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Employment First Leadership State Mentor Program

Final Work Plan

GSA Contract No. GS10F-0042MBPA No. DOLQ089427777Task Order No. DOLU119432412

U.S. Department of LaborOffice of Disability Employment Policy

December 2, 2011

Submitted by:Economic Systems Inc.3141 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 700Falls Church, VA 22042(703) 642-5225www.econsys.com

http://www.econsys.com/

Table of Contents

I. STUDY BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES..............................................................................3

II. TASK APPROACH...............................................................................................................5

Task 1: Project Management and Work Plan................................................................................5Task 2: Federal Policy Mapping and Development of Actionable Recommendations and Products5Task 3: State Policy Mapping and Development of Framework.....................................................6Task 4: Training and Technical Assistance.....................................................................................7Task 5: Employment First Leadership State Mentor Program........................................................7Task 6: Selection of Leadership Mentor States..............................................................................8Task 7: Selection of Protégé States...............................................................................................9Task 8: Initial EFLSMP Introduction and Kickoff Event.................................................................10Task 9: Mentor-Protégé Technical Assistance Plans....................................................................11Task 10: Community of Practice.................................................................................................11Task 11: Information Dissemination...........................................................................................12

III. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS............................................................................................13

IV. INVOICE REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................14

V. STAFFING........................................................................................................................14

Ali Sayer....................................................................................................................................14Michael Callahan.......................................................................................................................15Ellen Condon, M.Ed...................................................................................................................15Amy Dwyre, M.A., CRC..............................................................................................................16Cary Griffin................................................................................................................................16Serena Lowe............................................................................................................................. 17Richard G. Luecking, Ed.D..........................................................................................................18Michael Morris..........................................................................................................................18

VI. DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE...........................................................................................19

EconSys December 2, 2011

I. STUDY BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is a Federal Agency within the Department of Labor that provides national leadership to increase employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities while striving to eliminate barriers to employment. ODEP supports the creation of expanded work options and meaningful employment, promotes economic opportunities and independence, encourages self-determination and supports full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace.

ODEP’s stakeholders include:

Individuals with disabilities and their families;

Private employers and their employees;

Federal, state, and local government agencies

A critical priority for ODEP is the increased opportunity for community-based, integrated employment opportunities for individuals with the most significant disabilities. Today, a plethora of research exists that corroborates the fact that youth and adults with significant disabilities, when working in integrated employment in the community, have a positive effect on the economy. Yet, despite evidence supporting their ability and desire to earn a livable wage and be self-sufficient in their communities, the unemployment rate for persons with disabilities remains a pervasive problem in the country.

Nationally, evidence is growing to support the use of Employment First service provisions to facilitate full inclusion in employment and community life for people with the most significant disabilities. Under this approach integrated community-based employment is the first option for youth and adults with significant disabilities. When implemented on a systemic basis, the Employment First approach increases such opportunities through the alignment of policy approaches and funding vehicles within the state.

The success of the Employment First approach highlights the need to align Federal and state policies, regulations and funding priorities to ensure that integrated, community-based employment is the primary employment outcome for the targeted audiences. This alignment relies upon collaboration. That is, critical agencies at each level of government must work together to align policies, regulations, planning and funding to ensure a consistent approach to systems transformation and strategy implementation. The need for such alignment of our public system of disability services has been recognized and suggested by subject-matter experts, advocates and individual federal agencies as the critical first step in a successful employment systems transformation.

ODEP recognizes that many states may desire to align their policy and funding in support of the Employment First approach yet may not possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and/or resources necessary to lead and facilitate such change. Consequently, ODEP, by way of this contract, will provide the impetus to assist in the transformation for selected states that desire

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systems change yet have struggled to fully implement the Employment First approach as the primary service delivery system for people with disabilities.

Through this initiative, ODEP seeks to create an Employment First Leadership State Mentor Program (EFLSMP) and a community of practice to address the challenges posed by systems change. Additionally, in an effort to ensure the information is readily accessible to all relevant audiences, ODEP seeks to commission a qualified entity to act as a content manager and gather the resources, techniques, strategies, and lessons learned from the EFLSMP to expand the knowledge base of the community of practice and expand the myriad of resources available in the EFLSMP and ODEP’s Integrated Employment Toolkit.

The objectives of this PWS are to:

Create and implement an Employment First Leadership State Mentor Program (EFLSMP) that will provide mentoring, intensive technical assistance and training to facilitate the alignment of policy and funding at the federal, state and local levels so that targeted states are better able to transform their employment delivery system to an Employment First approach. Specifically, the mentoring program will use states (see Task 6 for identification and selection details) that have successfully transformed their employment delivery system to an employment first approach and pair them with qualified participating protégé states (a state that would immediately benefit from a mentoring relationship facilitated by the EFLSMP to transform their employment delivery system to an employment first approach; see Task 7, below, for application and selection details) to mentor them during their employment delivery system transformation to an employment first approach. Moreover, the program will support collaborative efforts within selected states to achieve prioritization of funding and coordination of policy in those states resulting in increased competitive, integrated employment and economic advancement, at minimum wage or above, for transitioning youth and adults with significant disabilities;

Implement a policy mapping process across state and federal agencies to identify and document policies and practices that impede or facilitate adoption and implementation of Employment First as the preferred service option. The mapping process will also identify relevant policy authorities , develop draft policy materials and recommendations in collaboration with ODEP (including but not limited to proposed draft guidance, technical assistance or other materials), and facilitate meetings between ODEP and relevant agencies for discussion of these materials and recommendations;

Provide a web content manager for ODEP’s Integrated Employment toolkit, to continually review activities in the Employment First area and provide recommendations and links to ODEP for inclusion in the toolkit. [Note that the contractor will not input the links but will provide the relevant information, including the recommended spot for addition into the toolkit. It is expected that updates will be provided once a month for the duration of the contract.]

