orlando july 12-13, 2012. overview of the vocational rehabilitation program in florida a...
TRANSCRIPT
2012 Florida Partners In Crisis
Annual Conference Orlando
July 12-13, 2012
Overview of the Vocational Rehabilitation
Program in Florida
A Federal/State Partnership with USDOE/RSA
To Assist Individuals with Disabilities with
Employment
1918 – The Soldiers Rehabilitation Act
Supplemented traditional pension given to soldiers with a disability with vocational rehabilitation where employment was “feasible”
1920 – Smith-Fess Act Extended vocational rehabilitation
to civilians
1935 – Social Security Act Established vocational rehabilitation as a permanent program
1973 – Rehabilitation Act
Right to participate in planning a rehabilitation program Choice
It is the mission of the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to help
individuals with disabilities achieve gainful employment
and the highest level of independence
A person with a physical or mental impediment
Has a record of such impediment
Or is regarded as having one
Americans with Disabilities Act
A disability is defined by the ADA as a physical or mental impairment of a person that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as…
Walking Talking Eating Breathing
Seeing Hearing Learning
Psychological Functioning, etc…
Clear, strong, consistent, enforceable standards addressing discrimination by reinstating a broad scope of protection under ADA
The term “disability” must now be construed in favor of broad coverage of employees “to the maximum extend permitted
“Major life activity” –Major bodily functions
ADA Amendments Updates
The individual requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, obtain, retain, or regain employment.
Receiving Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income and intend to become employed.
An eligibility decision should be made within 60 days after you apply for services.
Speech and Language Therapy
On-Site Job/Task Analysis
Training and Education After High School
Medical and Psychological Diagnosis and Treatment
Vocational Evaluation
Career Planning
Job Placement
Counseling and Guidance
Assessment of Technology Needs
Job Coaching
Mental Illnesses In The Workplace
28 million workers in the U.S. workforce experience a mental or substance use disorder:
#1 Alcohol abuse/dependence #2 Major depression #3 Social phobia, an anxiety disorder
Hertz, Rob P. PhD and Christine Baker,
“The Impact of Mental Disorders on Work,” June 2002
Stigma is the aura of shame and blame
It is a barrier to well-being and a full life
It holds applicants back
Deters people from seeking help
May cause discomfort for returning employees
#1 Reason People Don’t Seek Treatment Is Stigma
Stigma is not just the use of the wrong word or action
Stigma is a barrier and discourages individuals and their families from getting the help they need due to fear of being discriminated against
Many people would rather tell employers they have committed a petty crime and were in jail than admit to being in a psychiatric hospital
Were You Aware….
Nearly half of the population associate mental illness with violence
57% believe that mental illnesses can not be diagnosed as accurately as physical illnesses
Many peers think that mental illness is a poor excuse for bad behavior
38% unwilling to be friends with a person having a mental health problem
64% unwilling to have a person with schizophrenia as a co-worker
What People Believe….
People with mental illnesses can’t hold jobs
Media often ridicules mental illnesses and portrays them as depressed and dangerous
Horrific events are covered by the media, whereas, stories of hope and recovery are not
Myths
So How Does EmploymentRelate to All This?
A sense of purpose A sense of pride A sense of belonging Valuable social interaction Role Recovery work is so integral to one’s self-worth, finding and belonging to a mental health-friendly workplace is of great significance to people who have experienced mental illnesses
Employment Brings…
New EEOC Rules on Criminal Histories May Affect Small-Business Hiring
Many small businesses had no idea there was anything wrong with a blanket ban on hiring anybody with a criminal record
In April, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) signaled a crackdown on employers that use criminal histories to discriminate against job applicants illegally. But to judge from conversations with business owners, labor lawyers, and human resources consultants, many small businesses had no idea there was anything wrong with practices like a blanket ban on hiring anybody with a criminal record. The notion that using criminal records in employment decisions could constitute discrimination has been government policy since at least the 1970s. The EEOC has in the past issued policy statements about how employers may use criminal records without running afoul of the Civil Rights Act, but in April the agency published new enforcement guidance. Though the underlying theory appears unchanged, labor lawyers say the new policy requires companies to establish procedures to show they are not using criminal records to discriminate by race or national origin
On-The-Job Training
What is On-the-J ob Training (OJ T)?
Making the Match
Purpose of the Ticket to Work & Self-Sufficiency Program
To expand the employment opportunities for most individuals receiving SSDI and/or SSI benefits.
Reduce their dependency on SSA
The Need for Ticket to Work
Less than 1% of SSDI and SSI beneficiaries attain paid employment enabling them to be self-sufficient
One-third of the people who leave the rolls return in 3 years
If one half of one percent of those individuals were to attain self-supporting employment, savings would total $3.5 billion
Mission and Objectives
Address barriers that beneficiaries encounter when obtaining/returning to work
Expand availability of health care services and medical coverage
Eliminate work disincentives Provide enhanced benefits planning and
assistance from service providers
Goals of Ticket to Work To expand the number of service providers
who are available to serve beneficiaries. Increase the number of beneficiaries
entering the work force. Reduce dependency on cash benefits.
