Disability Employment Initiative (DEI)

1. Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) TICKET 301: Employment Network Operations, Part II: Partnership Plus & Your EN Business Model Hosted/Facilitated by: DJ Diamond Presented by Elizabeth Jennings, NDI Technical Assistance Team Members 2011 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. 2

3. Upon completion of this webinar, DEI Project staff will: Understand what Partnership Plus is, and what it means to State VR agencies and ENs Have a clearer vision of how to develop an EN Business Model Have the tools to develop your EN Business Model, and connections to key State VR Ticket Liaisons Registration details for Ticket 301, Part III Ticket 301, Part II Learning Objectives 3

4. Ticket 301, Part II Agenda • Partnership Plus • State VR & Ticket to Work History • Cost Reimbursement • A New Approach in working with State VR Agencies, Partnership Plus • Additional EN-VR Considerations • DRC’s role in strengthening the Partnership Plus model • The EN Business Model • EN Business Model Basics • Establishing Your EN Operations Model • Components of Your EN Business Operations • Preparing for EN Operations 4

5. Partnership Plus Partnership Plus 5

6. State VR & Ticket to Work: History • Under the Old Ticket to Work Regulations, SSA paid for beneficiary success under either the VR Cost Reimbursement (CR) program or under the Ticket program, NOT BOTH • State VR agencies were required to assign Tickets in order to receive Cost Reimbursement payments for individuals served through State VR • Payments were not available under both the CR program and the Ticket program on behalf of the same beneficiary • Did not provide for a seamless service delivery hand-off from State VR to private EN for ongoing support

7. A Word about how SSA pays State VR agencies through Cost Reimbursement • SSA pays state VR agencies for the cost of the services they furnish to individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments based on disability or blindness if certain conditions are met • Services must result in the individual’s return to work for 9 out of 12 months at the substantial gainful activity level of earnings (which for 2011 is $1,000/month (non-blind), or $1,640/month (blind) gross) • If this is achieved, SSA can reimburse the VR agency for costs associated with achieving the placement, this is called Cost Reimbursement

8. Cost Reimbursement Payments to VR http://www.ssa.gov/work/claimsprocessing.html

9. The New Approach: Partnership Plus • Changes the relationship between State VR, and private ENs which encourages a seamless transition from State VR placement supports to long-term EN supports • A more coordinated process allowing Ticket holders to receive services from both State VR programs and ENs • An opportunity for improved collaboration between State VR programs and private ENs

10. State VR & Ticket to Work • Now State VR agencies do NOT have to assign a Ticket to claim Cost Reimbursement payments they are eligible for • State VR agencies can choose one of the following reimbursement options for each Ticket holder they serve: • Cost Reimbursement • EN under the Ticket to Work program • May choose either Outcome Only Payment method, or Milestone-Outcome Payment method in each case

11. State VR & Ticket to Work • When State VR chooses to serve a Ticket holder under traditional Cost Reimbursement, the Ticket has a status of “in-use SVR” (in use with a State Vocational Rehabilitation agency) which protects the Ticket holder from medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR’s) • In-Use SVR status also indicates that the Ticket is not available for assignment to another EN

12. Partnership Plus: An Improved Service Delivery Approach • State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies and ENs can partner to better meet the needs of Ticket Holders • New Ticket regulations permit payments to State VR agencies under the Cost Reimbursement (CR) program and to an EN under the Ticket program on behalf of the same beneficiary for the same Ticket • Note: Ticket cannot be assigned to State VR and private EN at the same time • For State VR agencies that have chosen CR, after case closure, a hand off to an EN for long-term follow up supports increases the likelihood they will achieve CR payments

13. Partnership Plus: What you should know as an EN • For a Partnership Plus case • State VR agency chooses CR program • Services must be sequential not concurrent • Allows a service provider to function as a VR vendor while the VR case is open and as an EN after VR closes the case • Opportunity to address need for post-employment supports to help Ticket Holders maintain and advance in employment • Increases likelihood • Ticket Holder will continue working • VR will receive CR payment from SSA • EN will receive Ticket payments