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II. TASK APPROACH

In this section the overall task approach to the project is described.

Task 1: Project Management and Work PlanEconSys will provide project management services encompassing all areas defined within the PWS utilizing industry best practices and demonstrated experience and competence in leading project teams.

1.1. This Work Plan is the first deliverable of this task order that includes: a study design plan and work breakdown structures (wbs) along with a timeline linking tasks and deliverables to specific dates; a list of the steps and the technical approach to project tasks; and discussion of contents and deliverables.

1.2. The work plan includes the necessary staffing plan, including the use of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), to meet the task order requirements. We included credentials for key staff and all proposed SMEs in a section below.

1.3. EconSys will coordinate with ODEP to identify the three (3) Employment First or integrated employment SMEs who should participate in the EFLSMP no later than thirty (30) days following ODEP’s approval of the Work Plan.

1.4. EconSys initiated a kick off meeting on October 13, 2011 with ODEP and other ODEP staff to discuss WBS, work plan, next steps, etc.

Task 2: Federal Policy Mapping and Development of Actionable Recommendations and Products2.1. EconSys, in consultation with one or more SMEs with demonstrated experience developing policy recommendations and materials, will conduct a policy mapping project across all Federal agencies impacting employment opportunities for people with disabilities to identify and document policies and practices that impede or facilitate adoption and implementation of Employment First as the preferred service option. Agencies will include but not be limited to Labor, Social Security, Health and Human Services, Education, Treasury, Small Business Administration, Transportation, Housing and others as appropriate and identified by EconSys’ SME.

2.2. EconSys, working with one or more SMEs will develop specific policy recommendations across Federal legislation, regulations and policy guidance for each Federal agency that will support adoption and implementation of Employment First. Recommendations will include draft legislation, policies and guidance, as needed. At least 5 policy products will be developed in addition to the action plan.

2.3. EconSys will submit to ODEP for consideration the draft mapped material and recommendations no later than sixty (60) days after ODEP’s approval of the Work Plan.

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2.4. EconSys will submit the final draft material with corrections based on any additional ODEP feedback to ODEP no later than ten (10) days following ODEP’s feedback on the draft mapped material.

More specifically our approach will be as follows:

1. Develop an interview protocol for review by ODEP to increase understanding of policy barriers and facilitators to Employment First policy implementation as a preferred service option.

2. Identify key policy leaders within select federal agencies to be interviewed (Labor, SSA, HHS , Education, Treasury, SBA, Transportation, Housing, CMS, ADD).

3. Conduct interviews and analyze results with draft findings.

4. Review identified policies (laws, regulations, guidance to states) to form new and improved framework for cross system support for Employment First policy.

5. Development draft policy framework to accelerate adoption and support of Employment First policy consistently across federal government.

6. Produce for ODEP

i. Draft map across federal agencies to facilitate adoption and implementation of Employment First as the preferred service option for target audience.

ii. Draft policy recommendations specific to one or more federal agencies that recommends legislative, regulatory, and other changes or guidance to adopt proposed Employment First policy framework (minimum of five policy products).

iii. Draft action plan to accelerate implementation of policy recommendations.

7. Based on ODEP feedback, produce final revised map, policy products and action plan.

Task 3: State Policy Mapping and Development of Framework3.1. EconSys, in consultation with one or more SMEs with demonstrated knowledge in policy identification and development, will conduct a policy mapping project across all state agencies impacting employment opportunities for people with disabilities, for states which have begun to adopt or implement an Employment First approach. The policy mapping project will identify and document policies and practices that impede or facilitate adoption and implementation of Employment First as the preferred service option. Agencies will include but not be limited to workforce development, education, housing, transportation, health care, mental health and others as appropriate and identified by EconSys’ SME.

3.2. EconSys, in consultation with one or more SMEs with demonstrated knowledge in policy development, and using information and materials obtained in the mapping project in Section 2.2 and 3.1, above, will develop a draft strategic planning framework tool to be customized and used by each participating protégé state in the EFLSMP. The strategic planning framework will act as a guide for developing customized plans for each protégé state, articulating specific

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action steps necessary which may be undertaken to achieve the desired employment systems transformation and build the necessary capacity to sustain such change within states.

3.3. EconSys will provide draft mapped material and a draft strategic plan framework tool to ODEP for consideration no later than sixty (60) days following ODEP’s approval of the Work Plan.

3.4. EconSys will submit the final draft material and strategic plan framework with corrections based on any additional ODEP feedback to ODEP no later than ten (10) days following ODEP’s feedback on the draft mapped material.

Task 4: Training and Technical Assistance4.1. EconSys, in conjunction with ODEP and EconSys’ SMEs, will create training and technical assistance materials necessary for adoption and implementation of the policy and practice recommendations made under this initiative, to support the EFLSMP program and for inclusion in ODEP’s preexisting Integrated Employment Toolkit. The additional material will provide guidance, technical assistance and training in areas where a lack of information, research or instruction regarding the Employment First approach and integrated employment service model exists. Such draft material will be provided to ODEP for approval no later than ninety (90) days following ODEP’s approval of the mapped material detailed in Tasks 2 and 3 above.

4.2. EconSys will provide the final technical assistance materials with corrections based on any additional ODEP feedback to ODEP for consideration no later than ten (10) days following ODEP’s feedback on the draft additional material.