Key Program Players Social Security Administration (SSA) Beneficiaries MAXIMUS Employment Networks (ENs) State VR Agencies Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
(WIPA) Disability Rights Florida
Social Security Administration (SSA) Designated by Congress to oversee the
implementation of the Ticket to Work Program
Responsible for writing the Regulations for the TTWP
Monitoring the success/short-comings of the TTWP
Determining which beneficiaries will receive tickets
Has final say on all decisions
Employment Networks (EN) Organizations or groups of organizations
that have come together to provide necessary services to a beneficiary in support of an employment goal
Recruited by MAXIMUS; approved by SSA
MAXIMUS Responsible for
overseeing the administration/day-to-day functions of the TTWP
Maintain list of available ENs
Ensure all information is in accessible format to beneficiaries
Resolve payment issues
Monitor ENs to ensure adequate choices are available to beneficiaries
Ensure EN services are available to beneficiaries in all geographical areas
Disability Rights Florida(Formerly known as Protection and Advocacy Center (P & A) SSA funds P & A services, an advocacy and
protection program dedicated to beneficiaries of Social Security.
Ticket beneficiaries must contact this program for rights and remedies under the Ticket Program.
* Between Ages 18 to 64 * Receiving Social Security Disability
Benefits (SSI or SSDI) * Completed a Medical Review by SSA
Who is Eligible to Participate?
What is a Ticket?
Ticket to Work Brochure
* Once you are eligible, contact MAXIMUS for information regarding the Program
* Select an Employment Network with which to receive services
* Activate your Ticket by signing a Plan of Employment
* Once you are working take advantage of Ongoing Support Services to help you stabilize in employment
How Does The Program Work?
WORK INCENTIVES
PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE
SERVICES
WIPA SERVICES
Preliminary Consultation (Information & Referral)
Benefits Summary and Analysis Work Incentives Analysis and Plan Optional Services as required
WIPA Services
Preliminary Consultation (Information and Referral)
This service is offered to eligible DVR consumers early
in the rehabilitation process and may be provided to consumers at Referral or Application Statuses.
DVR Orientations and Initial Interviews will be revised to include basic information concerning the impact of working on SSA benefits and a general review of the Work Incentives available to Ticket-holders.
WIPA Services (continued)
Benefits Summary & Analysis (BS&A) This service is for consumers in Plan Development to Service
statuses or beyond and includes verification of benefits through the Benefits Planning Query (BPQY), gathering information about benefits from all relevant sources, such as SSA, Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, subsidized housing, etc., and conducting a detailed, in-person intake interview with the consumer to begin to analyze which work incentives could apply to their situation and the impact considering various scenarios (i.e., not working, working part-time and working full-time).
WIPA Services (continued)Work Incentives Analysis & Plan (WIAP)
This service is for individuals in Plan Development to Service statuses and beyond and have an offer of employment in a specific job or are working already, and will be working more than 10 hours a week. It includes verification of benefits (BPQY), gathering information about benefits from all relevant sources, such as SSA, Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, subsidized housing, etc., and conducting a detailed, in person intake interview with the consumer to begin to analyze which work incentives could apply to their situation.
OPTIONAL WIPA SERVICES Assisting a consumer with establishing
an IRWE (Impairment Related Work Expense)
Assisting a consumer with establishing an Employer Subsidy.
Assisting a consumer with resolution of a specific benefits issue, e.g., overpayment
Assisting with the development of a Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)
Register with the My Florida MarketPlace (MFMP)Statewide electronic procurement system at:
https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/
This online registration must take place prior to DVR’s Standard Vendor Application process being finalized
http://www.rehabworks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=SubMain.Vendors
A vendor is a person or business that works with peoplewho have physical or mental disabilities to prepare for, gainor retain employment by providing training opportunities
How do I become a vendor websites
Provide Information for the Monthly Progress Report
The provider is contractually responsible for
the development and submission of the OJT
Agreement
Track and report OJT Participant’s training hours
Report progress of OJT Participant’s on learning the various components of the job
Identify any Training Strategies to address Challenges
On-The-Job Training & The Employer
Participant Payment & Employer Reimbursement
OJT Participant is paid by the Employer
Reimbursement to the Employer occurs one time
per month based on number of hours recorded on
the Monthly Training Progress Report multiplied by
the total hourly rate on the approved OJT Agreement
On-The-Job Training & The Employer
A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION
“PARTNERSHIP PLUS”
TICKET TO WORK PROVIDES
MORE OPTIONS FOR THE TICKET-HOLDER
If VR provides services, helps the Ticket-holder get a job and closes the case, the Ticket-holder’s Ticket still has value!
