In July 2009, the Disability Services Division (DSD) of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) was restructured under the Medicaid and Health Services Branch of DPHHS. In January 2010, the name was changed to Developmental Services Division.
The Montana Disability Services Division joined the State Employment Leadership Network (SELN) in 2011, since then it has worked to address concerns reflected in the State Strategic Employment Assessment. Building a focused state workplan through key stakeholder input is reflective of the Division’s strong interest in improving employment statewide, across both urban and rural settings.
The Division continues to engage self-advocates and families in planning efforts. This is helping to create strong external pressures and demands for increasing integrated employment opportunities and the expectation of work, regardless of disability.
Montana National Federation of the Blind Resolution (2013)
RESOLUTION 2013-01 Calling for the Removal of Section 511 of the Workforce investment Act of 2013
“WHEREAS, Section 511 links the Rehabilitation Act, which was established to assist people with disabilities in obtaining competitive integrated employment, with Section 14(C) of the FLSA, which is based on the false premise that people with disabilities cannot be competitively employed and therefore can be paid subminimum wages; and
WHEREAS, The language of Section 511 is only contained in the Senate version of the bill, S. 1356, and not in the House version: NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Montana in convention assembled this Twenty-seventh Day of October, 2013, in the city of Billings, Montana, that this organization calls on its United States Senators, The Honorable Max Baucus and The Honorable Jon Tester, to support fair wages for all American workers by actively working for the removal of > Title V, Section 511 from S. 1356 before its passage by the United States Senate, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call on our entire Montana Congressional Delegation to cosponsor the Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act of 2013.”
The vision of the Montana Center for Inclusive Education (MCIE) is creation of a fully inclusive society that values diversity. The mission supporting this vision states that MCIE serves the diverse population of Montana and provides continuing professional development opportunities for educators and direct service providers. MCIE also provides grant management and fiscal management for the Montana State University Billings (MSUB) College of Education’s externally funded projects.
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project
The Montana State University Billings Montana Center for Inclusive Education WIPA project has been awarded a grant as part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act that was established in 1999. The goal of the WIPA project is to help Social Security Disability beneficiaries understand and utilize employment supports and work incentives so they can achieve their employment and vocational goals. The Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC)
•Provides effective work incentives planning and assistance services to Social Security beneficiaries.
•Promotes and supports employment outcomes for Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities.
•Partners with community agencies and conducts community outreach.
•Understands Social Security Disability benefits programs as well as other federal/state/local programs for which beneficiaries might be eligible.
•Provides healthcare planning and counseling.
•The project utilizes community networks such as Vocational Rehabilitation, and Montana Offices of Public Assistance to help in the identification of individuals with disabilities that could benefit from receiving this information. The CWIC provides statewide coverage in local areas either electronically or in person.
CMS has issued regulations that define the settings in which it is permissible for states to pay for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that individuals receive Medicaid HCBS in settings that are integrated in, and support full access to, the greater community. This includes opportunities to engage in community life, control personal resources, receive services in the community, and, when appropriate, seek employment and work in competitive and integrated settings to the same degree as individuals who do not receive HCBS…
To assist states in making this transition, CMS has published guidance to provide further information about settings in which HCBS may or may not be allowed. States will be allowed a maximum of five years to make the transition and must submit a transition plan to CMS within one year of the effective date of the rule.
“HELP-Link is a free workforce program that connects Medicaid enrollees with high quality workforce training, employment services, and job openings in local communities. HELP-Link is a voluntary workforce program specifically designed to assist individuals participating in the Montana HELP Plan (also known as Medicaid Expansion) in order to improve their employment and wage outcomes.”
MT DHHS “Employing People with Disabilities” Self-Assessment Tool
Using this self-assessment tool, Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana encourages the employers in his state to self-assess how “friendly” their business is to people with disabilities and encourages them to explore the potential of workers with disabilities.
Montana National Federation of the Blind Resolution… Integrated Employment (2015)
Resolution 2015-02 Regarding Competitive Integrated Employment in Montana
“WHEREAS The National Federation of the Blind of Montana believes that the blind and other people with disabilities can and should work in their communities for livable wages; and,
WHEREAS Montana and the nation far too frequently pipeline workers with disabilities into sheltered, crew, or sub-minimum wage jobs, rather than into competitive integrated employment; and,
WHEREAS The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) requires that state vocational rehabilitation agencies support work in the community for minimum or higher wages: NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Montana in convention assembled on this Eleventh Day of October, 2015, in the city of Great Falls, Montana that this organization call upon the Disability Employment and Transitions Division (DET) of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to assure quality Vocational Rehabilitation Services grounded in high expectations for workers with > disabilities by championing the cause of competitive integrated employment for all, and by dropping support of any kind for segregated sub-minimum wage employment for workers with disabilities.”
Tips for Workers with Disabilities starting on page 41 this publication has information on reasonable accommodation, disclosing a disability, what questions cannot be asked by an employer and resources that are available to persons with disabilities. “Montana Vocational Rehabilitation Services (MVR) helps Montanans with disabilities prepare for, obtain, retain, and advance in the same high-quality jobs and high-demand careers as persons without disabilities.”
Montana values people with disabilities in our workforce and our communities.
Mission
Montana Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services promotes opportunities for Montanans with disabilities to have rewarding careers and achieve maximum personal potential.
Core Values
We value informed choice; our staff guide, and the people we serve decide.
We presume all people with disabilities, including those with the most significant disabilities, can work in competitive integrated settings with advancement opportunities.
We believe work provides a sense of purpose.
Our services promote the civil rights of each participant.
We are committed to fiscal responsibility and believe investing in workers with disabilities strengthens Montana’s workforce and boosts our economy.
We value our ethical foundations of autonomy, beneficence, fidelity, justice, non-maleficence, and veracity.
We promote healthy interdependence, independent living, and community integration.
Collaborating with partners makes us stronger and more effective.
We continually innovate and provide state of the art services.”