4.3. EconSys will facilitate one site visit for each mentor-protégé pair for provision of technical assistance, including assisting with logistical arrangements and funding for the visits.

4.4. EconSys will establish a community of practice using the ODEP ePolicy Works platform described in Section 10.1 of this PWS, as well as conference calls, social media and other methods of information sharing.

Task 5: Employment First Leadership State Mentor ProgramEconSys, in conjunction with ODEP, will identify and develop a process to implement an Employment First Leadership State Mentor Program (EFLSMP) that will provide intensive technical assistance, guidance and training to participating states to facilitate the transition of their employment delivery approach to an Employment First approach, increasing integrated work opportunities, wages, benefits and economic self-sufficiency. The EFLSMP will use the information and materials identified and developed in Task 2 and 3, above, to facilitate the technical assistance, guidance and training aspect of the mentoring program. The additional material created in Task 4, above, will be used for technical assistance and training purposes in the EFLSMP as well.

5.1. EconSys will submit an outline for an Employment First Leadership State Mentor Program to ODEP for consideration within fifteen (15) days following ODEP’s approval of the Work Plan. The program will include the development of individual state-specific strategic plans for adopting and implementing Employment First, provision of targeted state-specific technical

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assistance using a mentor-protégé model and strategies such as reciprocal site visits, an electronic discussion forum and database, and establishment of a community of practice to facilitate knowledge transfer between states. The outline will allow mentor-protégé pairs to negotiate additional technical assistance strategies based on individual state needs and resources. Note that EconSys will not be responsible for costs associated with the electronic discussion forum architecture.

5.2. EconSys will provide the draft Program as outlined in Section 1.2.5.1, above, including specific mentor and protégé roles and responsibilities and program metrics to ODEP for consideration no later than thirty (30) days following ODEP’s approval of the additional training and technical assistance material described in Task 4, above.

5.3. EconSys will submit a final draft of the Employment First Leadership State Mentor Program based on any additional ODEP feedback to ODEP no later than ten (10) days following ODEP’s feedback on the draft Program.

Task 6: Selection of Leadership Mentor States6.1. EconSys, in conjunction with ODEP and the identified SME, will develop a selection process to identify and choose three (3) states that are successfully transitioning their employment service delivery system to an Employment First approach, recognizing and using integrated employment, with wages at or above minimum, as the optimal employment outcome for persons with disabilities, including those with the most significant disabilities. The chosen states will act as mentors to targeted states that express the desire and demonstrate a commitment to build the necessary capacity to implement the principles and strategies of the Employment First approach. Each Mentor state will be identified by the DOL/ODEP as an Employment First Leadership State Mentor, and will be provided a minimum of $50,000 for their participation in the EFLSMP.

6.2. EconSys will establish, in conjunction with its SME and ODEP, criteria for determining which states are successfully transitioning to Employment First programs, including such actions as formally adopting an Employment First philosophy, the alignment of policy and funding to support Employment First by agencies impacting the employment of people with disabilities (workforce development, housing, transportation, health care, mental health and others), and staff training. EconSys will submit the draft guidelines for the mentor state selection process to ODEP for consideration no later than thirty (30) days following ODEP’s approval of the Work Plan.

6.3. EconSys and SME will submit the final guidelines for the mentor state selection process with corrections based on any additional ODEP feedback to ODEP no later than ten (10) days following ODEP’s feedback on the draft mentor state selection process guidelines.

6.4. EconSys and SME will, using the approved selection process developed in conjunction with ODEP, provide a list of six (6) proposed states that are qualified to act as Leadership Mentor States as part of the EFLSMP. EconSys and SME will provide the list to ODEP for consideration no later than thirty (30) days following ODEP’s approval of the leadership mentor state selection guidelines.

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6.5. In conjunction with ODEP, EconSys and SME will choose three (3) of the six (6) qualified states to participate as protégé states in the EFLSMP. The final three (3) states will be selected no later than five (5) days following the ODEP’s review and approval of the six (6) proposed protégé states.

6.6. EconSys will notify the three (3) chosen Leadership Mentor States and provide them with all the necessary meeting dates and EFLSMP program information. EconSys will make this notification no later than thirty (30) days following ODEP’s approval of the three (3) proposed Leadership Mentor States.

The Leadership Mentor States must:

1. Document their accomplishments in adopting Employment First principles and strategies as the preferred approach for individuals with significant disabilities.

2. Provide evidence of alignment of policy and funding to build the capacity of service delivery systems to advance employment and economic self-sufficiency for the target audience in integrated competitive employment with wages at or above minimum.

3. Engage the workforce development system in coordination with other system to integrate and optimize the provision of supports and services to advance integrated employment outcomes.

4. Involve the employer community to improve options and supports for the target audience for successful transition from school to work.

5. Describe other promising strategies that are replicable and sustainable to accelerate the adoption of an Employment First approach.

6. Provide documentation of successful results at an individual and systems level.

7. Commit a lead staff member to allocate a minimum of 12 hours per month to support the mentorship activities who has the requisite experience and expertise with the states’ Employment First strategies.

Task 7: Selection of Protégé StatesEconSys, in conjunction with ODEP and EconSys SME, will develop an application and selection process to identify and choose three (3) states that would immediately benefit from and desire to participate in the EFLSMP in order to assist in transforming their employment services to an Employment First approach. Chosen states must meet prerequisites established by EconSys in conjunction with the SME and ODEP.