Even if the Ticket-holder is working, the Ticket-holder can be referred to an EN for additional services.
PARTNERSHIP PLUS
Provide Beneficiaries with Other Service Provider Options
Ensure Seamless Sequential Services from VR and EN
Address the Need for a System of Ongoing Support
JOINING THE PARTNERSHIP
Must be an Employment Network as approved by SSA
Must be certified by DVR as a Vendor of EN Services
DVR will execute a Memorandum of Agreement with EN to initiate the partnership. Call DVR for more information and assistance – (850) 245-3341 or via website – www.rehabworks.org
PARTNERSHIP PLUSWITH FLORIDA VR
Referral of Clients for Post Employment Services
At case closure, the Division may refer consumers to an EN, who is also a qualified DVR vendor of Employment Network Services, for job-related services that will aid a consumer in achieving Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) levels of employment. SGA is achieved when a consumer is employed for nine (9) months within a twelve (12) month period and the consumer is earning, during that period of time, SGA earnings established by the SSA.
PARTNERSHIP PLUS
Payment for Services
$1000 for providing ongoing support that results in the consumer being able to achieve at least 7 months of SGA employment that will lead to 9 months of SGA employment and a valid claim for DVR to be reimbursed for the cost of its services.
FORMS AND PROCESSFOR ENS AND VR
REFERRAL FORM
MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORTS
INVOICE FOR SERVICES
SSA Ticket-Holder Cases Closed Successfully July 2010 – June 2011
Total Cases – 1301
31.6% of total – above SGA
68.4% below SGA 21.6% at 75% - 99% of SGA
28.5% at 50% - 74% of SGA18.3% at 49% or less of SGA
Successful Closures July 2010 – June 2011
Cases below 50% of SGA (238)
217 – Average Weekly Wage if working full-time would be at SGA
8 – at SGA if working 20 hours per week
PARTNERSHIP PLUS
A WIN! WIN! WIN !
Beneficiary
DVR & ENs
SSA
WOTC
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit was designed to provide atax incentive to employers
for hiring individuals with disabilities and certain target groups to help
them enter or re-enter the labor force
Federal Tax Credits
From $2,400 up to $9,600 worth of credit
www.doleta.gov/wotc
www.irs.gov/form8850
NEW
The Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, provides seamless transition for Service members, expands education and training opportunities for Veterans, and provides tax credits for employers who hire Veterans with service-connected disabilities.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Washington, DC 20420 Reviewed/Updated Date: June 11, 2012
FLORIDAGloria Harrison
Department of Economic OpportunityWOTC Program
MSC G-300 107 EAST MADISON STREET
TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-4140Phone: 850-921-3299
Email: [email protected]
Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction: IRS Code Section 190, Barrier RemovalAllows businesses an annual deduction of up to $15,000 for expenses incurred to remove physical, structural, and transportation barriers for persons with disabilities in the workplace
Tax Credits and Financial Incentives
Small Business Tax Credit: IRS Code 44, Disabled Access CreditHelps small businesses cover the cost of making their businesses accessible, up to a maximum benefit of $5,000
Tax Credits and Financial Incentives
I.R.S. Code Section 44Disabled Access Credit
Sign language interpretersReaders or materials (Braille or large print)
for employees who have visual impairments Adaptive equipment
Consulting fees
The VR Corporate Consultant works one on one with employers to assist
with disability and employment issues
ADA training and consultation
Reasonable accommodation services and information
Disability Awareness Training
Grant PhilosophyThe Able Trust's mission is to be a key leader in providing Floridians with disabilities successful opportunities for employment. One way our mission is accomplished is through the Grant Program. The goal of The Able Trust grant program is to provide funds to qualifying organizations to assist individuals with disabilities gain competitive employment of their choice in their community.The Able Trust recognizes the great diversity of people across the state of Florida and is fully committed to providing grant funding opportunities that serve different disability populations in both Florida’s urban and rural
areas.
www.abletrust.org
The Able Trust will accept proposals for review from organizations that are either governmental agencies or are currently qualified as tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c) 3 which demonstrate an interest to serve the employment needs of individuals with disabilities in the state of Florida
www.abletrust.org
The Able Trust Ability Awards
Annually recognizes small and large employers for best disability employment
practices
Award recipients receive a commendation from the Governor
CLOSING THOUGHT
Accept Difference
Value Difference
Teach Difference
Till Difference Doesn’t Make a Difference
Eladio Amores Corporate Consultant
Florida Department of Education Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation
941-359-7811
www.Fljobconnections.com
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
2002-A Old Saint Augustine Rd.
Tallahassee, FL 32301-4862
1-866-515-3692
www.rehabworks.org