The Illinois Employment Picture in Context: Employment First Summit 2012

1. The Illinois Employment Picture in Context Illinois Employment First Summit January 31, 2012 David Hoff Institute for Community Inclusion –U Mass, Boston david.hoff@umb.edu - 617-287-4308 Presented by: Marsie Frawley, Employment First Committee Member, Governor’s Task Force on the Employment & Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities April 25th, 2012

2. Employment First: What Is It? • General theme:Employment in the community is the first/primary service option for individuals with disabilities APSE Statement on Employment First Employment in the general workforce is the first and preferred outcome in the provision of publicly funded services for all working age citizens with disabilities, regardless of level of disability.

3. Employment First 2012 • 30+ states have some type of “Employment First” movement • About 3/4 of efforts are directed by state policy units or are legislatively based • About 1/4 of efforts are grassroots based – i.e., outsiders working to influence state policy and practice • At least 15 states have official Employment Firstlegislation and/or polices

4. Employment First:Why It’s Different • Clear state policy: employment as first priority • Broadly focused on all aspects of system • While it may begin in the grassroots, ultimately must be adopted and implemented by the system • Primary focus is not on eliminating facility-based services

5. "The world is full of good intentions,and I never met a nonprofit whosemission statement I didn't like.But I have not met all that many who could present some evidence of specific accomplishments that would leadin the direction offulfilling their mission." • Norton KiritzFounder, The Grantsmanship Center

6. Movement to Increase Community Employment

7. Public Policy Changes • Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – integration, inclusion, increased emphasis on transition and employment • Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Improvements Act (1998) • Workforce Investment Act (1998) – emphasis on disability • Olmstead Decision (1999) • Changes in RSA Regulations: successful employment outcome must be in integrated setting (2001) • CMS: New suggested Medicaid Waiver service definitions emphasizing community employment (2011)

8. Innovations In Practice • Movement from medical model to social model • Mid 1980’s – Emergence of supported employment • “Train & Place” transformed to “Place & Train” • 1990’s – Expanded use of “natural supports” • Mental health – employment as part of recovery • Ongoing innovation and expansion in use of accommodations and assistive technology • Innovations in transition practices focused on employment • Self-determination and self-direction • Changing workforce & workplace – flexible, more diverse, evolving use of technology • Universal Design

9. 2012: Where We Are At • Individuals with even “most severe” disabilities working successfully • Disability no longer seen as insurmountable barrier to employment • Expectations are changing • Individuals and families • Public systems & policymakers • Society

10. Use of Work Incentivesby People On SSI in Illinois • Plans for Achieving Self Support (PASS) – 40 • Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) – 123 • Blind Work Expense - 40 Source: Social Security Administration SSI Disabled Recipients Who Work, 2009

11. What We’ve Learned • Systems change must fit within overallculture of state • Systems change requires both: • big picture perspective and leadership • willingness to get into “nitty gritty” policy and practice details • Slow and steady wins the race • It’s not one thing, it’s a lot of things

12. 7 Recommendations of Employment First Summit - Develop the basis of an Employment First strategic plan for Illinois to include steps of: Public agency systems change and policy Data/measurement, evaluation, accountability Service and support capacity/development Funding – paying for what we want, creating incentives Transition, post-secondary education, career advancement Family and individual awareness/expectations Business and community development

13. Next Steps in Illinois April 12th meeting of Task Force to develop annual report to the Governor Opportunity to participate in ‘Community of Practice’ with Department of Labor – Office of Disability Employment Policy – Employment First State Leadership Mentor Project Continue to build on synergy of Summit which brought strong commitment of state agencies (DRS, DDD, DMH, DCEO, ISBE, IDES, Commission on Deaf & Hard of Hearing); advocates; self-advocates; Illinois APSE; Alliance for Full Participation; and others.

14. “Solutions to poverty are going to need to be as complicated as everything that causes it.” Dr. Claire McCarthy Martha Eliot Health Center, Boston

15. Examples of Illinois taxpayers working towards prosperity

16. ANDY Position: Parts inventory and other tasks at auto dealership Customized position created at height of recession when “no one was hiring” Position obtained via Kiwanis Club connection and shared interest in sports with manager Now on the board of the Kiwanis Club Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

17. Laura Position: Chef - Charlie Trotters, Chicago Graduated from IL School for Visually Impaired Attended Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind Received DRS assistance with vocational training at Le Cordon Bleu, College of Culinary Arts Would like to own her own restaurant Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

18. Daniel Position: Team Member - Lowe’s Home Improvement Received transition services from DRS & partnering services through Challenges Unlimited Has received Employee of the Month Received DRS support in moving from group home to own apartment National Rehabilitation Association Nominee Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

19. Jared Position: Service Clerk - Jewel Has worked for 4 years; past year without a job coach Advocates with state legislators Has own driver’s license – 4 year process Now owns a MINI Cooper Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

20. ANNIE Position: Employee at After School Program Customized position created based on interest in working with children Started as a Snack Aide; now reads to children as part of her job Initially required 100% job coaching; within 9 months, no job coaching Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

21. Devon Position: Mail Clerk at small hospital Devon likes to organize; focused on potential jobs that use those skills Customized position created through taking over mail duties previously done by nurses Increased efficiency, boosted morale Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

22. Jennifer Position: Artist Verbal abilities are limited, so started expressing herself through painting in elementary school. Passion for art grew from there Art will be on display in local coffee shop in April & May Looking for additional employment Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

23. Examples of Jennifer’s Work Web page – St. Louis Art Directory: http://myslart.ning.com/profile/JenniferWalter

24. “ A ship in harbor is safe ---but that is notwhat ships are built for. ” • John A. Shedd

25. Further Information: Governor’s Task Force on the Employment and Economic Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Co-Chairs: Robin Jones – guiness@uic.edu Ryan Croke – ryan.croke@illinois.gov Facilitator: Carlos Charneco – carlos.charneco@illinois.gov Employment First Committee Members: Robin Jones; Susan Walter swalter@isbe.net; Margaret Harkness-margaret.harkness@illinois.gov; Sharon Slover sslover@sedom.org; Phil Milsk-philmilsk@aol.com; Marsie Frawley marsiefrawley@yahoo.com