals of individuals.

35 Challenges and Opportunities Sharing relevant information across One-stop partners within confidentiality and release of information requirements. Put in place service architecture for coordinating and planning and support of PWD as part of a seamless system. Work toward better alignment of multiple agencies with varied cultures and traditions.

36 We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them Albert Einstein

37 Reference Web Sites