1. Tennessee Employment Initiative Funding Strategies for Change APSE Conference Indianapolis, Indiana Robert B. Nicholas, Ph.D., Policy Analyst Center on Disability and Employment The University of Tennessee

2. © 2004 Center on Disability and Employment 2 Employment First! Initiative ►Goals  Increase the number of people served by DMRS who are employed  Increase the supported employment service capacity of provider agencies  Establish employment as the first day service considered Tennessee Division of Mental Retardation Services (DMRS)

3. © 2004 Center on Disability and Employment 3 Employment First! Initiative ►Elements  Tennessee Employment Consortium  Goal of having 25% of people served in the community in employment  Employment First! Policy  Incentive Grants  Supported Employment Resource Handbook  Job Coach Training  Technical Assistance

4. © 2004 Center on Disability and Employment 4 Employment First! Initiative ►Funding Strategies  HCB Waiver funded supported employment  Money follows people  Blend Voc Rehab and M.R. funds  Incentive Grants  Social Security Work Incentives  Natural Supports

5. © 2004 Center on Disability and Employment 5 Changeover Funding Model Stage ► Sheltered Workshop or Community Participation ► Job Training, Placement & Stabilization ► Extended Services Funding DMRS: Day Habilitation Community Participation DRS (Voc. Rehab.): Service Funding Intensive Services Intensive Case Management Establishment Grants DMRS: Day Habilitation (Hourly) Community Part. (Hourly) Incentive Grants DMRS: Supported Employment

6. © 2004 Center on Disability and Employment 6 Employment Project Annualized Revenue Estimates ►Assumes: (1) 14 people and rates presented on the project roster; (2) a project with two six month phases each including 7 people; and (3) 50% of the current DMRS revenue following the individuals in each of the phases. ►*Represents 50% of the DMRS revenue discounted by an estimated 20% due to “double dipping” restrictions. ►**Represents $5,100 per person for 14 DRS closures for the project year (12 months/ 2 phases) so all figures are annualized. ►Note: Additional revenue for this project is likely. Potential sources are as follows: ►DRS Intensive Services- This is a new program which started October 1, 2001. It pays $18 per hour for a maximum of 400 hours for eligible individuals (ie. $7200 per person max.). Five of the individuals in the project currently have one to one supports and are almost certain to qualify. Three of these individuals are in Personal Assistance which is now a 138 hour rate category. Therefore, the Intensive Services hours will offset DMRS hours so the increased revenue would be limited to the approximately $4 difference in the hourly rates for these individuals. The other two individuals, however, are in Community Participation 1:1 which is an 83 hour per month category. Accordingly, Intensive Services revenue for these individuals would likely be in addition to DMRS revenue. It is reasonable to project an additional $15,000 in revenue during the project year from this source. ►DMRS Incentive Grants- The project is eligible for the new DMRS Incentive Grants. A request for proposals has been issues with applications due November 30, 2001. The grants will likely average approximately $10,000 and would assist with one time costs. SERVICE CURRENT REVENUE PHASE 1 REVENUEPHASE 2 REVENUEVISION CURRENT SERVICES DMRS $203,064DMRS $101,532-0- DRS PROCESS -0- DMRS $81,226* DRS $71,400** DMRS $81,226 DRS $71,400 -0- SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT -0- DMRS $101,532DMRS $203,064 TOTAL$203,064$254,158 $203,064

7. © 2004 Center on Disability and Employment 7 SUCCESS! Sertoma Center ►Large, traditional provider agency with deep roots in the community ►As of 2001, the agency had only 16 of 139 people served employed and no supported employment program ►New leadership committed to a changeover project with annual goals for moving people into jobs

8. © 2004 Center on Disability and Employment 8 SUCCESS! Sertoma Center ►The project is in partnership with DMRS, DRS, CDE  CDE provides technical assistance on organizational change, self determination, and job coach training  DRS provides hands on technical assistance and funds the employment process for each person  DMRS has provided technical assistance on a financial plan and four incentive grants, funds people for hours they are not in the employment process, and transitions day program funding for long term employment supports

9. © 2004 Center on Disability and Employment 9 SUCCESS! Sertoma Center ►After two and one half years the agency now has a specialized supported employment program called The Workforce and serves 37 people who are employed. It is continuing the changeover process and will move five additional people into employment in the coming fiscal year.