14. Partnership Plus: Impact on EN Payments • When a Ticket Holder’s VR case is closed successfully, Phase 1 Milestones are not available to an EN • Ticket Holder already working at Ticket assignment, placement services already provided by State VR agency • State VR will typically close cases 90 days after placement • Ticket can now be assigned to EN, and All Phase 2 Milestone and Outcome payments are still payable in this case • When a Ticket Holder’s VR case is closed unsuccessfully, ALL payments remain available to EN

15. Refresher: EN-VR Considerations When VR chooses to serve a beneficiary under Cost Reimbursement, the beneficiary’s Ticket is: -- Not assigned to State VR, but is considered “in-use SVR” status -- 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 State VR services under Cost Reimbursement NOTE: State VR Extended cases are considered “closed” cases, which could allow an EN to consider working with certain individuals who could benefit from additional services through an Employment Network For More information about Partnership Plus, see: http://partnershipplus.cessi.net/ 15

16. Scenario: An EN serves a Ticket holder who is not being served by State VR. The EN assigns the Ticket, and serves the Ticket Holder with some success. After 5 months, Phase 1 Milestones 1 and 2 are achieved and billed for by the EN. In month 6, the Ticket Holder determines they need additional training, and they are referred to State VR for assistance. The Ticket holder un-assigns their Ticket with the private EN and signs a plan with State VR for services. Questions: What happens to the first 2 Milestones the private EN received? Does State VR still have the option of serving under Cost Reimbursement? Additional EN-VR Considerations Partnership Plus 16

17. Additional EN-VR Considerations Answers: 1. The EN may keep the 2 Milestones they were paid for their efforts * 2. State VR may still choose to serve the Ticket holder under Cost Reimbursement or its elected EN payment system (per new regulations Section 411.585(c) ) Partnership Plus * Based on current regulations 17

18. DRC Impact: Creating a Strong Partnership Plus Relationship • The current TtW Partnership Plus model should help you to understand the value to both State VR, and ENs in partnering to serve Ticket holders after VR closure whenever viable • Provides an opportunity to collaborate with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors • Offers the opportunity for Ticket holders to choose ongoing supports, assuming goals are consistent with the TtW program • To discover how your State VR agency is handling the TtW program, you should reach out to your State VR Contact – See “Knowing your DEI State Vocational Rehabilitation Contacts”

19. Questions? A: Submit it to the host in writing via the Chat or Q&A Box to the right, or…B: Click on the “raise hand” icon to have your line un-muted and ask your question/make your comment.

20. Understanding your Employment Network Business Model

21. EN Business Model Basics • An Employment Network is a business, and like any other small business, careful planning and forethought will increase your chances of success • Your business model will set the stage for all subsequent steps you will take in developing your EN operations Examples: • Determining whether will serve Ticket holders who are interested in removing themselves from benefits through work, or who wish to work and maintain benefits, or both • What types of services you provide may be driven by an agency mission and/or the individuals within your One-Stop providing Ticket services

22. EN Business Model Basics: Request for Proposal (RFP) Structure • An Employment Network operates under an Employer Identification Number (EIN), as indicated in your RFP • The structure of your EN operations, based on your RFP, will likely represent one of three basic strategies: • Local level operation • Collaborative operation • State level operation

23. RFP Structure: Local level EN • Examples of Employment Network strategies: • Local level Strategy – A One-Stop/EN which has applied to become an EN based on a specific Workforce area, typically under the Workforce Investment Board’s (WIB) Employer Identification Number (EIN) • Advantages: • All Ticket funds generated go to local EN • Design of EN business operations is up to the EN • Challenges: • Local EN responsible for all EN operations, including all service delivery (Job Development, follow-up supports, etc.), marketing, billing and tracking of all Ticket Holders • No shared resources, therefore local EN must fully staff all operations and provide equipment and supplies necessary to support EN

