Illinois Employment Resources for Job Seekers (2017)
“Looking for a job does not have to be a solo project. Job seekers can get help from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Many people refer to IDES as the “unemployment agency.” But IDES offers much more than unemployment insurance services. We are committed to helping people find suitable employment. The reason is simple: When the people of Illinois work, the Illinois economy works.
The IDES mission also includes publication of reliable, high quality data on employment and occupational trends. This information can help people make more informed career and business decisions.”
“Purpose:
This Information Bulletin informs Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) stakeholders of changes to the Person-Centered Planning process.
Background:
Person-centered planning using conflict-of-interest-free case management is a requirement for people receiving Medicaid waiver services. In 2017, Illinois transitioned the responsibility of writing the Personal Plan to Independent Service Coordinators (ISCs) which had previously been the responsibility of service providers. Service providers are responsible for writing Implementation Strategies which reflect what is written in the Personal Plan. In the spring of 2021, the DDD within the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) contracted with the Institute on Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) to evaluate the person-centered planning process and make recommendations to improve the process for all stakeholders.
Person-Centered Planning Process:
The person-centered planning (PCP) process uses a Discovery Process to develop a person-centered plan (Personal Plan). The Discovery Process and development of the Personal Plan are to be completed by the ISCs. The service providers then use the Personal Plan to develop the Implementation Strategy. The process is directed by the individual, with assistance as needed or desired from a representative of the individual’s choosing. It is intended to identify the strengths, capacities, preferences, needs, and desired measurable outcomes of the individual. The process may include others, freely chosen by the individual, who are able to serve as important contributors to the process. The PCP process empowers the individual by building on their specific abilities and skills, building a quality lifestyle that supports the individual to find ways to contribute to the community. The planning process must also include planning for contingencies such as when a needed service is not provided due to the support worker being out sick. The back-up plan must become a part of the individual’s Personal Plan.”
“In 2014, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services funded a national initiative called, Transforming Lives through Supported Employment (SM-14-011). The purpose of this program is to enhance state capacity to expand evidence-based supported employment programs for adults with mental illnesses. Supported employment provides participants with opportunities to contribute to their communities through competitive employment. Research shows that supported employment helps people achieve and sustain mental health recovery.
As a participating state, Illinois has been called upon to expand supported employment services throughout the state, while increasing competitive employment among people in mental health recovery. To achieve these goals, Illinois is expanding its use of an evidence-based model called Individual Placement and Support or IPS. In multiple rigorous studies, IPS has proven successful in helping people with mental illnesses become and stay employed, through a combination of vocational, clinical, and peer supports. Two robust IPS programs are serving as evaluation sites for this CMHS-funded initiative in Illinois: Thresholds Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centers and Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Incorporated (see Illinois Project Sites to learn more).”
Illinois Specialized Services for Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired
“Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education – Wood
ICRE-Wood provides a concentrated, short-term residential or commuter program for adults who are blind, DeafBlind, or visually impaired. The program includes courses in mobility, communication which includes Braille, keyboarding technology and activities of daily living. Throughout their stay customers work closely with ICRE-Wood’s professional staff to develop their vocational goals emphasizing obtaining and maintaining employment. Commuter and residential services are available.
Business Enterprise Program
The BEPB provides business ownership opportunities for legally blind, visually impaired and DeafBlind entrepreneurs in vending, retail and food service. Business locations are in federal, state and public buildings statewide. This is the only program in the state that trains an individual and provides business self employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Vocational Rehabilitation Program
BBS staff serves low vision (20/60) and blind individuals with employment goals according to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to achieve education, update job skills to maintain employment, job search, job interviews, counseling, communication skills, Orientation and Mobility and Independent Living skills to be successful in the competitive employment market.”
Illinois Task Force on Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities (EEOPD)
“The EEOPD Taskforce was established in 2009 via Legislation (PA 96-368). It includes10 Designated State Agencies: Governor’s Office, Education (ISBE, CCO, IBHE), DCEO, Health and Human Services, Divisions of: Vocational Rehabilitation, Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health, DD Council, IDES, Veterans Affairs.
