1. SDS, Income, Careers, Micro-Enterprise and Employment: The Possibilities are Endless! Shannon Munn – Pathways to Independence Doug Hunt – Dane County Human Services

2. “Every single person in this country has skills and talents to contribute to the workplace and every single person has an inherent right to work.” Neil Romano, Assistant Secretary Dept of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy

3. Integrated Employment Most people with disabilities served by the long-term care system are not working in integrated employment: most are currently unemployed or employed in facility-based settings, some making sub-minimum wages. 2002 stats for people with Developmental Disabilities (ICI)

4. Mixed Messages

5. Yes, you can….. IRIS and Family Care support meaningful work in the community for a competitive wage. With both Family Care and IRIS, you can take an individualized approach and customize your employment outcomes. Supported Employment is one but not the only means to find and maintain a job.

6. Citizens with disabilities have access to a broad range of support services for integrated employment which may not have been available before. For example: –Family Care can pay for personal care in the workplace, which was not available under COP, CIP or MA card. IRIS is working on adding that feature through self-directed personal care. –Family Care and IRIS cover the cost of transportation for people working in integrated employment. –Family Care and IRIS can support microenterprise and self- employment. –IRIS can purchase some necessary equipment, supplies, and services for work. –“Daytime activities” can include mix of employment and non- employment activities, to reflect individual’s preferences. –Facility-based pre-vocational and day services remain an option.

7. These support services can be creative, flexible and individualized. Examples: Equipment and Supplies for Work: –IRIS’s Custom Goods and Services can purchase equipment and supplies needed to validate an employment (or self-employment) goal. On-the-Job Supports: –Paying employers and co-workers for training and long-term on on-the- job supports. –Hiring a family member or supportive home staff to provide job coaching supports Transportation: –Paying co-workers for transportation –mileage reimbursement for rideshare –using supportive home staff to drive you to work

8. Natural Supports Can be part of our entry into SDS, or they can be something we develop along the journey of being more involved in our communities.

9. If I work I’ll lose my benefits!

10. Work Incentives A set of exclusions and policies from the Social Security Administration that help people with disabilities earn more money each month and keep their benefits. Some can be used to cover transportation costs, support costs, equipment needed for work and medical costs associated with work.

11. Work Incentives….. SSI - 1 for 2 MA through 1619(b) MAPP – Medicaid Purchase Plan IRWE – Impairment Related Work Expenses SSDI - Subsidy SSDI - Trial Work Period SSDI - Extended Period of Eligibility PASS – Plan to Achieve Self Support PESS – Property Essential to Self Support

12. Plan to Achieve Self Support A PASS allows people to set aside money to purchase items and services needed to reach a work goal. Money set aside is not counted as income or assets. The funding is self-directed. Must have a work goal and: – SSI + earned or unearned income or –SSDI + eligible for SSI and can live off of SSI payment www.passonline.org www.passplan.org

13. Work Incentives come with a lot of jargon but the two most important things to remember about them are….. People who receive SSI and SSDI can work and earn gainful income while maintaining Medical Assistance and other benefits that they need. There are trained benefits specialists offering free counseling services throughout Wisconsin.

14. Work Incentives Counselors Find a Work Incentives Benefits Specialist in your area: http://www.eri- wi.org/Benefits/FeeForService/CounselorsbyCounty.htm

15. How do we plan for something different? 1)Prioritize the person, not the program. 2)Know the options. 3) Anticipate the hurdles. 4) Know the resources. 5) Connect, connect, connect.

16. Prioritize the Person, Not the Program. I attend and participate in my planning meetings. I decide who attends my planning meetings and when they are. I have a means to express my preferences and goals about work. Team members listen to and respect my opinions and goals (even when they may not agree with them). Team members have a strengths and asset-based perspective about me. Team members keep a “possibility” mindset, make community connections and bring in resources. (Especially when challenges/barriers arise).

17. Integrated Employment Options Self-Employment “Owning a Business” Wage-Employment “Getting a Job” Applying for Advertised & Available Jobs Tapping the Hidden Job Market: Using Personal Networks, Customized and Negotiated Jobs Starting a Small Business: Market-driven Opportunities Microenterprise: Very small. Selling a product or service based on your interests and skills Starting a Microenterprise: A very small business. Selling a product or service based on your interests and skills

18. Where are the opportunities for citizens with significant disabilities? Most jobs are never advertised. Tap your network; follow the “threads of shared interest” with others. You can create your own work through self- employment. Ask your “team” to help you plan. Tapping the Hidden Job Market: Using Personal Networks, Customized and Negotiated Jobs Starting a microenterprise: A very small business. Selling a product or service based on your interests and skills

19. Why do people choose self-employment? Choice and Control Independence and Creative Freedom Natural Skills/Talents Inclusion and Connections Expanded Work Opportunity Availability of Supports Accumulation of Wealth

20. Examples of businesses owned by citizens with disabilities: Food and Snack Delivery Dog Treat Bakery Gift Baskets Outsourced Clerical Work Musician Artists/Crafters Jewelry makers Dog waste pick up Media Conversion Small Volume Shredding Errand Running/Courier Services Button Making Sewing and Alterations Recycling Lawn Care Vending E-bay/Amazon sales More!

21. Anticipate the Hurdles. Employment Myths Sheltered Workshop Long-term Support Presumptive & Deficit-based thinking Lack of skilled job developers Benefit Concerns Transportation Barriers Health/Safety Concerns Adaptations and Accommodations Employers Misconceptions Isolation/Lack of Connections School/Program Hesitation/Resistance to New Ideas Others…..

22. Know the Resources. All the MCO’s have Employment Coordinators and SDS Coordinators “Employment Specialist” with IRIS DVR’s Client Assistance Program Local SDS Coaches and Peer Groups Family Care Ombudsman Program – Disability Rights Wisconsin Lots of sources for Technical Assistance: Start-UP-USA, Job Accommodation Network, Pathways to Independence, Self- Determination Wisconsin http://www.eri-wi.org/work.htm More!

23. Connect, Connect, Connect. This is tough work, you don’t have to go it alone. Establish an “Employment Resource Team”: a self-directed, team approach leads to better outcomes. L V-Dane

24. Creative use of Self-Directed Services to meet support needs on the job: The Partners with Business Initiative Dane County, Wisconsin

25. Partners with Business Thorough Environmental and Task Assessments

26. Partners with Business Thorough Environmental and Task Assessments Rigorous Systematic Instruction

27. Partners with Business Thorough Environmental and Task Assessments Rigorous Systematic Instruction Paid Co-Worker Supports

30. Doug Hunt, Dane County Human Services Hunt.Douglas@co.dane.wi.us (608) 242-6358 Shannon Munn, Pathways to Independence Shannonm@pcsdane.org (608) 318-0700