Medicaid Infrastructure Grants

1. Medicaid Infrastructure Grants Partnering with Business and the Workforce System to Improve Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities March 27, 2008

2. Disability Program Navigators Nanette Relave (Moderator), Director, Center for Workers with Disabilities American Public Human Services Association

3. Presenters Presenters: • Damon Terzaghi, Center for Workers with Disabilities, APHSA • Jack Quigley, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services • Joseph Ashley, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services • Vicki Tanner, Governor's Office for Workforce Development, Virginia • Larry Glantz, University of Southern Maine • Sara Kendall, Oregon Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services • Lucy Baker, Oregon Business Leadership Network Moderator: • Nanette Relave, Center for Workers with Disabilities, APHSA

4. Agenda/Objective • Provide an overview of Disability Program Navigators (DPNs), Medicaid Infrastructure Grants (MIGs) and Medicaid Buy-in Programs • Highlight collaboration between MIGs and DPNs, workforce agencies, and the business community • Showcase innovative state practices that engage employers and the workforce system to promote employment of people with disabilities

5. Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Initiative • The DPN Initiative is jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and the Social Security Administration’s Office of Program Development and Research. Since 2003, the DPN Initiative has been funded for approximately $81 million from ETA and $12 million from SSA. • A new position, the Disability Program Navigator, was established in One-Stop Career Centers throughout the country to better inform beneficiaries and other people with disabilities about the work support programs available at One-Stop Career Centers. • There are currently about 500 Navigators across forty-five states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. • The goal of the DPN initiative is to achieve more seamless, comprehensive, and integrated service delivery and supports that can expand the capacity of the workforce investment system to meet the employment objectives of customers with disabilities.

6. Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Initiative

7. Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Initiative • A Disability Program Navigator: • Improves access to programs and services in the One-Stop Career Center for job seekers with disabilities; • Facilitates integrated, seamless, and comprehensive services and supports in One-Stop Career Centers to persons with disabilities. • Improves linkages to the employer community and develops demand-responsive strategies to meet their recruitment and retention needs; and • Brings together multiple partners to foster a collaborative effort by building Interagency Action Groups and Integrated Resource Teams.

8. Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Initiative • For more information, please contact: • Alexandra Kielty, Program Manager for Disability and Older Worker Programs Phone: 202-693-3730 kielty.alexandra@dol.gov • Randee Chafkin, Senior Program Specialist for Disability Programs Phone: 202-693-2723 Chafkin.randee@dol.gov http://www.doleta.gov/disability

9. MIGs and Medicaid Buy-ins Damon Terzaghi, Policy Associate, Center for Workers with Disabilities, American Public Human Services Association

10. Medicaid Buy-ins • Medicaid Buy-ins: • One primary employment concern of people with disabilities: losing healthcare • The Medicaid Buy-in program allows states to expand Medicaid coverage to working individuals with disabilities whose income and assets would otherwise make them ineligible • Medicaid provides essential services often not available through private insurance • Buy-in participants pay monthly premiums and receive full Medicaid benefits package • Thirty three states had Medicaid Buy-ins as of 2006

11. Medicaid Infrastructure Grants (MIGs) • Medicaid Infrastructure Grants: • Created by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. • Funded from 2000 – 2011. • Support systems change in Medicaid agencies to improve employment supports. • Medicaid Buy-ins. • Attendant Services. • “Comprehensive Employment Supports.” • Mandated collaboration and coordination with employment and disability services. • 40 states currently have a MIG.

12. Medicaid Infrastructure Grants (MIGs) • Comprehensive MIG grants are intended to connect broader employment services and supports with Medicaid. • Examples of Activities: • Engaging Private Businesses and Employers. • Supporting coordination between agencies. • Benefits & Work Incentives Planning. • Education, Outreach and Training about Employment. • Research. • Today’s presenters highlight efforts around engaging Business Leaders & collaborating with the Workforce System.

13. MIG & Buy-in States Source: http://www.migrats.org 2006 Buy-in States; 2007 MIG states

14. CWD Contact Information • Center for Workers with Disabilities, American Public Human Services Association • Nanette Relave, Director nanette.relave@aphsa.org; 202-682-0100, ext. 241 • Damon Terzaghi, Policy Associate damon.terzaghi@aphsa.org; 202-682-0100, ext. 265

15. Virginia – MIG and DPN Collaboration Jack Quigley,MIG Project Manager, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services Dr. Joseph Ashley,Assistant Commissioner, Grants & Special Programs, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services Vicki M. Tanner Senior Planner, Lead DPN, Governor's Office for Workforce Development

16. Common Goals/Common Sense: MIG and DPN Collaboration in the Commonwealth of Virginia

17. Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) • The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) was recently awarded a new four-year MIG. • DMAS has successfully partnered with the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) for the past six years.

18. Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) • Section 1619(b) of the Social Security Act • Work Incentive Training (WIT) program • Work Incentive Specialist Training (WIST) program • Working Knowledge peer-based training program on work incentives • Merging employment with transportation and housing planning • Medicaid Buy-In

19. Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) & Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Initiatives in Virginia • DPN initiatives support several defined MIG outcomes and key strategies • Increase use of Virginia's One-Stop workforce system • Increase understanding of work incentives and use of benefits counseling services • Provide information and conduct outreach to employers throughout the state

20. MIG & DPN Initiatives in Virginia • MIG funds assistive technology (AT) kits and video teleconferencing systems for targeted Virginia Workforce Centers • Augments those from the Work Incentive Grant (WIG) • Placed in workforce areas not covered by the WIG

21. MIG & DPN Initiatives in Virginia • MIG supports the two Senior DPNs • Lead the effort to ensure that AT kits are utilized in the Workforce Centers • Promote use of video teleconferencing systems to connect the Centers and Work Incentives Planning Assistance (WIPA) projects • Liaison to facilitate access between WIPAs and One-Stop customers and staff through the multi-partner video conferencing initiative • Conduct comprehensive accessibility surveys at workforce centers

22. MIG & DPN Initiatives in Virginia • MIG funds AT Business Displays • Targeted for business trade shows or venues that include employers and business • Shows employers and staff how equipment can make jobs “doable” • DPNs use as a part of employer outreach and are part of the staff support for the displays: • DRS Business Development Managers • AT Engineers • Other partners from the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

23. Upcoming DPN Initiative • “AT in the Workplace” in conjunction with the Region 3 Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) –the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center • AT kits and training • 30, 60, 90 minute presentations

24. Contact Information • Jack Quigley, MIG Project Manager, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services • Email: Jack.Quigley@dmas.virginia.gov • Joseph Ashley, Assistant Commissioner, Grants & Special Programs, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services • Email: Joe.Ashley@drs.virginia.gov • Vicki Tanner, Senior Planner, Lead DPN, Governor's Office for Workforce Development, Virginia • Email: Vicki.tanner@governor.virginia.gov

25. Maine – Employer Engagement Larry Glantz, Senior Policy Analyst, Muskie School of Public Service University of Southern Maine

26. Maine – Employer Engagement Maine MIG • Employer Engagement Strategies: • Business-to-Business Efforts

27. Maine – Employer Engagement • Initial Strategic Research and Planning: • Hired several key consultants from private sector • Conducted Employer-related Research • Conducted Annual Surveys of Business Owners – 2005-7 • Undertook BLN*-type group Feasibility Study *BLN - Business Leadership Network

28. Maine – Employer Engagement Findings: What would help? • Lesson 1: Most employers haveno idea, but education is clearly needed • Most small business people have little experience with people with disabilities, and many feel that people with disabilities cannot do the work. • Therefore, education about the capabilities of people with disabilities is an important first step

29. Maine – Employer Engagement • Lesson 2: Support and backup can provide reassurance to nervous employers • For businesses interested in employing people with disabilities, readily-available and usable information on programs and legal issues is important, as is personal support from referring agencies. • These matter more than financial subsidies.

30. Maine – Employer Engagement • 3 Themes from Research • The importance of changing employer attitudes • Without which more money and programs won’t make a difference. • The necessity of creating public-private partnerships, based on personal connections, that include temporary staffing companies • The need for quick, reliable, trustworthy answers to questions about liabilities, programs

31. Maine – Employer Engagement • BLN Feasibility Study • Maine BLN History: • Several attempts to create a BLN failed • Has left scars (mostly in public sector) • Also no Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities • Conversations with key employers • Trusted source for critical info needed • Business-to-business network urged • Key disability-related themes emerging • Timely response to this opportunity a must!

32. Maine – Employer Engagement • BLN Feasibility Study – cont’d • Emerging Disability Themes • Overall workforce shortage • Aging of workforce – pending retirements • Injured veterans returning from Iraq • Business Response Needed • Timely and reliable information • Integration with other diversity efforts • Many current resources in private sector to link with related to disability and diversity

33. Maine – Employer Engagement • Key Initial Links/Partners • Maine Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Affiliates • Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility • Diversity Hiring Coalition of Maine • Business Partnership Effort Sponsors • Large Insurance Companies (MEMIC, Unum, others) • Some serve as portals to smaller businesses • Key Manufacturing and Retail Businesses • Some Small Businesses • Key but hard to recruit and engage

34. Maine – Employer Engagement • Expanding Maine’s Workforce • Built Working Together – A Business Partnership Effort • Sponsors (MEMIC, Unum, others) • Other Partners – large and small businesses • “Take the Pledge” • Developed “branding” • A “look” – logo, colors, print and electronic products • Web site – ExpandingMainesWorkforce.com • Video – Employer Stories and Themes • Traveling road show – workshop and information booth • Identified some key partner companies and coalitions • Large “friendly” companies • Closely related coalitions related to diversity and disability

35. Maine – Employer Engagement • The Working Together Pledge • "I certify that (company name) commits to the following best employment practices to further the employment of people with disabilities”: • A commitment to employ individuals with disabilities • A commitment to creating a corporate environment that is disability friendly • A commitment to a recruiting and hiring process that encourages people with disabilities to apply for posted positions”