7.1. EconSys will work with their SME to develop an application and selection process to include criteria by which to identify three (3) states appropriate to participate as protégés in the EFLSMP. EconSys will submit the draft guidelines for the protégé state application and selection process, including solicitation and evaluation of competitive applications from interested states, to ODEP for consideration no later than thirty (30) days following ODEP’s approval of the Work Plan.

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7.2. EconSys will work with their SME to submit the final guidelines for the protégé state application and selection process with corrections based on any additional ODEP feedback to ODEP no later than ten (10) days following ODEP’s feedback on the draft protégé state application and selection process guidelines.

7.3. EconSys/SME will use the approved application and selection process to solicit applications from states interested in becoming protégé states in the EFLSMP. EconSys will then work with their SME to provide ODEP with a list of three (3) recommended states to participate in the EFLSMP as protégé states. EconSys will provide this list to ODEP no later than thirty (30) days after the approval of the protégé state application and selection process guidelines.

7.4. EconSys will notify the three (3) selected protégé states and provide them with the necessary meeting dates and EFLSMP program information. EconSys will make this notification no later than thirty (30) days following ODEP’s approval of the proposed protégé states.

7.5 Each of the three (3) Protégé states will receive a minimum of $100,000 for their participation in the EFLSMP (in addition to items such as travel specified elsewhere in this document). These funds are intended to provide flexible resources for use by each state to implement the systems change expected and may include (but are not limited to) costs of staff, meetings, participation in the community of practice and development of other state specific materials or items deemed appropriate by the state.

Task 8: Initial EFLSMP Introduction and Kickoff EventEconSys, in conjunction with ODEP, will facilitate a one-day EFLSMP Introduction and Kickoff event. The purpose of this event is to articulate to both mentor and protégé states the goals and objectives of the EFLSMP, introduce protégé states to their mentor states, facilitate the relationships necessary to achieve the stated outcomes of the mentor program and provide customized initial planning guidance with input from the SMEs assigned to each mentor-protégé relationship. Specifically, the meeting will serve to establish points of contact for each entity; a timeline for the completion of the protégé states’ strategic plans, using the framework developed in Task 3, above; and execution and documentation of the EFLSMP for each established mentor-protégé relationship.

8.1. EconSys will convene an initial mentor-protégé program kick off meeting within 30 days after the selection of the mentor-protégé states, at a venue provided by ODEP. This initial meeting will include up to 8 appointed representatives from each mentor and protégé state, representatives from the Department of Labor, and no more than three (3) subject-matter experts pertinent to the initiative. Up to 10 additional federal representatives may be included in the meeting. [Note EconSys will not be responsible for funding meeting space.]

8.2. EconSys will provide all materials, audio-visual supports and other logistical aspects such as agenda, room configuration, accessibility and accommodations, etc. of convening the meeting within five (5) days of the contract award.

8.3. EconSys will provide travel, lodging and per-diem for on-site participation for up to 8 participants from each mentor and each protégé state (not to exceed 48 state representatives in total). In addition EconSys will provide travel, lodging, per-diem and honoraria within federal

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guidelines for three (3) SMEs. EconSys will provide a process for payment to participants, as appropriate, prior to the meeting and all payments to participants will be made no later than two weeks following the meeting.

8.4. The Program will be implemented within ten (10) days following the introduction and kickoff meeting.

Task 9: Mentor-Protégé Technical Assistance PlansEconSys and its SMEs will facilitate and monitor the development and implementation of a technical assistance plan for each mentor-protégé pair that will include state specific strategies.

9.1. EconSys and its’ SMEs will collaborate with mentor and protégé states to facilitate the development and implementation of a technical assistance plan for each mentor-protégé pair that will include state specific strategies for systems changes needed to adopt and implement Employment First within the state, methods for providing technical assistance by the mentor state and development of any training or technical assistance materials needed to supplement the materials developed in Section 2.4 of this PWS.

9.2. The technical assistance plans will include milestones and timelines for implementing the plan. EconSys will monitor implementation of the plans and provide support as needed.

9.3. EconSys will submit a progress report to ODEP showing the progress, problems and additional supports given for each technical assistance plan within five (5) days of the end of each calendar month.

Task 10: Community of PracticeEconSys will establish a community of practice consisting of all mentors and protégés to allow an easy and free flowing exchange of information and documents related to adoption and implementation of Employment First principles. The community of practice will make use of the ODEP ePolicy Works platform, but also use conference calls, social media and other modalities, as appropriate.

10.1. EconSys, in conjunction with ODEP, will solicit and secure the services of a qualified Web SME with demonstrated experience in knowledge transfer activities, including experience in development of toolkits and electronic materials related to this subject, to act as a content manager and forum moderator for ODEP’s Web based EFLSMP ePolicy Works site and content manager to monitor and identify additions to ODEP’s existing Integrated Employment Toolkit. The SME will be responsible for (a) moderating and maintaining the electronic Employment First Leadership State Mentor Program site, and (b) regularly updating ODEP’s Integrated Employment Toolkit with any information, resource, multimedia material, etc. identified and or created by the EFLSMP or other related activity by ODEP or relevant parties (once cleared by ODEP or appropriate DOL authority). Such SME will be approved by ODEP. The SME will not be responsible for web design. EconSys will provide the name of the recommended SME to ODEP for consideration no later than fifteen (15) days after approval of the final Work Plan under Task 1 above. The recommended SME may be one of the SMEs chosen in Section 1.3 of this PWS.

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10.2. EconSys will, in conjunction with ODEP and the SME web content moderator, make use of ODEP’s virtual workspace, ePolicy Works, to facilitate each mentor-protégé relationship, acting as a repository for the exchange of information, materials, discussions, or other relevant transactions completed throughout the EFLSMP relationship. EconSys will begin use of the ePolicy workspace no later than thirty (30) days following the initiation of the EFLSMP. There will be no cost to EconSys for use of ODEP’s ePolicy Works other than the content moderator, who will be a senior policy expert with demonstrated expertise in this area.

