1. IM4Q 2016 Annual Statewide Training Keynote Presentation: Employment First and STATE Initiatives on Employment

2. Today’s discussion: Executive Order 2016-03 (Steve Suroviec)
PA Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program (Devon Grant)
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Devon Grant)
ODP Update (Diane Cashman)

3. Employment First Executive Order
Exec Order – Signed March 10, 2016
Establishes Employment First Policy
Defines employment first
“First consideration, preferred outcome” of publicly-funded programs - education, employment, training, long-term supports
Defines competitive integrated employment
Minimum wage or better; works with or interacts with people without disabilities mostly.
Commonwealth employment
Measures for success
Develop plan within 120 days - Interagency workgroup
Stakeholder input; employer input

4. EFSLMP: Helping States Ask the Tough Questions in their Systems Reform Efforts
How do we align policy, practice, and funding?
How do we build and sustain capacity of our front-line staff?
What expectations should we place on providers?
How do we measure our progress?

5. EFSLMP: Promoting the promise and expansion of integrated employment by
Matching “core” states with peer-to-peer state mentors for policy and funding alignment
Providing intensive technical assistance to the core states from national Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for Employment First strategic plan development and implementation
Accelerating rapid-response policy outcomes in time-limited virtual working group model (Vision Quest Series)
Facilitating an ongoing Community of Practice for participating states

6. Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program: Unique Features
ODEP requires a minimum of six state agencies receiving Federal funds to be involved in EFSLMP state teams
Innovation in Virtual & Onsite Technical Assistance
Cross disability in focus
Partnerships are KEY to our Mutual Success PA
Co-State Leads: Devon & Diane
Core Team Members
Governor’s Cabinet for People with Disabilities
DHS Secretary’s Office
DHS, Office of Developmental Programs
DHS, Office of Long Term Living
DHS, Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
DHS, Office of Income Maintenance
L&I, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
L&I, Bureau of Workforce Development Administration
PDE, Bureau of Special Education
Executive Team: Deputies and Bureau Directors
External Partners

7. EFSLMP: Structure & Modes of TA/Training Provided (FY2016)
Tier 1: E1st Core States
Vision Quest Working Groups
State Assessments of Policy & Practice
Intensive TA/Training from SME Pool
Peer-to-Peer Mentoring
Tier 2: Community of Practice
Monthly Webinars & Informational Bulletins
ePolicyWorks Virtual Workspace
Quarterly Federal Policy Updates

8. EFSLMP Approach: Three Key Foci
Policy
Funding
EFSLMP Approach
Practice

9. EFSLMP Core State TA / Training – Key Areas of Foci
Provider Transformation
DSP Capacity Building in Effective Practices
School-to-Work Transition
Employer Engagement Strategies

10. EFSLMP Investments in Pennsylvania: Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
Vision Quest:
Marsha Threlkeld
TA / Training:
Jeannine Pavlak
Rachel Pollock
Corey Smith

11. EFSLMP Investments in Pennsylvania: Key Elements of FY2015 TA Plan
TA / Training - Provider Transformation
Leadership Bootcamp
33 providers applied; 16 accepted
2-day intensive training
Provider teams included CEOs, CFOs, Program Directors, Board members
1:1 TA / Training
4 of the 16

12. EFSLMP Investments in Pennsylvania: Key Elements of FY2015 TA Plan
Vision Quest
Draft Local Agreement to Support Best Practices in School to Individual Competitive Integrated Employment
PA Community of Practice Webinars
June 27: Social Security Work Incentives/Financial Literacy
438 attendees
August 15: Life Beyond Work
To register:

13. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
On July 22, 2014, President Obama signed into law the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which replaces the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
6/21/2016

14. Key Points in WIOA for VR
Increases Services to Youth/Students with Disabilities
Supports Employer Engagement
Emphasizes Competitive Integrated Employment
Limitations on Use of Subminimum Wage (Section 511)
Sets expectations for Interagency Collaboration-
Education, ID, Workforce Development
Introduces the new term Pre- employment Transition Services
This significantly expands the role of the Vocational Rehabilitation Agency in the transition process
Requires State VR agencies to set aside at least 15 percent of their Federal VR program funds to provide pre-employment transition services to assist students with disabilities make the transition from secondary school to postsecondary education programs and competitive integrated employment.
Allows State VR agencies to prioritize serving students with disabilities.
6/21/2016

