How to Become an Employment Network

1. How to Become an Employment Network Overview for Potential ENs

2. Objectives • Introduce the Ticket to Work program • Identify steps to become an Employment Network • Outline next steps following approval

3. Ticket to Work

4. Ticket to Work Program • Provides employment preparation and placement services • Assists beneficiaries in becoming financially independent by: • Going to work • Moving off cash benefits • Open to beneficiaries ages 18-64 • Is voluntary

5. What is an Employment Network An Employment Network, or EN, is a private organization or government agency that agrees to work with Social Security to provide employment services to beneficiaries with disabilities.

6. Benefits to Becoming an Employment Network • Ticket to Work is a program that you can easily integrate into your existing business model • Outcome-based program • Assist beneficiaries in moving off Social Security roles and becoming financially independent through work • Ticket payments received from Social Security can be used at the EN’s discretion

7. Social Security • Oversees Ticket to Work program • Writes and updates regulations • Is the final authority on all decisions • Determines which beneficiaries receive tickets • www.ssa.gov/work

8. Operations Support Manager • Contracted by the Social Security to oversee daily operations of the Ticket program for ENs including: • Technical support • Training • Ticket assignments • Payments to ENs

9. Steps to Becoming an EN 1. Review and Complete the EN Request for Quotation (RFQ) 2. Receive Suitability Determinations 3. Complete Training

10. Step 1: Review and Complete the RFQ • Social Security solicits the services of potential ENs via a RFQ • The RFQ is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Social Security awards to qualified ENs. • Once the RFQ is approved, it becomes the BPA. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/enrfq.html

11. Step 1 (continued) The RFQ consists of six sections: • Part I – BPA • Part II – Price • Part III – Statement of Work • Part IV – BPA Clauses • Part V – EN Quotation Document Requirements • Part VI – Solicitation Provision Download a copy here: http://ssa.gov/work/enrfq.html Learn more about the Ticket program in the existing regulations contained in 20 CFR Part § 411

12. Step 1 (continued) RFQ: Parts I and II • Part I – BPA • Potential ENs must complete pages 4 and 5 along with the proposal documentation. Page 4 requires a signature. • Part II – Price • Paymentsto ENs are based on the beneficiary’s success in achieving and maintaining self-sufficiency through work. • There is no signature required in this section (page 6).

13. Step 1 (continued) Part III - Statement of Work : The introduction in this section outlines an EN’s obligations to Ticket-Holders under the BPA. An EN under the BPA has the affirmative obligation to: • Educate Ticket Holders that the purpose of the Ticket program is to provide individuals with the supports they need to go to work in order to become financially independent by leaving cash benefits; • Advise Ticket Holders on the benefits and risks of leaving cash benefits; • Provide employment services that allow Ticket Holders the opportunity and supports necessary to obtain and retain successful employment that will realistically enable them to leave and remain off cash benefits; and • In light of the above, an EN must choose a business model that provides opportunities and supports to beneficiaries that enable them to progress towards financial independence through work, rather than encourage and promote indefinite part-time employment.

14. Part III – Section 1:A. General Qualification Requirements • Have a minimum of 2 years experience (or 3 of the past 5 years) in providing the following core services: • Career planning • Job placement • Ongoing employment support • Protect confidentiality of beneficiary information • Be accessible to beneficiaries • Offer toll-free telephone access to consumers living outside the EN’s local telephone exchange area • Carry professional liability insurance

15. Part III – Section 1:B. Specific Qualification Requirements • Submit at least one of the following with the RFQ: • Evidence of certification or accreditation from national rehabilitation and employment services accrediting bodies (example: CARF) • A copy of the license or certification as required by State law to provide employment services • Contract or vendor agreement with a Federal agency, State VR or other State agency or a grant funding to provide employment related services

16. Part V – Section 2:Q. Business Plan The potential EN shall provide a business plan that describes: • Organization’s history, mission, accomplishments and corporate structure • Programs, services, and supports currently provided and relevance to the Ticket to Work program • Changes to the current business model; include plans for marketing, developing Individual Work Plans (IWP), providing short term supports and long term services, protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) • Plans for sustaining EN operations in advance of Ticket payment receipt