36. Maine – Employer Engagement • Employer Engagement Products • Project Newsletter • Spotlight on Employers column • Employer Testimonial Video – 4 partner stories • Website: www.ExpandingMainesWorkforce.com • Traveling Information Booth • High Profile Partner Event each October

37. Maine – Engaging the public workforce development system • Disability Program Navigators – Business Outreach Partnership • 5 staff helping job seekers with disabilities to use Maine One-Stop Centers • These staff will promote Working Together as they engage employers • Hopefully will increase employers using One-Stops as a primary source of workers and technical assistance • Also helping to collect business needs and best practice information • Local Workforce Investment Boards • Using these boards as information hub to disseminate information on Working Together, but also refer employers in need to WT • WorkReady Credentialing Program • Increase employer awareness and use of this resource • http://www.workreadyforme.com

38. Contact Information • Larry Glantz, Senior Policy Analyst, Muskie School of Public Service University of Southern Maine • Email: LARRYG@usm.maine.edu

39. Oregon – Business Engagement Sara Kendall, MIG Project Manager, Oregon Department of Human Services Lucy Baker, Executive Director, Oregon Business Leadership Network

40. Oregon Business Leadership Network DEVELOPING A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR BUSINESS LEADERSHIP NETWORK THE OREGON BUSINESS LEADERSHIP NETWORK and THE COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT PROJECT (OREGON’S MEDICAID INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT) This presentation was sponsored in part by the Oregon Competitive Employment Project, which is part of the Oregon State Department of Human Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. The project is funded through a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CFDA # 93.768).

41. Oregon Business Leadership Network • COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN THE OBLN AND THE MIG • Grant writer for Internship and Summer Hire Center funding and evaluation; • Contractor to help develop Oregon’s first annual “OBLN Tapping Fresh Talent Career Fair”; • Early investment in capacity building for OBLN; • MIG assistance in building relationships with OVRS & OBLN; and • 2 videos (Oregon Business Plan co-sponsorship): • VR Youth Transition Program video with City of Wilsonville • Look at My Ability marketing video.

42. Oregon Business Leadership Network The Internship and Summer Hire Center

43. Oregon Business Leadership Network • The Internship and Summer Hire Center • 2006: 4 businesses partners, 4 student interns. • 2007: 12 businesses partners, 10 student interns. • 2008: MIG providing staff to write 7 grant proposals to gain fiscal support for website development and evaluation tools, resume database development and other capacity building support. • Website will go live in summer 2008 designed to attract business and provide students with portals to internship opportunities. • 2009 website and leadership expanded to support families and youth transition faculty.

44. Oregon Business Leadership Network • The Internship and Summer Hire Center (Cont’d) • SERVICE PARTNERS • Oregon VR Services' Youth Transition Program (YTP); • Oregon Commission for the Blind's Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP); • Incight Scholars (gives scholarships nationwide for students with disabilities to further education); • Business Education Compact (Oregon 3rd party payor for business internship opportunities); • PSU Disabled Students Association (DACA); and • Oregon Independent Colleges Foundation.

45. Oregon Business Leadership Network The OBLN First Annual Tapping Fresh Talent Career Fair • Held November 13, 2007 • Lloyd Doubletree Hotel, Portland, Oregon

46. Oregon Business Leadership Network • OBLN Tapping Fresh Talent Career Fair 2007 Paid Corporate Sponsors • PLATINUM: • Precision Castparts/PCC Structurals, • Nike • GOLD: • Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU), • Fred Meyer Stores (Kroger), • Portland General Electric, • USDA Forest Service, • PacifiCorp • SILVER: • Kaiser Permanente Healthcare

47. Oregon Business Leadership Network • OBLNTapping Fresh Talent Career Fair2007 • 400 job seekers including 200 working age students with disabilities. • 18 recruiting booths: 16 business and 2 higher education. • 100% employer desire to return! • Special features of the Fair • Student Central • Disability Etiquette 101 Training • Adaptive Tech & Universal Design Center   • I-Match Skills demonstrations  • The Affair After the Fair: Business presentation

48. Oregon Business Leadership Network OBLN Tapping Fresh Talent Career Fair2007

49. Oregon Business Leadership Network OBLN Tapping Fresh Talent Career Fair2007 “I have been in Human Resources for almost twenty years and I have been to a lot of job fairs in a lot of different places. This one was extremely well done. Bringing the students in for some practical “magic” about how to look for jobs and how you need to prepare was especially helpful. I found the job fair participants were much more prepared that those at many other job fairs.” ~ Janice Chandler, HR, Precision Castparts/PCC Structurals

50. Oregon Business Leadership Network • Relationship Building and Early Investment in OBLN • MIG assisted Oregon VR (the initial funder of the OBLN) in identifying measurable outcomes; understanding the role of the OBLN in the business community, and the necessity of the OVRS/OBLN partnership for people with disabilities. • MIG provided fiscal support for contracted staff in developing OBLN’s programs and scope. • MIG provides information about the OBLN and their activities in all presentations statewide and nationally.