NY Disability Employment Initiative Grant Abstract – Round 1

The New York State Department of Labor will utilize their DEI project as their next generation approach building upon their significant commitment to expanded services under their former Disability Program Navigator grant. Collaborative activities include leveraging over $1 million in funds to further support DEI efforts, including $900,000 from the New York State Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities. The project will also be collaborating with the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, “New York Makes Work Pay,” with plans to implement a unified case management system to minimize duplication and promote blending and braiding of diverse resources. Asset development activities include the development of expertise in work incentive and benefits planning strategies. The state will host “Asset Development Summits” for stakeholders, beneficiaries of Social Security disability programs, the banking community, and others to discuss and share resources to enhance asset development awareness. The DEI project includes the establishment of approximately 13 Employment Networks in participating workforce investment areas.

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New York Disability Employment Initiative

NY SAMHSA Employment Development Initiative (EDI) (2011)

The goal of this project was to develop an IPS guidebook used by vocational staff members who are working with consumers who have expressed a clear interest in seeking employment. The guidebook unifys clinical, rehabilitation and vocational services under one licensing entity.

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NY SAMHSA Employment Development Initiative (EDI)

New York Medicaid Infrastructure Grant

“The Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Program is authorized under Section 203 of the Ticket-to-Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act. The… grant program provides funding to states for Medicaid infrastructure development that will build supports for people with disabilities who would like to be employed. States are encouraged to use grant funding to implement and develop the optional working disabled eligibility group (Medicaid buy-in), increase the availability of statewide personal assistance services, form linkages with other state and local agencies that provide employment related supports, and create a seamless infrastructure that will maximize the employment potential of all people with disabilities.”

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New York Medicaid Infrastructure Grant

New York State Medicaid Plan

Medicaid State Plan is an official document that describes the nature and scope of a state’s Medicaid program. Each state develops its own Plan, as required under Section 1902 of the Social Security Act (Act), which is then approved by the federal Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). Any changes or amendments to the Plan are similarly developed by the state and approved by DHHS. Each state administers its own Plan and, in doing so, agrees to conform to the requirements of the Act and all other applicable federal statutes and regulations related to the Medicaid program.

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New York State Medicaid Plan

New York OPWDD Understanding Person Centered Planning

“Person centered planning is the first step towards ensuring the delivery of person centered supports. Person centered planning promotes the belief that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are people first. They have valuable gifts and contributions to bring to relationships with family and friends, and the community as a whole. Person centered planning views the entire person; not just the portion of the person that has identified needs. In simple terms, person centered planning is an approach to forming life plans that are centered on the individual for whom they are built.”

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New York OPWDD Understanding Person Centered Planning
New York OPWDD Person Centered Planning and Community Inclusion

New York OPWDD Employment Training and Supports

New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Employment Training and Supports

“If you are interested in finding work in your community, OPWDD wants to support you to be successful.

OPWDD’s supported employment services include Supported Employment (SEMP) and the Employment Training Program (ETP).

Supported Employment can provide the supports you need to maintain a paid competitive job in the community. Typically, you will transition to Supported Employment after you have received supported employment services funded by the NYS Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) and you require limited job coaching to successfully maintain your employment.

The Employment Training Program can provide you with an opportunity to work in an internship that will lead to permanent employment in a community business. During the internship, your wages will be paid by through the Employment Training Program while you learn the skills needed for the job. As an Employment Training Program participant, you will also attend job readiness classes that present topics such as conflict resolution and how to dress for work. Employment Training Program services include increased job development and job coaching as well as assistance with other employability skills.”

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New York OPWDD Employment Training and Supports

SWIB Quarterly Meeting Presentation

he slide presentation from this meeting of the New York State Workforce Investment Board includes material on Customized Employment, WIOA, and Work Readiness Credentials.

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SWIB Quarterly Meeting Presentation

Person Centered Planning

"Person-Centered Planning (PCP) is a process designed to ensure that everyone receiving services provided or authorized by OPWDD benefits from the most individualized supports and services possible.

The Person-Centered Planning process should empower people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to have an active voice in the development of their Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) and in shaping their futures. It is an individualized approach to service planning, structured to focus on the unique values, strengths, preferences, capacities, interests, desired outcomes, and needs of the person.

Person-Centered Service Plans are expected to change and to adjust with the person over time. Consequently, it is critical to revisit the plan as prescribed by OPWDD’s Administrative Directive Memorandum (ADM) #2010-03, in addition to whenever a person finds it necessary to revise or amend their service plan."

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Person Centered Planning

New York Medicaid Infrastructure Grant MIG-RATS

Medicaid Buy-In Program For Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD) implemented July 2003 under the federal authority of TWWIIA Basic + Medical Improvement.

The Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Research Assistance to States (MIG-RATS) Center launched a website to provide resources and support to states implementing MIGs. The website is designed to help staff find research reports and resources, learn about MIG-RATS activities and initiatives, and connect with MIG researchers. The website includes info on topics such as Medicaid Buy-In programs, outreach and marketing, and youth in transition and also provides links to tools and a calendar of events.

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New York Medicaid Infrastructure Grant MIG-RATS

New York (ACCES-VR) Workforce Development and Business Relations Department “Adult Career and Continuing Education Services –Vocational Rehabilitation…a basic guide”

What is ACCES? The Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES) is part of the New York State Education Department and is comprised of three primary areas: Vocational Rehabilitation (including Independent Living Program Administration), Adult Education, and the Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision. ACCES-VR: • Administers vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs • Provides a wide array of services to assist eligible individuals with disabilities in obtaining employment • Provides services to students, beginning up to 2 years prior to exiting high school • Provides individual consultation, recommendations and training to assist with maintaining a job • Provides information and support to employers

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Adult Career and Continuing Education Services –Vocational Rehabilitation…a basic guide