24. RFP Structure: Collaborative EN • Local Level with Collaborative Agreement – Either a One-Stop or other community agency is the EN of record and is partnering through a local written agreement. This increases the resources available to Ticket Holders that are served in this collaborative model as both the community agency and One-Stop provide resources to the Ticket Holder. • The local agreement guides the services and contributions that both the One-Stop and community agency provide through the collaborative EN. • Advantages: • Sharing of resources • Increased access for Ticket Holders (more than one site) • Specific advantage when partnering with One-Stop Career Centers – Access to a pool of Ticket holders who might prefer to use a more mainstream job search approach • Blending and Braiding of resources for individual Ticket holders • Challenges: • Sharing of Ticket funds per written agreement • Scheduling and managing coordination of services between two sites in a time effective manner

25. RFP Structure: State Level EN • State Department as EN – State Department of Labor, for example, becomes the EN of record, and lists the One-Stop sites in the RFP that will be serving Ticket holders. One application covers all sites included in the RFP, and each site operates under the State EIN. • Advantages: • Reduced administrative burden for local areas • Additional resources at the State level to market the program state-wide • Ongoing targeted marketing to Ticket Holders by the state • One application required, local areas need not apply to become EN • Challenges: • Tracking of Ticket Holders at the State level would require dedicated staff time • Tracking large volumes of Ticket Holders would require a coordinated tracking system • Payments to local areas would vary, potential distribution challenge • State would likely require an administration fee for time spent

26. Components of your EN Business Operations • In order to develop your EN business model, you will need to address questions which address all phases of EN operations (see EN Business Model Checklist) • Questions you should answer - Basics: • How do EN services fit within the mission of the One-Stop delivery system? • One-Stops provide services to ALL customers, including PWD’s • Expands resources through EN revenue to serve this target audience • What kinds of services will your EN offer? • Job Matching services, Resume development, interviewing skills, workshops, funds for training (where applicable), subsidized wages (youth programs), Incentives to Employers (OJT, WOTC) • Who is your target audience? • Will you serve Ticket holders who wish to work part-time, full-time, or both? • Will you target only Ticket holders who wish to remove themselves from benefits? • Have you identified (in RFP) specific disability groups you will serve?

27. Components of your EN Business Operations (cont.) • Questions you should answer - Staffing: • Which staff will assist with your EN operations? • Will you designate one, or multiple staff members? (This will help you determine who should complete the Optional Form 306) • For all other One-Stop staff, have you considered a process that will introduce them to this new service, and how to effectively contribute? • Which staff will be required to fulfill the SSA EN Security and Suitability requirements? • For staff that will be working with Ticket holders, a simple security clearance is required, including Optional Form 306 • If you wish to obtain the Beneficiary Referral CD, containing contact information for all Ticket holders in your service area, a more complete and thorough background check is required • For more information, see: http://www.yourtickettowork.com/selftraining/ENSecuritySuitabilityRequirements3-24-09.doc

28. Components of your EN Business Operations (cont.) • Questions you should answer - Staffing: • What will the role of each staff member be? • Marketing & Outreach – Developing materials that represent your new EN option locally, and reaching out to your target audience • Assessment & Ticket Assignments – This person should be able to understand which Ticket holders are a “good fit” for your EN, and should be able to prepare all required documentation necessary to assign a Ticket • Administration – This person will likely handle your billing and tracking of Ticket holders you are working with. A clear understanding of the billing structure, billing options and when to bill will be required. Tracking of other key data will be helpful for future reporting to Maximus • Services – This will likely be multiple staff members of the One-Stop / EN, such as Employment Counselors, Workforce Development Specialists, DRC’s and others. The One-Stop provides an advantage in terms of the number of skilled staff members that may be part of delivering services • Benefits Advisement – A necessary component which should be provided to ALL Ticket holders. This will require internal expertise, OR, a strong partnership with another benefits planning service (i.e. WIPA)