The EEOPD also includes 15 Public Members that are appointed by the Governor’s Office (at least 5 who have a disability) to serve on the Taskforce. This diverse stakeholder group is comprised of representatives from the following sectors:
Statewide disability organizations,
Agency with expertise in assistive technology devices,
Advocates for veterans with disabilities,
Centers for independent living & disability services providers,
Organized labor,
Higher education,
Private sector business community,
Current Section 14 (c) certificate holders, and
Entities that provide employment and training services to persons with disabilities.
Several workgroups exist within the EEOPD Taskforce. The workgroups, which support action steps aligned with the Employment First Strategic plan are: Provider, Transitions, Employer Engagement, Legislation and Workforce Development.
“The Illinois Workforce Innovation Board announces the release of the 2018 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Career Pathways Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). With an emphasis on the needs of young people who are not in school and not working, coined Opportunity Youth, this funding opportunity is intended to support effective career pathway practices distilled by the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board. These practices will have a positive impact on the careers of Illinois’ youth while creating a framework for long term, sustainable capacity building in delivery of those practices throughout the state.
Program Goal
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in conjunction with the Core WIOA Partners – Illinois Community College Board, Illinois Department of Employment Security, and Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services, will award grants for projects that address priorities identified in the State of Illinois Unified Plan and incorporate the practices identified as effective career pathway program criteria by the Illinois Workforce Investment Board’s (IWIB) Youth Committee. Successful pilot projects will integrate workforce, education and economic development services; break down barriers to accessing job-driven training resulting in employment opportunities; and assist in the effective and efficient implementation of WIOA regulations within Illinois’ economic development regions.”
“The IL Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is seeking to amend current 1915(C) waivers to provide for statewide expansion of its mandatory managed care delivery system to all of Illinois’ 102 counties. Illinois’ mandatory managed care program, now called HealthChoice Illinois, will operate statewide offering providers the opportunity to contract with five managed care plans in all Illinois counties; seven managed care plans will be available in Cook County…”
Illinois DHS Person Centered Planning Policy and Guidelines for DD Waiver Services
“Federal Home and Community Based Services Regulations
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Regulations on January 16, 2014. These Regulations became effective on March 17, 2014 and impact all 1915c HCBS Waivers. In Illinois, this is relevant to all three Developmental Disability (DD) HCBS Medicaid Waivers: Children’s In Home Support Waiver, Children’s Residential Waiver, and the Adult Waiver. The Regulations include Conflict of Interest Free Case Management and Person Centered Planning. These regulations, as outlined below, apply to people who are in any of the Medicaid Waivers programs listed above.”
Illinois Consumer Handbook for Home-Based Services, Children’s and Adult Medicaid Waivers
“Supported Employment
Supported Employment services (SEP) consist of intensive, ongoing supports that enable you to find and gain competitive employment, at or above the minimum wage, if you would be unable to achieve that without supports.
Generally conducted in a variety of settings, particularly work sites where persons without disabilities are employed.
SEP also includes ongoing supports you may need with accommodations, conflict resolution or problem-solving on the job, to successfully maintain employment.
The fee for this service will come from your monthly budget.”
Consumer Handbook for Home-Based Services, Children’s and Adult Medicaid Waivers ‘Person Centered Planning’
~~‘This is a process that outlines what is important to a person and what is important for a person. It is a way to record a person's strengths, needs, desires as well as risk. Person Centered Planning has three main parts: the Discovery Tool, the Personal Plan and the Implementation Strategy. For more information on the Person Centered Planning process, see Appendix C.
Your ISC agent will contact you regarding the Person Centered Planning process. By June 30, 2018, this process and documents will replace the Individual Service Plan (ISP). Between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018, all people in a DDD Waiver Service will participate in Person Centered Planning.
NOTE: Prior to July 1, 2017, if you were already in the Home-Based Waiver, your services were identified in an Individual Service Plan (ISP). An ISP was developed at an annual meeting where needs and services were documented by your service provider and approved by you. Your ISC was invited to attend that meeting. If you have a current ISP in place, your participation in the new Person Centered Planning process will begin before your next annual meeting date, but no later than June 30, 2018. If you are new to the Home-Based Waiver after July 1, 2017, you will participate in the new Person Centered Planning process before services begin.’
