Disability Employment Initiative (DEI)

1. Disability Employment Initiative(DEI) Ticket to Work Boot Camp: Foundational Knowledge Ticket Overview: Integrating Ticket to Work into your One-Stop Career Center Hosted/Facilitated by: Miranda Kennedy Presented by Kevin Nickerson, NDI Technical Assistance Team Members 2012 Training Series

2. Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) • DEI Projects at the state level and/or local level participating LWIBs are required to become Employment Networks under Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Program. • Training and Technical Assistance to DEI Projects in attaining Employment Network status and implementing effective EN operations is provided under U.S. DOLETA contract with NDI Consulting, Inc. and the National Disability Institute (NDI). • Evaluation of the impact of the DEI Projects implementation and outcomes as Employment Network will be provided under U.S. DOL ODEP contract with Social Dynamics.

3. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this training webinar, DEI grantees and participants and partners from the public workforce system will have the following: • Basic understanding of the Ticket to Work Program • Knowledge of 2008 changes to the Ticket to Work Program rules • Awareness of Employment Network (EN) models and partnerships • Information on next steps and how to apply to become an EN

4. Agenda • Background: The Challenge Experience • What is the Ticket to Work Program? • Ticket to Work Basics • Review of 2008 Changes to the Ticket to Work Program rules • Employment Network (EN) models and partnerships • Resources • What’s my next step? How do we apply?

5. Background: The Challenge Experience

6. Consistent with Challenge Mission Established as an EN in 2001 First Ticket assigned in New York State to private EN Knowledge of SSA benefits increased Ticket holder confidence in services and assisted with referrals to program Increasing Ticket assignments now due to changes in regulations which occurred in 2008 *Challenge, a nonprofit, vocational services organization, was founded in 1968 to offer employment and placement opportunities to individuals who face barriers to employment. http://aboutchallenge.org/CI-final/ Challenge* Workforce Solutions – New York State EN Experiences 6

7. Challenge Workforce Solutions – New York State EN Experiences 2nd EN in Nation to achieve 60th Outcome payment (achieved March, 2007) Our second 60th Outcome measure occurred in May, 2009 Our third 60th Outcome measure occurred in July, 2010 In 2011, had a total of 5 Ticket holders “graduate” from the Ticket program successfully, helping us achieve all possible EN payments

8. What is the Ticket to Work Program?

9. What is the Ticket to Work Program? • A Social Security Administration Program • Established through the signing of legislation in December 1999, The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act • Provides payments to participating Employment Networks for assisting Social Security beneficiary’s in becoming more self-sufficient through employment

10. What is the Ticket to Work Program? • A program designed to assist Social Security beneficiaries in the return to work through the provision of employment services from public and private providers • Allows Social Security beneficiary’s to receive a Ticket to Work which may be assigned to a participating Employment Network for assistance in achieving their desired vocational goal • Expands the universe of choices people with disabilities have in getting assistance in the return to work through participating Employment Networks

11. What is the Ticket to Work Program? • The goal: • A Shift: Self-sufficiency. Decrease the Ticket Holder’s dependence on their cash benefits by increasing their work effort to substantial gainful activity, and ultimately, to assist Ticket holder in achieving self-sufficiency. Customer Service. A shift in how Rehabilitation services are offered, increasing beneficiary choice and customer service

12. Choice EN’s offer another level of choice to Social Security beneficiaries Increased need for exemplary Customer Service in providing rehabilitation services is important, especially as more EN providers become available VR MBI EN SBA WIPA ITA’s PASS One Stop

13. Ticket to Work Basics

14. In 2008, SSA made several improvements to the Ticket to Work employment program to increase participation. Today you will learn about these improvements and……. Ticket to Work program basics New payment structure How Partnership Plus works Next Steps to becoming an Employment Network 14

15. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act was passed in 1999 and provided benefits to SSA Disability beneficiaries & EN’s including: Yearly cost of living increases for Ticket Payments to EN’s Two new work incentives Extended Medicare benefits Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR) Medicaid Buy-In Programs Work Incentive Planning and Assistance projects Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency employment program Ticket to Work Program Basics 15

16. Creates an opportunity for any entity (other than a Federal Department) to become a Ticket to Work ‘Employment Network’ and begin receiving payments for supporting ‘Ticket Holders’ as they work at increasing their earning capacity. Ticket Holders are qualified Social Security Disability Beneficiaries ages 18 to 64, receiving Title XVI and/or Title II benefits (SSI or SSDI) Now both Medical Improvement Expected (MIE) and Medical Improvement Not Expected (MINE) groups are eligible due to changes in TtW regulations from 2008 Offers long-term funding to ensure Ticket Holders receive ongoing return to work support. Increases choice for Ticket Holders and Employment Networks allowing both to choose who they work with under the program. Ticket to Work Program Basics Cont. 16

