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Forging New Partnerships and Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. SPI and BARC SSA Projects Office Virginia Commonwealth University Beth Bader Gilson Susan O’Mara.
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Forging New Partnerships and Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities SPI and BARC SSA Projects Office Virginia Commonwealth University Beth Bader Gilson Susan O’Mara
Before there were WIGs…Before there were MIGs…Before there were BPAOs…Before there were PABSSs…Before there were ODEP Grants...Before there were Tickets... THERE WASSPI
The purpose of SPI is to develop innovative effective service delivery systems which increase employment of individuals with disabilities... and be able to demonstrate effectiveness through both outcome and process evaluation that includes extensive data collection.
Federal Agency Funding Collaboration - October, 1998 • Social Security Administration • Department of Education - Rehabilitation Services Administration • Department of Labor - Employment and Training Administration • Department of Health and Human Services - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration
WA NH ME VT MT ND MN MA ID SD WI NY WY MI RI NE CT IA PA NV NJ UT IN IL DE WV CO MO MD VA KS KY NC AZ TN OK AR NM SC MS ALA GA TX LA AK HI FL State Partnership Systems Change Initiative States OR CA OH SSA States RSAStates
But what has SPI really done in the past 4 years… Developed and implemented innovative service approaches that are addressing employment barriers for over 6,200 individuals with a variety of disabilities.
...had a significant impact on the expansion of health care coverage for individuals with disabilities Many SPI projects were instrumental in the development of Medicaid buy-in programs in their state. These projects have served as models for many other states currently attempting to design buy-in programs.
...have been heavily involved in improving the ability of One-Stop Centers to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities The projects have pioneered the provision of benefits planning services within the One-Stop structure, stimulated the development of improved service practices, and delivered training and technical assistance to local One-Stop centers.
...have developed innovative approaches to providing employment supports These approaches include such diverse strategies as targeted case management, SSI waivers, and employer partnerships, have expanded employment opportunities for individuals who have faced difficulties obtaining employment through traditional approaches.
...have served as a model for interagency collaboration The interagency governance structures developed by many SPI projects, generally comprised of state vocational rehabilitation, consumers, workforce development, Medicaid, employers, mental health, and other relevant agencies, have formed the basis for additional reform efforts through SSA, DOL, and CMS.
...have led the nation in the development of benefits planning and assistance services The initial results of the SPI projects efforts in this area formed the basis for the SSA Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach initiative.
Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach and Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security Essential employment supports outlined in the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act
Benefits Planning, Assistance, & Outreach Program The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 authorizes SSA to: • Award one or more cooperative agreements in every state and US territory, and • Provide all SSA Disability beneficiaries (including transition-to-work aged youth) with access to Benefits Planning and Assistance Services. OUTCOME… FORGING NEW PARTNERSHIPS!
Benefits Planning, Assistance, & Outreach Program SSA has awarded BPAO cooperative agreements to 117 organizations across the country.
BPA&O Roles / Responsibilities • Deliver benefits and work incentives planning and assistance • Conduct outreach to disabled beneficiaries regarding available programs and incentives • Prepare and disseminate information explaining such programs • Work collaboratively with other federal, State, and private agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve beneficiaries with disabilities
Array of BPA&O Services • Information and referral • Problem solving and advocacy • Benefits planning • analysis • advisement • Benefits assistance • Support planning • Management Support informed decision making and self-sufficiency stemming from work
Objective of the National Reporting Effort To document the degree to which the BPAO Program is achieving the outcomes intended by Congress when it established the Program as a key component of the Ticket to Work Act. Note: All services and recommendations are documented, as well as the beneficiary’s employment and benefits receipt status at the time of service.
Services Delivered to Recipients Through BPAO (N=16,584) SSI SSDI Concurrent
Incentives Indicatedby SSA Benefit (N=16,584) SSI SSDI Concurrent
Age Ranges by Services Received (N=16,584) I&R/Problem Solving Intensive Benefit Support
BPAO TA Trends • Work incentives -- next level, new provisions, & work incentive enhancements • Concurrent beneficiaries • Interface of multiple Federal & State Benefit Programs • Issues related to Medicare & Medicaid provisions
BPAOTA Trends • State-Specific Benefit Programs • Effective Collaboration with other Federal/State Grantees & Initiatives
BPAO Projects • 32 BPAOs operated by Centers for Independent Living • 18 BPAOs operated by Service Organizations such as Goodwill Industries, UCP, Easter Seals • 7 BPAOs operated by State Agencies • 8 BPAOs Legal Services, P&As, University based programs, Office of the Governor, CCD
Strategies for WIGS • Relationships • Training & TA on WIG initiatives • Information on new State/local developments • Collaboration on delivery of BPAO services