17. Business Plan (continued) • Requirements for a business model that includes the contractor serving as the beneficiary’s employer or agent • Requirements for consumer directed services • Identification of available jobs that pay at or above Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), and what services the EN will provide to ensure that the beneficiary maintains that employment

18. EN Quotation ChecklistPart V – Section 3 • The RFQ provides a checklist of everything that needs to be completed

19. Successfully Completing the RFQ(continued) • Part V - Section 1: Standard Form 1449 (pages 74, 75) • Must sign and date • Part V - Section 2: EN Information Sheet (pages 76 -- 86) , including: • SAM registration • Payment selection • Business plan • Proof of liability insurance • Past performance references *Do not forget to include attachments to the RFQ.

20. Successfully Completing the RFQ • Potential ENs must complete the following sections of the RFQ: • Part I - Section 1: The Agreement (pages 4 and 5) • Must sign and date • Part IV - Section 3:G. EN Security and Suitability Requirements (insert page numbers here) • Read the section and send in required documentation

21. Submitting the RFQ • Fax, mail, or email the completed RFQ to the EN Contracts team at Social Security: • Email: ENcontracts@ssa.gov • Fax: 410.597.0429 • Mail: Social Security Administration Employment Network Proposals Attn: Employment Network Contracts Team P.O. Box 17778 Baltimore, MD 21235-17778

22. Step 2: Receive Suitability Determinations In the RFQ, the EN will provide a list of employees working under the Ticket program that are requesting a suitability determination • Basic background check • Additional information regarding suitability can be found on https://yourtickettowork.com/web/ttw/wm-completing-suitability • Questions: email Social Security at ensuitability@ssa.gov • EN Suitability fax: 410.966.0640

23. Step 3: Complete Training • ENs must complete web-based start-up and ongoing training necessary for performing the duties and responsibilities required under the Ticket: • Required training found in Part III – Section 7 of the RFQ • The OSM will initiate contact with all new ENs to assist in beginning and completing this process.

24. What’s Next? • EN Responsibilities to Beneficiaries • Completing the IWP • Benefits Counseling

25. EN Responsibilities to Beneficiaries Part III - Section 5: EN Responsibilities to Ticket Program Beneficiaries • The EN will explain to the beneficiary the goals of the program relative to employment, benefits, and financial independence for informed choice, including: • The purpose of the program; • That participation is voluntary; • Agreement to make a steady effort to achieve employment goals; and • The EN role to support employment goals. (the above information is not a complete description of Part III, Section 5)

26. Individual Work Plan Part III – Section 3: IWP Requirements for ENs • The IWP is an agreement between the EN and the beneficiary detailing services the EN will provide and goals the beneficiary has set and the EN agrees upon. • Must contain nine components – pages 15-18 of the RFQ • Must be submitted within 14 days after it is signed by both the beneficiary and the EN • Ticket assignment is contingent upon the OSM’s receipt and approval of the IWP

27. Benefits Counseling Services • Employment Networks should consider incorporating Benefits Counseling services into their business model to prevent overpayment of benefits to beneficiaries. • These services include, but are not limited to: • Understanding and communicating work incentives and support services/programs available to beneficiaries who receive financial supports and the impact of work activity on those benefits. • Assisting beneficiaries to understand not only their benefits supports, but also how to utilize work incentives and other tools to assist them to achieve self-sufficiency through work.

28. Benefit Counseling Services (continued) • Benefits Counseling services are not a requirement for participation in the Ticket to Work program. However, it is viewed as an effective practice.

29. Mandatory Reporting • One of the major reports required is the Annual Performance Outcome Report (APOR). • Social Security will review the results of the work performed by each EN for each calendar year and calculate performance ratings based on the following criteria: • Provision of the services provided in the IWP • Employment results for beneficiaries including job placement and retention rates, achievement of timely progress benchmarks, and achievement of financial independence (exit the rolls with earnings at or above SGA) • Provision of ongoing employment supports as required • Beneficiary’s overall satisfaction with the EN’s services

30. Contact Us • Employment Network Contracts Team • Toll Free: 866.584.5180 • Fax: 410.597.0429 • Questions about the RFQ process: ENcontracts@ssa.gov • Questions about the Suitability process: ENSuitability@ssa.gov Download the RFQ at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/enrfq.html