17. Ticket to Work – Provider basics This is a voluntary program (you do not have to participate, although DEI projects have committed to becoming EN’s as a part of this grant) Provides additional monetary support to approved providers (Employment Networks) who assist Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment Funds are flexible, and can be used, in part, to support beneficiary needs Ticket to Work Program Basics Cont. 17

18. Ticket to Work – Ticket Holder basics This is a voluntary program - as a Ticket Holder, I do not have to participate. Provides Ticket Holders with CHOICE – as a Ticket Holder, I decide who I assign my Ticket to based upon who I feel can best provide the services I need. Ensures continued employment support – as a Ticket Holder, I know you will continue to provide me support beyond the time that VESID or Medicaid funding permits in some cases. Actively participating in the Ticket to Work program suspends a Ticket Holder’s medical Continuing Disability Review – as a Ticket Holder, I can return to work without fear that I will medically improve before I am gainfully employed. Ticket to Work Program Basics Cont. 18

19. Snapshot of Program Overview 4

20. Ticket Funding & Other funding sources Training and Employment Notice No. 20-07 clarifies that Ticket funding is an additional revenue source for One-Stop delivery systems and is not considered program income and WILL NOT replace existing funding sources (i.e. funding is in addition to current funding sources, to be used how you see fit) Braiding Medicaid funded services and Ticket to Work funds is not “double dipping” The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clarified this recently in a State Medicaid Director Letter (SMD #10-002), See: http://aaidd.org/media/PowerPoint/Ticket%20to%20Work%20SMD%201-28-10%20clean.pdf 20

21. Improvements to the Ticket-to-Work Program 21

22. 2008 Improvements of Importance Ticket payments have increased and allow for payments before the Ticket Holder works at SGA level Ticket payment structure encourages the use of available work incentives with new Phase 2 payment structure Tickets are now available to all beneficiaries with disabilities, ages 18 through 64 (with a few exceptions) Timely progress reviews are now one time per year Partnership with State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies are more clearly defined, and now called Partnership Plus 22

24. Outcome Payment System 2012 Rates 24

25. Milestone-Outcome Payment System: Phase 1 Milestones * Subsequent months must be at TWL 2012 Rates 25

26. Understanding Phase 1 Payments There are reasons some, or all of, Phase 1 payments may not be available to an EN: • Recent Work Activity • State VR history with Ticket Holder

27. Recent Work Rule Work at or above applicable Trial Work level earnings ($720 in 2012) within 18 months “prior to Ticket assignment” can impact EN access to Phase 1 Milestone payments Does not apply to Tickets assigned prior to July 21, 2008 MAXIMUS has created a tool to explore a beneficiary recent work history > Check out the 18-Month Prior Earnings Tool at www.yourtickettowork.com. 27

28. Partnership Plus VR Cost Reimbursement payments and EN Phase 2 Milestone and Outcome payments both possible for same beneficiary SSA will pay for sequential, but not concurrent, services When VR chooses to serve a beneficiary under Cost Reimbursement, beneficiary’s Ticket is -- Not assigned to VR, and -- Cannot be assigned to another EN while VR case is open New “in-use SVR” status extends Continuing Disability Review (CDR) protection to beneficiary while receiving VR services under Cost Reimbursement 28

29. Partnership Plus: VR Case Closure Beneficiary can assign Ticket to an EN after VR case closure Phase 1 Milestones not available to EN if VR closed case with beneficiary employed -- VR provided services leading to initial efforts at self-supporting employment -- SSA can pay EN for Phase 2 Milestones & Outcomes achieved after Ticket assignment NOTE: More detailed information about Partnership Plus will be provided in future TtW training 29

30. Milestone-Outcome Payment System: Phase 2 Payments 2012Rates 30

31. Milestone-Outcome Payment System: OutcomePayments 2012 Rates 31

32. The overall goal of the Ticket program continues to be self-sufficiency, and should be the long-term goal Should a beneficiary start with part-time work, as is sometimes the case, this can qualify an EN for initial Phase 1 Milestone payments Example: Joe is an SSI recipient, and works 20 hours/week and makes $8.50/hour, monthly average wage=$736 This example would qualify your EN for Phase 1 Milestone payments NOTE: Your IWP needs to be developed showing the Ticket Holder will achieve at least TWL earnings in order to be assigned by Maximus, however, the overall goal is to assist the individual in achieving greater levels of self-sufficiency, and to have clear, long-term goals of SGA level earnings Will becoming an EN help me with individuals that can only work part-time?

