1. What texans say that texas needs to do
Employment first
What texans say that texas needs to do

2. Why?
Is employment first?
Is education a part of this?

3. Who? Is included in the Employment first initiative
Needs to know about it to make it successful

4. How? Will this effort be sustained
Will people continue to receive support over a life time

5. Employment First Task Force
Legislative report
dedicated members representing people with disabilities, families, providers and agency staff
A lot of work to do!

6. Competitive integrated employment
typical employers In the community
a job/job task that any person may be hired to do
Minimum wage and better
The primary goal and priority for texans using publically funded services regardless of disability or level of disability

7. 1. Plan – implement – evaluate - plan
HHSC - twc - tea
Joint plan for funding
Phase-out of subminimum wage and segregated settings

8. 2. Employment first division
TWS-VR services are short term
Long term services - HHSC
Medicaid and other revenue funds that can be used for long-term support needs

9. 3. Compliance
Center for Medicaid and Medicare home and community-based services day settings requirements for integration
Workforce innovation and opportunity act

10. 4. Employment First – TEA, HHSC, TWC
Establish annual goals for increasing the number of persons with disabilities employed
Develop a system for collecting data mandated in wioa
Reported annually

11. 5. Local education agencies
Workforce innovation and opportunity act – pre-employment and transition guidelines
For students and graduates
Preparation for competitive integrated employment and individualized placements

12. 6. continuation Extend the employment first task force to 2022
Allow time to complete our mission
Ensure compliance with federal mandates
texans having a voice in what happens in our own state

13. Help!! Learn as much about employment as you can!
Teach and assist a person with a disability to find, get and keep a sustainable job
Partner with people who want to make this work in your local community

14. Learn (or know someone)
Ssi/medicaid – student earned income exclusion is one of the most progressive work incentives
Able – save over the $2000 threshold
Include people in all facets of the community (beyond the employment outcome)

15. Eftf thanks you!
For all you do for young adults to grow, learn and contribute to our lives
Dream big

16. Norine jaloway gill Imagine enterprises Njaloway@mac.com
(voice and text)