1. Working Together to Achieve Employment Success
APSE Annual Conference
April 29, 2013
Presented by:
Lynne Thibdeau and Sarah Gallagher

2. OPWDD Transformation
OPWDD’s initial goals outlined five specific areas of system reform:
1. Making the system more person-centered
2. Restructuring to provide better integrated, holistic support
3. Establishing transparent and sustainable funding
4. Measuring the quality of the system based on the outcomes of individuals
5. Serving people in the most integrated settings possible

3. Supported Employment Services and Competitive Employment
Employment Targets
Agreement between CMS and OPWDD
Supported Employment Services and Competitive Employment
Data reporting requirements – number of individuals in competitive employment and quarterly reports.
Increase the number of persons engaged in competitive (integrated at minimum wage) by 700.
Effective July 1, 2013 no new workshop admissions.
Provide a PLAN by October 2013 for increasing the number of students exiting the educational system moving directly into competitive employment.
Provide a PLAN by October 2013 for workshop closure.

4. Getting to 700 and Beyond Together Through Quality
New Placement
Pre-Placement Preparation
Discovery
Job Matching
Job Coaching
Getting the Business (employer) to Yes

5. Keeping People Working Through Quality
Retention
How is the Current Job Going?
Is the Business (employer) happy?
Re-Discovery
Re-Evaluate Job Coaching Levels
What has to be done to MAINTAIN this Job?

6. DISCOVERY
What is Discovery? Why is Discovery Important? Example of ETP Discovery Report

7. ELEMENTS OF THE DISCOVERY PROCESS
Interview individual One-on-One interview
 Vocational and other Standardized tests
Observed at Job-Related Situational Assessments
Interviewed Family and Friends
Reviewed File
 Interviewed Support Staff
Observed at Community Based Job and/or Volunteer Job
Observed at Home
Observed in Community Activities

8. Employment Training Program (ETP)
Wages Paid while a Person is Learning a Job
Funding for Discovery, Job Development, Job Coaching when Wages are Paid either by Program or Employer
Job Placement Leads to Permanent Employment
New Flexibility in Services
High School Students Transition

9. Transition from Segregated to Integrated Employment
Goals
July 1, OPWDD will not fund new admissions to (segregated employment) sheltered workshops/work centers
October 1, Submit draft work plan and timeline related to the elimination of OPWDD funding for segregated employment (final plan 1/14)
Strategies
Change Business Models- (affirmative businesses, social enterprises, etc)
Redesign Pre-vocational Services to be “Community Connected”
Transition to Pathway to Employment
Utilizing the Customized Employment Model

10. Pre-employment Strategy- Pathway to Employment
What is Pathway to Employment?
Time limited service – up to 12 months
Design to assist people in identifying a career goal
Services will focus on:
Pre-employment skills
Development of a vocational or career plan for achieving integrated employment at or above minimum wage
Self employment is included

11. Who Can Receive Pathway to Employment Services?
Anyone currently receiving the following
services:
Day Habilitation
Sheltered Workshop
Pre-Vocational
Supported Employment
As well as students leaving high school

12. Pathway to Employment Services
Services may include, but not be limited to:
Vocational and situational assessments;
Job readiness training;
Pre-employment skills including tasks necessary to obtain employment;
Job-related discovery;
Travel training;
Education and counseling around benefits planning;
Assessment for use of assistive technology to increase independence in the workplace; and,
Person-centered career planning which includes a vocational plan completed by the end of Pathway to Employment.

13. Pathway to Employment
Who may be able to Provide Service? Will there be training required? When will Service Start? Other Questions?

14. Partnering – Where Do We Go From Here?
SEMP Director Training/Forums Partnering Solutions to Challenges

15. ETP LOCATIONS AND CONTACTS
New York State Office for People with
Developmental Disabilities
ETP LOCATIONS AND CONTACTS
ETP Coordinating Unit
Lynne Thibdeau, Assistant Director Employment
Wendy Colonno, Employment & Community Service Coordinator
Albany Region Capital District
Gail Barbera…………………………
Gloria Hart………………………………
Binghamton Region Broome
Sue Tesar…………………………………
Denise Odea………………….………
Bronx Region Metro NY
Felisha Grant…………………………
Brooklyn Region Brooklyn
Liz Leahy………………………………
Buffalo Region 1 Western NY
Mary Pritchard………………………
Kevin Robison…………………..……

16. Long Island Region 5 Long Island
Michele Costa………………………
Charice Drakeford……………………
 Manhattan Region Metro NY
Edele St. Jean-Pierre………………
 Poughkeepsie Region Taconic
Marilyn Granieri………………………
Tanya Shook…………………………
 Queens Region Bernard Fineson
Valerie Mitchell………………………
Rochester Region Finger Lakes
Sue Williams…………………………
Janice Shafer…………………………
 Rome/Syracuse Region Central NY
Janet Bennett…………………………  
Staten Island Region Staten Island
Denise Funk…………………………
Thiells Region 4 Hudson Valley
Grady Miller…………………………
Tupper Lake Region 2 Sunmount
Sarah Gallagher………………………

17. Thank You!
Lynne and Sarah