10.3. EconSys, through their Web SME, will create a database in the ePolicy Works space detailing progress by each mentor-protégé relationship, using information such as, but not limited to, the milestones and outcomes identified in the EFLSMP and the subsequent activities identified in each of the customized strategic plans. EconSys’ Web SME will maintain this progress database on the collaborative ePolicy workspace and will update the information at least monthly. EconSys’ Web SME will submit a draft database structure to ODEP for consideration no later than thirty (30) days following ODEP’s approval of the EFLSMP.

10.4. EconSys’ Web SME will provide a final progress database with corrections based on any additional ODEP feedback to ODEP no later than ten (10) days following feedback from ODEP.

10.5. EconSys will use conference, social media and other appropriate modalities to supplement the ePolicy Works platform for enhanced communication between the participants in the EFLSMP program.

10.6. EconSys’ SMEs will provide an outline and timeline for the development of a Final report detailing the findings related to the EFLSMP within ten (10) days of ODEP’s approval of the Work Plan.

10.7. EconSys’ SMEs will produce a draft report of findings relating to the EFLSMP and submit it to ODEP for consideration no later than August 13, 2012.

10.8. EconSys’ SMEs will produce a Final report of findings with corrections based on any additional ODEP feedback to ODEP for consideration no later September 20, 2012.

Task 11: Information DisseminationEconSys, working with the SMEs, will inform key stakeholders about the ODEP Employment First State Leadership initiative. Materials developed under Task 2 and Task 3 can be used for this information dissemination.

The SMEs will participate in at least 3 conferences (APSE (in June 27-29, 2012), TASH, and NASDDDS (in June 6-8, 2012)) and one webinar throughout the year to inform such stakeholders of activities and accomplishments of the ODEP initiative. Conference presentations will be identified in concert with ODEP.

In addition, EconSys, SMEs and representatives from each of the Leadership Mentor and Protégé states will participate in one briefing to inform key Congressional and Administration leaders of activities and accomplishments of the ODEP initiative. The afternoon briefing will occur in Washington, D.C. during the 4th quarter. EconSys will be responsible for all costs associated with travel and per diem for one Leadership state representative from each of the 6

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states to attend. EconSys will also be responsible for other logistical aspects of conducting the afternoon briefing, including signage, registration, invitation, etc. There will be no cost for meeting space.

III. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

EconSys will submit a written monthly progress report to ODEP within ten (10) calendar days after the end of each calendar month. This progress report will contain narrative covering progress on each task and deliverable. We understand that ODEP may also request monthly meetings to take place at ODEP offices in the Department of Labor with key personnel. All reports will be in an accessible format.

Accessible Formats

All documents and deliverables prepared for or provided to ODEP must be in accessible formats.

This includes but is not limited to PowerPoint, PDFs, Word, fillable forms, charts and graphs, graphics, videos, and electronic materials. All materials submitted in hardcopy will be provided in an accessible electronic copy at the same time of hard copy submission. Any multimedia (i.e., DVDs) must be captioned and navigable by assistive technologies and any commands must be navigable by assistive technology, to include JAWS-readable compliant format (508 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 compliant). All PDFs created for or provided to ODEP must be in accessible formats. All graphics, charts, and graphs in a PDF must be attributed with appropriate descriptive alternate text. All text content in the PDF must be readable with a screen reader or Adobe’s “readout-loud” function on each page in a comprehensive and sequential manner, to include all information provided in any alternate text descriptions for graphics. Any fillable form fields must be readable in a sequential manner and executable by keyboard or other assistive technology

All copies shall be provided on disk in Microsoft Word format. The final product shall be provided in publication-ready, JAWS-readable compliant format All web-based systems and applications provided for use by or created for ODEP must be accessible and meet the criteria outlined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Department’s DLMS 9 Chapter 600, as well as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 (http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/). All web-based downloadable documents supported by any web based system or application must be posted in an accessible manner to include JAWS-readable compliant format (Section 508 compliant).

All training, vocal presentations, and training documents must be provided in an accessible format. The “point-and-click” method of training with screenshots is not sufficient. All screenshots of user actions must be given an equivalent alternate verbal or text description and a non-mouse-based action, and all materials must be provided in an accessible electronic format (preferably Word),

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IV. INVOICE REQUIREMENTS

EconSys will submit invoices to the Office of Finance Payments, and deliver by mail to the address shown on the award document. The invoice amounts for each month will be based on the work progress and the deliverables schedule.

V. STAFFING

The key staff for this project are the Project Manager and the Subject Matter Experts. We propose the following three Subject Matter Experts (SMEs): Michael Callahan, Cary Griffin, and Ellen Condon. In addition, we propose Michael Morris and Serena Lowe as the SMEs for the policy mapping tasks (i.e., Task 2 and Task 3). We propose Rich Luecking as the SME Coordinator for our team of SMEs and the facilitator for the initial EFLSMP kick off meeting. In addition, we propose Amy as the Web SME.

Employment First policy should be recognized not only as providing options for competitive and integrated employment at above or equal to minimum wage, but also supporting state policy and practice development that captures the importance of promoting economic opportunities and independence and encouraging self determination and full inclusion in communities. It is important for our SMEs to reach a common working definition of Employment First, both related to policy and practice as well as cross system collaboration and alignment of funding to prevent future placement of individuals with significant disabilities in non-vocational programs or sheltered work at below minimum wage.

