1. EMPLOYMENT First
Sara Gales, OVR
10:15am – 11:45am

2. “Employment First” Means that…
Competitive, integrated employment is the first consideration and preferred outcome of publicly-funded education, training, employment and related services, and long-term supports and services for working-age Pennsylvanians with a disability.

3. Why “Employment First?”
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
In particular, Section 511
Governor’s Executive Order
Establishing “Employment First” Policy and Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Pennsylvanians with a Disability
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Rule
Opportunity to seek employment and work in competitive, integrated settings; engage in community life; and control personal resources

4. Pennsylvania’s Public Systems
Department of Education
BUREAU OF SPECIAL EDUCATION (BSE)
PA Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
Intermediate Units (IUs)
Local Education Agencies (LEA): School Districts/Charter Schools
Department of Human Services
Office of Developmental Programs (ODP)
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY SERVICES (ODP-ID)
Local County Mental Health/Intellectual Disability (MHID) Offices
BUREAU OF AUTISM SERVICES (ODP-Autism)
Autism Services, Education, Resources & Training (ASERT) Collaborative
Department of Labor & Industry
OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (OVR)
Co-located Local Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (BVRS) and Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) District Offices

5. Mission Statements
BSE: Per the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): To ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living.
ODP (Overall, including ODP-ID): To support Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities to achieve greater independence, choice and opportunity in their lives.
ODP-Autism (Specialized): To develop and manage services and supports to enhance the quality of life for Pennsylvanians living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and to support their families and caregivers.  
OVR: To assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities to secure and maintain employment and independence.

6. Area of Impact / Functional Eligibility Financial Eligibility
Who Do We Serve?
Public System
Age
Diagnosis
Area of Impact / Functional Eligibility
Financial Eligibility
BSE
Age 3-21
Varies;
Impacts Education;
13 Eligibility Categories
Impacts
Educational Progress
Does Not Apply
ODP-ID
Age 3+
Intellectual Disability
Impacts 2+
of 7 Skill Areas
Eligible for Medical Assistance
ODP-Autism
Age 21+
(Programs)
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Impacts 3+ of
6 Major Life Activities
OVR
Age 14+; Generally last 2 years of high-school
Impacts Employment
Impacts Employment;
7 Functional Limitation Factors
Does Not Apply; May Contribute

7. DISCUSS Common Areas of Impact
BSE
Education impacted by
1+ of the following:
Autism
Emotional disturbance
Deaf-blindness
Hearing impairment
Multiple disabilities
Intellectual developmental disability
Orthopedic impairment
Deafness
Other health impairment
Specific learning disability
Speech/language impairment
Traumatic brain injury
Visual impairment
ODP-ID
Limitations in
2+ of the following:
Self-care
Understanding and use of receptive and expressive language
Learning
Mobility
Self-direction
Capacity for independent living
Economic self-sufficiency
ODP-Autism
3+ of the following:
OVR
Work tolerance
Interpersonal skills
Work skills
Communication

8. Employment-Focused Services
Career Exploration
Aptitude Tests
Interest Assessments
Work Tolerance
Trial Work Experiences
Discovery
Skill Building
Academics
Formal Training
Work Skills
Work-Based Learning
Adaptive Skills
Social Skills
Behavioral Support
Self-Advocacy
Job Search Support
Resume
Job Search
Application
Employer Contact
Interviewing
Employer Incentives
Customized Employment
Support on the Job
Job Analysis
Supported Employment – Short Term
Supported Employment – Extended
Assistive Technology
Worksite Modifications
Tools or Equipment
Transportation
Medical
Non-Medical
Travel Training
Driving Skills
Vehicle Modifications

9. Referral / Application Process
BSE:
Referrals can be initiated by a Local Education Agency professional, parent(s), or a hearing officer.
Detailed guidance about the special education process available through this PaTTAN Publication: Pennsylvania Parent Guide to Special Education for School Age Children.
ODP-ID:
Register directly through local County Intellectual Disability Program.
Online Information Referral Tool (IRT) at Redirected to COMPASS.
ODP-Autism:
Call Follow prompts to select the appropriate program.
OVR:
Contact local OVR Office / OVR liaison directly.
Online Commonwealth Workforce Development System (CWDS) at

10. Availability of Services
BSE: Once eligible, all students with disabilities are entitled to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
ODP-ID, ODP-Autism, and OVR offer services based on available resources.
Reporting the current level of need is a critical component of accessing services.

11. Prioritization
ODP-ID: Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS)
Emergency (<6mo); Critical (6mo-2yr); Planning (2yr-5yr)
ODP-Autism: Interest List for Application
Adult Autism Waiver (AAW): Currently not receiving state or state/federally-funded services; Currently receiving state or state/federally-funded services.
Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP) Managed Care Health Plan: No priority categories, but only available in select counties.
OVR: Order of Selection
Most Significant Disability (MSD); Significant Disability (SD); Non-Significant Disability (NSD).

12. Problem Solving and Support
Public System
Chain of Command
Extra Support
Formal Procedures
BSE
Teacher, Transition Coordinator, and/or Guidance Counselor
Special Education Director and/or Principal
ConsultLine
(800)
IEP Facilitation
Mediation
Evaluative Conciliation Conference
Resolution Meeting Facilitation
Due Process Hearing
ODP-ID
Supports Coordinator (SC)
SC Supervisor
Administrative Entity
ODP Customer Service Hotline
(888)
File an Appeal
Fair Hearing (Waiver Services); Review Under Local Agency Law (Base Services)
ODP-Autism
AAW Supports Coordinator/ACAP Provider
BAS Clinical/Regional Staff Brought in as Needed
Bureau of Autism Services (BAS)
(866)
File a Formal Complaint
Fair Hearing
OVR
VR Counselor
VR Supervisor
District Administrator(s)
Client Assistance Program (CAP)
(888)
Written Appeal to Bureau Director
Informal Administrative Review (IAR)
Impartial Hearing

13. Links to Resources: BSE
Bureau of Special Education Webpage
PaTTAN Webpage
PA Secondary Transition Directory
PA Secondary Transition Guide Webpage

14. Links to Resources: ODP-ID
DHS Intellectual Disabilities Services Home Page
PA County Administrators of Mental Health and Developmental Services

15. Links to Resources: ODP-Autism
Department of Human Services Autism Services Webpage
ASERT Webpage

16. Links to Resources: OVR
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Webpage
Local OVR District Office Directory
A to Z of Disabilities and Accommodations via Job Accommodation Network