15. Transition Pre-employment Transition Services
5 Required Activities including:
Job Exploration Counseling
Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLE)
Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in Comprehensive Transition (CTP) or Post-Secondary Educations Programs
Workplace Readiness Training
Instruction in Self Advocacy, which may include Peer Mentoring
Implementation of Pre-Employment Transition Services
Expanding OVR’s abilities to provide and fund services for students with disabilities
Cannot supplant services that are the LEA’s responsibility under IDEA
Looking to create new opportunities and/or expand existing programs through:
New Service Definitions and Provider Agreements
Group Services: Workplace Readiness, Self-Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training
Individual Services: Job Shadowing and Work-Based Learning Services
Innovation & Expansion (I & E Grants)
Interagency Agreements
OVR Interagency Agreements
Requires contract between two public entities (OVR & LEA).
Requires partner agency to provide 21.3% of budget in state funds/match.
Allows OVR to draw down additional funds (78.7%) from its federal partner, Rehabilitation Services Administration.
Must create new, or expand existing, VR services to meet unmet needs of students with disabilities.
Create something that does not exist.
Expand capacity of something already in existence.
Cannot supplant services that are deemed the responsibility of the LEA under IDEA.
Jointly developed direction of program; LEA employees and supervises staff.
6/21/2016

16. Section 511 Section 511 of WIOA went into effect on July 22nd, 2016.
Students must be provided PETS under WIOA and transition services under IDEA before entering subminimum wage
Students must be provided counseling and referral services after entering subminimum wage

17. Section 511
Neither an LEA or SEA may enter into a contract or other arrangement with an entity (i.e., an employer, contractor, or subcontractor holding a 14c certificate) for the purpose of operating a program for a youth under which work is compensated at a subminimum wage. (Authority: Section 511(b)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; 29 U.S.C. 794g(b)(2))

18. DHS - Office of Developmental Programs Plan
Data
Employment questions during ISP monitoring; HCSIS-based
Provider survey
Interagency Collaboration
Easier access to case info for shared customers
MOU
Local employment coalitions
Training and Information Sharing
Supports Coordinator Webinars
Regional, inter-system, in-person training
PADES, Everyday Lives, Transition Conference
Works For Me website
Regulations, Rules and Waivers

19. DHS - Office of Developmental Programs Plan
Waiver Service Definitions (for 7/1/17 renewal)
Stakeholder-driven process
40-member employment workgroup & ISAC
Day service stakeholders process & ISAC
Employment
Changes to existing definitions
New definitions
Concept for new “Community Participation” definition
Flexibility for individuals, families and providers
Time spent in facility
Facility size for new and existing
No final decisions yet; estimated timeline for formal public comment period - October 2016

20. OVR/ODP Funding Memorandum of Understanding
Collaborative effort - additional resources for OVR to develop additional capacity for people with ID and/or autism
500k in state ODP funds matches an additional $1.8million in federal VR funds ($2.3m total annually)
At least one new VR counselor in each of the 15 district offices dedicated to ID and autism
Local, in-person inter-system training
More of what’s working; new innovation and expansion?
(Jobs For All, Project Search, ACES, P.E.T.S., Discovery/Customized Employment)
Public awareness and outreach?
Local employment coalitions?
Reevaluate annually & redirect resources to what’s needed

21. Pennsylvania Resources
Pennsylvania Post-Secondary Transition Website:
Career Education and Work Standards Toolkit
Works for Me website
Office of Dispute Resolution
Pennsylvania Training & Technical Assistance Network

22. How can YOU Get Involved in Employment First Systems Change?
Tell us what’s happening in your community
Register to access free TA / Training via the ODEP National EFSLMP Community of Practice
Register to access free TA / Training via the PA EFSLMP Community of Practice

23. Additional Resources: National LEAD Center
5-year national technical assistance center operated through ODEP’s Workforce Systems Policy Division
Four Core Areas of Focus:
Policy
Communications
Innovations & Demonstrations
Training & TA

24. Additional Informational Resources: Key Websites
Job Accommodations Network:
Integrated Employment Toolkit:
Customized Employment Competency Model 24

25. Additional Resources: Engaging Families in Supporting Career Development
Briefs:
Understanding the New Vision for Career Development: The Role of Family,
Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success: Tips for Parents and Families,
Helping Youth Build Work Skills for Job Success: Tips for Parents and Families,
Tapping into the Power of Families: How Families of Youth with Disabilities Can assist in Job Search & Retention,

26. Contact Devon D. Grant Executive Director
Governor’s Cabinet for People with Disabilities
Diane Cashman
Director of Employment
PA Department of Human Services | Office of Developmental Programs
Stephen H. Suroviec
Special Advisor to the Secretary | PA Department of Human Services