We provide a brief bio-sketch for each key staff below. (The SME bio-sketches are provided in alphabetical order.)

Ali SayerAli Sayer (EconSys) will serve as the Project Manager. Ali has served as Project Manager on many recent ODEP studies and has experience working with ODEP staff. He has 25 years of management consulting experience in the fields of econometrics, regression and data analysis, statistics, operations research, survey design and methodology, labor economics, cost and benefit analysis, compensation, litigation support, real estate forecasting, relocation, and regional economics. His background includes project management as well as technical support experience for both government and private sector clients. He holds multiple master’s degrees in Operations Research, Applied Statistics, and Economics.

Ali was the Project Manager for several evaluation studies of the benefits programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs including the Disability Compensation program, a comparison group study. He is currently serving as the Contractor Liaison on the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)/task order contract for the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy. Under this BPA, among the task orders EconSys awarded are: Changing demographics and trends that affect the workplace; Resource compilation and Toolkit initiative add-on, Knowledge development and translation initiative for expanding availability and use of

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customized employment; Assistive Technology; Affirmative action strategies for the employment of individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans; and Accessible technology in the workplace.

Michael CallahanMichael has consulted throughout the US, Canada and Europe in the area of employment and transition for the past thirty years. He has worked with Marc Gold & Associates (MG&A) for thirty-two years, and has served as president of the organization since Marc Gold’s death in 1982. MG&A is a network of consultants that provides technical assistance to systems, agencies and families interested in insuring the complete community participation of persons with severe disabilities. In 2000, Michael joined three other colleagues, Joe Skiba, Norciva Shumpert and Melinda Mast, to form a non-profit organization, Employment for All. EfA is dedicated to assuring full access to employment for all persons with disabilities. He is a co-author of two popular "how-to" books on employment for persons with significant disabilities, Getting Employed, Staying Employed and Keys to the Work Place. He has written numerous articles, chapters, manuals and curriculums pertaining to employment.

Michael previously worked with United Cerebral Palsy Associations (UCPA) for thirteen years, ending his relationship in 2000. He was the project director for a DOL/ETA grant, One-Stop to Success, which offered persons with significant disabilities access to services in generic one-stop employment centers. He was also project director of the Choice Access Project. This five year project, ending in 1998, examined the feasibility of providing direct vouchers to persons with severe physical disabilities and for them to purchase the employment services of their choice, including 33 individuals who started micro-enterprises. He was the project director of UCPA’s Research and Demonstration Project on supported employment and the UCPA Self-Directed Staff Training Project for Supported Employment, a pilot project to test the feasibility of an individualized, competency-based curriculum for staff development as well as the UCPA National Demonstration Project for Supported Employment in the late 80's. These projects employed hundreds of persons with significant physical disabilities in jobs using supported employment.

His current work focuses primarily on Customized Employment for adults and youth with disabilities in both the disability field and in the generic workforce system, including assisting them to start micro-enterprises. In the seventies, Michael worked in a work activity center and group home for adults with developmental disabilities and he was a Special Education teacher for four years. He lives in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, with his wife and daughter.

Ellen Condon, M.Ed.Ms. Condon is the Transition Projects Director at the University of Montana Rural Institute on Disabilities where she has worked since 1996 on Transition and Employment for youth with significant disabilities. She is also a consultant with Marc Gold & Associates (MG&A), Griffin-Hammis Associates, and on the board of Employment for All (EFA). Ellen has worked in the field of Developmental Disabilities since 1986. Prior to coming to Montana her experiences included hands–on service delivery, program development and program management in community

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residential and supported employment programs. She received her Master’s degree in Special Education from Boston College in 1990 after completing course work in Transition and Supported Employment. At the Rural Institute she has served as the Principal Investigator and Project Director for numerous Federal and state-funded grants. She provides technical assistance, training, and on–site support to schools, agencies, and individuals and families predominantly in the areas of employment, transition, and Social Security Work Incentives. She lectures and consults with schools and adult service agencies nationally. She and her staff have produced numerous publications on Transition issues and employment.

Amy Dwyre, M.A., CRC Ms. Dwyre is a Senior Associate at TransCen, Inc. She is an experienced professional and trainer on integrated and customized employment strategies for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has worked as an employment specialist and a program manager in various integrated employment programs prior to her affiliation with TransCen. At TransCen, she recently functioned as the Project Manager on the Post-Secondary Education Research Center project funded by U.S. Department of Education to set up technical assistance centers and collect data on college-based transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Currently, Ms. Dwyre is a program associate in the Center for Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, funded by NIDRR and in partnership with the Institute on Community Inclusion at University of Massachusetts-Boston. The Center conducts research and disseminates information on promising practices that support individuals with intellectual disabilities so that they gain access to and be successful in an inclusive postsecondary education. Formerly, she helped develop and subsequently managed the Baltimore Transition Connection, a 5-year federally funded transition project for students with intellectual disabilities on 2- and 4-year colleges and universities in Baltimore, integrating the local school system, adult service providers, the colleges and universities, and the community.

Ms. Dwyre is a regular and in-demand trainer in the areas of job development, special education transition, and integrated employment for individuals with significant disabilities. She has a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling with a focus on Transition and Supported Employment from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Cary Griffin Cary is a Senior Partner at Griffin-Hammis Associates, a full service consultancy specializing in building communities of economic cooperation, creating high performance organizations, and focusing on disability and employment. He is also Co-Director of the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Self Employment Technical Assistance, Resources and Training project with Virginia Commonwealth University. Cary maintains a strong relationship with the Rural Institute at the University of Montana, where he served as Director of Adult Community Services & Supports. He is the former Executive Director of the Region VIII CRP-RCEP at the Center for Technical Assistance & Training (CTAT), now part of the TACE, which he founded at the University of Northern Colorado in 1989. Cary provides training to administrative and direct service level professionals in the rehabilitation field; consultation to businesses and rehabilitation agencies

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regarding the employment of individuals with significant disabilities; field-initiated research & demonstration; family & consumer case consultation; resource development; organizational development.