29. Components of your EN Business Operations (cont.) • Questions you should answer - Marketing: • Marketing your new EN will require you to consider four main customers – Ticket Holders, Service Providers, One-Stop staff and Employers • How will you market your EN? • To Ticket Holders – You will first need to address which Ticket holders you want to market to, and then find ways to reach this target audience. There are a variety of ways to reach your audience, and as a One-Stop, you will have some advantages through your MIS • To Service Providers – Referrals from community agencies can greatly enhance your success in reaching Ticket holders, so reaching out to these agencies should be part of your strategy • To One-Stop staff – Don’t forget your internal customer, staff within the One-Stop. One-Stop staff should know how to make an internal referral for Ticket holders to find out more about your EN as an option for services • To Employers – Last but certainly not least are your local employers. You should be able to explain to employers, when a Ticket holder has decided to disclose, specific advantages in working with your EN (i.e. WOTC, guidance with accommodations when applicable, etc.)

30. Components of your EN Business Operations (cont.) • Questions you should answer - Funding: • Once you begin accepting Ticket holders who you will work with, you will then have to address how Ticket funds will be used • How will you manage your EN funds? • Will EN funds be saved for future use, for example, to carry DRC staff at the end of the DEI grant? • Will EN funds be available for staff that are serving Ticket holders for the purchase of necessary goods or services? For example, if a Ticket holder requires a specific certification, can EN funds be used to pay for such a request? • If you have a collaborative agreement, have you addressed the sharing of EN funds? • If you have a State level EN, is there a portion of the Ticket funds the state will maintain for administration, and is there a process to equitably distribute EN funds to each EN site? (i.e. based on an established formula)

31. Components of your EN Business Operations (cont.) • Questions you should answer - Administration: • Serving Ticket holders successfully through your EN will take you to the next phase of development, requesting payments based on the payment structure of the TtW program • How will you maintain Ticket holder information, and what information should you be collecting? • Having your Ticket holder data-base in place will help you stay organized, and will help you in determining when to bill for each Ticket holder • MIS systems may be used, and improved, in order to capture relevant data for your EN operation • Capturing key data will not only help you with billing, but will also help you when completing the Annual Periodic Outcome Report each year, as well as Timely Progress Reports • A data-base will also help you to monitor your ongoing efforts, and overall revenue, as one measure of success in your EN operations

32. Conclusions: Preparing for EN Operations • Developing your internal operations prior to accepting Ticket holders for services will allow you to provide better customer service to all customers involved (i.e. internal staff, Ticket holders, businesses) • While you can plan in advance for many of the components of your EN operations, you will continue to streamline your business operations as you mature as an EN, don’t expect to have everything go smoothly from day one, even with excellent planning

33. Conclusions: Preparing for EN Operations • Addressing EN operations internally first will provide you a platform to then market to Ticket holders, and other key stakeholders • There is no teacher like experience, therefore, you should connect with other successful ENs whenever possible to learn from, and to collaborate with, in order to continually improve services you offer

34. Questions? A: Submit it to the host in writing via the Chat or Q&A Box to the right, or…B: Click on the “raise hand” icon to have your line un-muted and ask your question/make your comment.

35. Ticket 301: Part 3 Staffing & Services, Marketing & Outreach This training will focus on Employment Network staffing needs, services your EN will provide, and how to successfully market the Ticket program to your target audience. Registration Note that all NDI hosted webinars are based on Eastern Time (ET). Thursday, May 12th (3:00pm – 4:30pm EST) Registration: In order to register go to: • https://ndi.webex.com/ndi/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=967677136

36. Contact Information Kevin Nickerson Program Associate NDI Technical Assistance Team knickerson@ndi-inc.org • For Ticket to Work Technical Assistance needs, please email questions, or requests to schedule a call. Email requests will be reviewed through out the week.