33. Milestone Reconciliation Payment Occurs when Beneficiary moves quickly into the Outcome Payment Period Includes all Milestones “available” at time of first Ticket assignment that remain “unpaid” due to the start of the Outcome payment period Reconciliation payment made when 12th Outcome payment is achieved This payment does not need to be requested, Maximus will determine the amount owed to the EN after the 12th Outcome is achieved 33

34. Requesting Ticket Payments Three options for requesting payment: 1. Evidentiary Payment Request (EPR) -- Requires primary evidence of earnings 2. Certification Payment Request (CPR) -- Uses secondary evidence of earnings 3. Workforce e-Process, e-Pay -- Available to Workforce ENs only, and provides automated payments from Milestone 1 through Outcomes NOTE: Billing options will be covered in detail in subsequent trainings, and are also covered by Maximus through Ticket Tuesday Training opportunities 34

35. Benefits of becoming an EN include: Increase your bottom line - Get paid for the work you are already doing Ticket payments are your own to use as you wish Generous funding stream – $23, 341 (SSDI) and $22,468 (SSI) per successful beneficiary who achieves all payments 35

36. 36 Q & A To ask a question/make a comment please click on the “raised hand icon” OR submit it via the Q&A panel, both are located on the right hand toolbar

37. Employment Network (EN) Models • Funds through the Ticket program are flexible to use as you wish, however, so is the Business Model you choose to develop for your Employment Network • The following are examples of strategies found in various locations across the U.S.

38. Local Level Strategy

39. Collaborative Agreement Strategy Specific Advantage of collaboration with One-Stop: Access to database of potential Ticket holders who wish to return to work, ITA’s, staff support Advantages: Sharing of information & resources, staffing and community outreach

40. Consortium Strategy Providers of Employment Services

41. State Level Strategy

42. Next Steps in Becoming an Employment Network (EN)

43. Becoming an Employment Network Get the EN Request for Quotation (RFQ) at: http://www.ssa.gov/work/enrfp.html Download and complete on your computer Cover letter provides information on how to contact SSA, and recommended way to send completed RFQ 43

44. Request for Quotation (RFQ) Basic Components Must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as the Tax ID # Must have general business or professional liability insurance in effect (minimum of $500,000 per occurrence) Must have a DUNS number (contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711 or apply online at www.dnb.com) Once you have obtained a DUNS Number complete the Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov); once CCR is active, complete the Online Representations and Certifications Application (https://orca.bpn.gov/) 44

45. You can receive assistance with questions you may have in completing the RFQ! Contact Emily Malsch, Ticket/Workforce Specialist, OSM/MAXIMUS, at emalsch@cessi.net, or by phone at (443) 492- 9846 REGISTER for the Ticket to Work Boot Camp, Part 2 Training: Understanding the RFQ Teleconference for DEI Grantees on February 9th from 3pm to 4:30pm EST: https://ndi.webex.com/ndi/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=962033463 documentation requirements review forms Q & A Additional help is available through SSA’s Employment Network Contracts Team E-Mail: ENContracts@ssa.gov Call: 1-866-584-5180 45

46. Once you become an Employment Network, MAXIMUS, the Operations Support Manager for the Ticket to Work program will: Handle the process for assigning & un-assigning Tickets Maintain the list of approved ENs Process Ticket payments Conduct timely progress reviews Staff an EN Help Desk Provide training & technical assistance to ENs Visit the MAXIMUS website at www.yourtickettowork.com As an EN… 46

47. Ticket to Work Program Resources: Visit SSA’s Work Site at: www.socialsecurity.gov/work Visit the MAXIMUS web site at: www.yourtickettowork.com or call: 1-866-949-ENVR (3687) Visit the Beneficiary Access & Support Services (BASS): http://chooseworkttw.net/ 47

48. Next Steps • Ticket to Work Boot Camp: Becoming an Approved Employment Network (EN) will cover the following: • Review RFQ, including document requirements. • Provide a section by section review of the RFQ and suggestions on how to successfully complete the required forms and receive your EN Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) award from SSA • Provide an opportunity for One-Stop Career Centers to establish a direct connection with Maximus, for assistance throughout the EN application process. • Registration Thursday, February 9th (3:00pm – 4:30pm EST) Registration: In order to register go to: https://ndi.webex.com/ndi/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=962033463

49. Contact Information Kevin Nickerson Program Associate NDI Technical Assistance Team knickerson@ndi-inc.org Phone: (607) 272-7570 Ext. 136