He is also the lead author for several new series of on-line synchronous and asynchronous web-based courses developed in partnership with Essential Learning, Virginia Commonwealth University, and various agencies addressing training & certification of personnel in customized employment, vocational assessment, self employment, Social Security benefits, and related policy. Cary is author of the book Working Better, Working Smarter, and co-author of the books Making Self Employment Work for People with Disabilities, and the first book on Customized Employment, The Job Developer’s Handbook: Practical Tactics for Customized Employment. Current projects include development and management of a statewide Rural Florida Customized Employment initiative, a statewide disability self-employment project in Kansas, developing the strategic plan for British Columbia’s CE and Employment First program, several state Money Follows the Person and Medicaid Infrastructure Grant initiatives (Rhode Island, Minnesota, Iowa, et al.), and inner city Customized Employment projects (Philadelphia, Los Angeles, et al.).

Cary also serves as Deputy Director and Board Chair of the Center for Social Capital, a non-profit affiliate of Griffin-Hammis Associates.

Serena LoweLowe is the Founder & Principal of Aneres Strategies, a consulting enterprise specializing in government relations and commercial planning strategies. Serena currently assists several national disability organizations (including the National Disability Institute and TASH) in elevating their presence in the federal policy arena and actively engaging key disability stakeholders in the federal legislative and policymaking process.

For the past twelve years, Lowe has served as a consultant to over 35 national nonprofit and corporate entities in the areas of public policy, advocacy, coalition building, strategic planning, and organizational development. Serena has remained actively engaged in the disability policy community for the past twelve years, which is evidenced most recently by her leadership of the Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD), which she cofounded in early 2007. The CPSD is a coalition of 13 national disability organizations committed to promoting high-impact public policy reform aimed at empowering adults living with significant disabilities by providing opportunities and eliminating barriers to achieving meaningful engagement in the areas of employment, economic self-sufficiency, education, social interaction, and community engagement.

Serena possesses keen expertise in the development and execution of dynamic public policy strategies targeted at driving greater access to quality health care and empowering individuals living with chronic, disabling conditions to lead productive lives filled with opportunity and choice. She spent five years as vice president of B&D Consulting LLC, a government relations consulting firm in Washington D.C. She has worked closely with the leadership of the U.S. Department of Education, Health & Human Services, and Labor. Serena also spent three years on Capitol Hill, where she was responsible for working on public policy issues related to

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agriculture and rural development, housing, Medicaid/Medicare reform, public health, taxation, transportation, and welfare. Having served as the senior legislative assistant to U.S. Representative Ed Bryant and later as a legislative & appropriations advisor to U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO), Serena has extensive appropriations & regulatory expertise related to an array of policy areas impacting the elderly, the uninsured, and people with disabilities.

Serena earned a B.A. in International Health & Public Affairs from Westminster College (Fulton, MO) in 1997; an M.P.H. in International Health Policy and M.A. in International Development from George Washington University (Washington DC) in 2002; and is currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science at American University’s School of Public Affairs in Washington DC.

Richard G. Luecking, Ed.DDr Luecking is President of TransCen, a position he has held since 1987 when he was charged by the Board of Directors as the organization’s first employee to create improved linkages between schools, service providing agencies, government, business, and families so that youth with disabilities experience improved post-school employment outcomes. During his tenure with the organization he has designed and directed multiple research and demonstration projects that address school to work transition and employment services for people with disabilities. He was an original consultant in the development of the Bridges…from school to work program of the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities, which has since been replicated and established in several national locations with the help of TransCen.

Dr. Luecking maintains active participation in numerous local, state, national, and international initiatives, including serving on local and state workforce investment boards, on the Boards of the National Organization on Disability and the APSE Foundation, and as an advisor to several national research studies on transition and employment. He is currently a Fulbright Specialist collaborating on an international exchange program with the State University of Rio de Janeiro to train education and rehabilitation professionals in Brazil. He has also served as a policy advisor in the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor under special appointments.

Dr. Luecking is the author of numerous trade and academic publications on topics related to employment of people with disabilities, business partnerships, school-to-work transition, and career development, including his latest book, The way to work: How to facilitate work experiences for youth in transition.

Michael MorrisMichael Morris is the Director of the National Disability Institute (NDI) in Washington, DC. He also serves as the CEO of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University. Morris has over 30 years of experience in and outside of government pioneering new strategies to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Morris serves as an advisor and technical expert to multiple federal agencies on policy and systems relationships at federal, state, and local levels to advance economic stability, mobility, and asset development for persons with disabilities.

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Morris received his undergraduate degree with honors in political science from Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio and his law degree from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1981, he was named the first Joseph P. Kennedy Fellow in Public Policy and came to Washington, DC to work in the Office of Connecticut Senator Lowell Weicker, as legal counsel to the United States Senate Subcommittee on the Handicapped. Morris also served subsequently as counsel to the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee.

From Capitol Hill, Morris went to work at United Cerebral Palsy Associations first as Director of Government Relations, then as Director of Community Services, and finally as National Executive Director. During his 14-year tenure, his leadership put a focus on needed assistive technology and its essential role in accommodating people with disabilities in the areas of employment, education, communications and daily living.

