“Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Waivers provide states with flexibility to test new approaches within Medicaid to aid in redesigning and improving their health systems without increasing costs.
Alaska’s 1115 Waiver
In January 2018, Alaska applied to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval of an 1115 behavioral health waiver that would create a data-driven, integrated behavioral health system of care for Alaskans experiencing serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, substance use disorder (SUD), co-occurring substance use and mental illness, and at-risk families and children.”
“United Way of Anchorage (UWA) was awarded a statewide 2019 CMS Navigator Cooperative Agreement serving “Left behind” population that is disproportionately without access to coverage or care and may lack knowledge about affordable options. Including, but not limited to—re-entry population, the unemployed, hourly wage workers, seasonal workers (i.e.: commercial fishers), variable income workers and low-income families with children, immigrants, young adults, and university students. There are no Sub-awardee/Subrecipient Contracted Organizations.. They will partner with Alaska Primary Care Association, Community health centers, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Mat-Su Health Services, Aging and Disability Resource Center, Alaska Division of Public Assistance, Anchorage Project Access, and Alaska 2-1-1.”
Alaska Proclamation: Alaska Employ People with Disabilities Week
“WHEREAS, Alaska Statute recognizes the first full week of October as Alaska Employ People with Disabilities Week to celebrate and foster the integration of Alaskans with disabilities into our state’s workforce…
WHEREAS, Alaska is an Employment First State, and our State agencies prioritize competitive and assimilated employment for Alaskans. The State is committed to being a model employer by attracting qualified individuals with disabilities to contribute their knowledge and talents as public employees…
NOW THEREFORE, I, Michael J. Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim October 6 – 12, 2019 as: Alaska Employ People with Disabilities Week.”
“The Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (AKDVR), as part of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), is responsible for the administration and operation of Alaska’s public vocational rehabilitation program. While AKDVR continually assesses its performance and the needs of Alaskans with disabilities, the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, Public Law 99-506 Section 101(a), requires each state vocational rehabilitation agency conduct a comprehensive statewide needs assessment (CSNA) jointly with the Statewide Vocational Rehabilitation Committee (SVRC) triennially. The results of the CSNA are used to develop goals, priorities, strategies, and actions for both AKDVR’s Strategic and Combined State Plans.
In order to meet the requirements of 34 CFR §361.29, the CSNA must address the following:
What are the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities residing in Alaska, particularly the vocational rehabilitation services needs of:
Individuals with the most significant disabilities, including their need for supported employment services;
Individuals with disabilities who are minorities and individuals with disabilities who have been unserved or underserved by the vocational rehabilitation program;
Individuals with disabilities served through other components of the statewide workforce development system as identified by those individuals and personnel assisting those individuals through the components of the system and;
Youth with disabilities, and students with disabilities, including;
Their needs for pre-employment transition services or other transition services; and
An assessment of the needs of individuals with disabilities for transition services and pre-employment transition services, and the extent to which such services provided are coordinated with transition services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in order to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.
An assessment of the need to establish, develop, or improve community rehabilitation programs (CRPs) within the state.”
Governor’s Council on Disabilities & Special Education (GCDSE): Annual Update Oct 2018 – Sept 2019: Creating change that improves the lives of Alaskans with disabilities
“Alaskans share a vision of a flexible system in which each person directs their own supports, based on their strengths and abilities, toward a meaningful life in their home, their job and their community. Our vision includes supported families, professional staff, and services available throughout the state now and into the future.
The Council is now in the 4th year of its 5-Year State Plan
GOAL # 1 – Community Inclusion, Supports, and Services: Improve service delivery to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs) to live and thrive in their communities with formal and informal supports and services that promote independence.
GOAL # 2 – Employment: Alaskans with disabilities and their families will receive the necessary employment services and supports needed to become competitively employed in an integrated setting…”
Employer Engagement Efforts
The Council continues to lead the Business Employment Services Team (BEST) which is a collaboration between the Departments of Health and Social Services and Labor and Workforce Development with the mission of meeting the workforce needs of Alaska businesses and improve hiring outcomes for individuals with disabilities and veterans.”
“This Guidance for Special Education Personnel is a guide for special education directors working in Alaska; its purpose is to clarify requirements for the operation of district special education programs. This is not a regulatory document.“
Alaska Department of Vocational Rehabilitation “Resources for Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs)”
“Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs) are agencies or individuals that are approved to provide employment support to individuals with disabilities served by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.”
This page contains resources on how to apply to become a CRP.
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce, Vocational Rehabilitation “Program Steps”
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce, Vocation Rehabilitation provides an overview of steps to approaching employment. Steps include:
“1. Identify your job goal and plan the services you need: You and your counselor decide on a job goal that makes sense for your disability. It should also make sense based on what job openings there are. DVR can help you find your talents and interests. We can also help you search the job market. You and your counselor talk about the employment problems that bring you to DVR. Together you decide what services you need to get a job.
2. Write a plan for employment: You must have a written plan to get the services you need. We call it your individualized plan for employment (IPE). Your counselor can help you with this. It describes the steps you will take to meet your work goal.
3. Complete the IPE: You can start getting the help you need after you and your counselor agree to your plan. How long it takes you to complete the plan depends on you and your needs.”
Alaska Department of Labor offers a priority of service and benefits to veterans, and eligible spouses or caregivers, seeking employment, apprenticeship opportunities, and on-the-job training programs that pay veterans while they prepare for a sustainable career. Eligibility for these services:
Veterans who served at least one day in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable,; special disabled veterans who have significant barriers to employment, as well as eligible spouses and caregivers, are eligible for specialized intensive services to obtain or retain employment.
Veteran Services
Examples of priority of service for veterans are described by linking to the website.”