In 2001, Morris helped establish the National Disability Institute to advance the social and economic independence of persons with disabilities through strategic investment and technical assistance activities nationwide that bring together government, corporations, foundations, and community and faith-based organizations. He is the co-founder of the Real Economic Impact Tour.

VI. DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

The schedule of deliverables for each task and subtask is presented in the table below which includes the number, description, and end date for each task and subtask.

Task PWS Para Deliverable Date Due

# of Copies

Medium /Format Submit To

Task 1 1.2.1 Work breakdown structure or Work Plan November 10, 2011 2 Accessible

formatCOTR, FPM

Task 1 1.2.1. Reports Monthly 2 Accessible format

COTR,format FPM

Task 1 1.2.1 Invoices Monthly 1 Accessible format

COTR,FPM

Task 1 1.2.1.3 Identify SMEsNo later than 30 days following ODEP’s approval of the Work Plan

1 Accessible format COTR

Task 1 1.2.1.4 Initiate kick off meeting October 13, 20111 Face-to-face

meeting COTR

Task 21.2.2.1 and 1.2.2.2

Policy Mapping Project, Action Plan and 5 policy products

Per dates specified below 1 Accessible format COTR

Task 2 1.2.2.3Draft Federal Mapped Material and recommendations

No later than 60 days following ODEP’s approval of the Work Plan


Task 2 1.2.2.4 Final Draft Mapped MaterialNo later than 10 days following ODEP’s feedback on the draft material


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Task 31.2.3.1 and 1.2.3.2

Draft State Policy Mapping Project and Strategic Planning Framework



Task 3 1.2.3.3 Submit Final Draft MaterialNo later than 10 days following ODEP’s feedback on the draft material


Task 4 1.2.4.1 Training and Technical Assistance Material

No later than 90 days following ODEP’s approval of the mapped material

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 4 1.2.4.2 Final technical assistance material

No later than 10 days following ODEP’s feedback on the draft additional material

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 4 1.2.4.4 Establish a community of practice

No later than 30 days following the initiation of the EFLSMP

1 ePolicy Works

Task 5 1.2.5.1Outline for the Employment First Leadership State Mentor Program


1Accessible

format COTR

Task 5 1.2.5.2 Draft EFSLMP program

No later than 30 days following ODEP’s approval of the additional training and technical assistance material.

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 5 1.2.5.3

Final draft of the Employment First Leadership State Mentor Program

No later than 10 days following ODEP’s feedback on the draft program.

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 6 1.2.6.2Draft guidelines for the mentor state selection process.



Task 6 1.2.6.3 Final guidelines for the mentor state selection process

No later than 10 days following ODEP’s feedback on the draft mentor state selection process.

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 6 1.2.6.4 List of 6 proposed mentor state candidates

No later than 30 days following ODEP’s approval of the leadership mentor state selection guidelines.

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 6 1.2.6.5Choose 3 of the six qualified states to participate as protégés

No later than 5 days following ODEP’s approval of the 6 proposed protégé states

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 6 1.2.6.6 Notify 3 chosen leadership mentor states

No later than 30 days following ODEP’s approval of 3 proposed leadership mentor states.

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 7 1.2.7.1Draft guidelines for the protégé state application and selection process

No later than 30 days following ODEP’s approval of the Work Plan.

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 7 1.2.7.2Final guidelines for the protégé state application and selection process

No later than 10 days following ODEP’s feedback on the draft selection process

1Accessible

format COTR

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Task 7 1.2.7.3Solicit applications from states interested in becoming protégé states in the EFLSMP

No later than 30 days after the approval of the protégé state application and selection process.

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 7 1.2.7.4 Notify 3 selected protégé states

No later than 30 days following ODEP’s approval of the proposed protégé states.

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 8 1.2.8.1 Convene initial mentor-protégé kickoff meeting

No later than 30 days after selection of mentor-protégé states

1TBD COTR

Task 8 1.2.8.2 Provide All Kickoff Meeting Materials

Within (5) days of the contract award.

TBD Accessible format COTR

Task 8 1.2.8.3

Provide travel, lodging and per-diem for Kickoff meeting for state participants and SMEs.

No Later Than 2 weeks following the meeting.

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 8 1.2.8.4 Implement Program and metrics

No later than 10 days following the introduction and kickoff meeting.

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 9 1.2.9.3 Progress reports on technical assistance plans

Within 5 days of the end of the calendar month.


Task 10 1.2.10. 1

Provide name of the recommended SME for content manager and forum moderator

No later than 15 days following the approval of the final Work Plan.

1Accessible

format COTR

Task 10 1.2.10.2

Make use of ODEP’s ePolicy Works virtual workspace to facilitate mentor-protégé relationships

No later than 30 days following the initiation of the EFLSMP. 1 Accessible

format COTR

Task 10 1.2.10.3 Draft Progress Database No later than 30 days following the approval of the EFLSMP 1 Accessible

format COTR

Task 10 1.2.10.4 Final Progress Database No later than 10 days following additional feedback from ODEP 1 Accessible

format COTR

Task 10 1.2.10.6 Outline and Timeline for Final Report

Within 10 days of ODEP’s approval of the Work plan 1 Accessible

format COTR

Task 10 1.2.10.7 Submit Draft Final report No later than August13, 2012 1 Accessible format COTR

Task 10 1.2.10.8 Submit Final Report No later than September 20, 2012 1 Accessible format COTR

Task 11 1.2.11 Participate in one Congressional briefing To occur during the 4th quarter.

1TBD COTR

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