State/Agency Information

Wisconsin uses MIG funds to increase integrated employment using strategies such as vocational planning, peer support, social enterprises, and self-employment. The first resource here presents best practices in integrated employment from 23 states. The rest are manuals and training materials for replicating vocational planning, social enterprise, and self-employment programs.

Here are materials used to develop a one-stop employment website to help Washingtonians with disabilities find local career information and supports. The proposal offers a needs statement, a project plan, detailed budget and staffing needs, and a draft of the top-level organization scheme for the site. The presentation slides were used as part of a focus group study to determine which information and tools would be most useful on the site.

This document sums up the funding, goals, and objectives of the MIG programs for people with developmental disabilities in Washington. It includes contact information for partner organizations, benefits specialists in each county and statewide technical assistance providers.

Find here examples of communications used to answer questions about eligibility and the application process for waiver programs. The first handout summarizes the three levels of financial eligibility and strategies for helping an individual maintain benefits. The second resource, a training presentation, provides this information in more detail and uses an anecdotal character to walk through the requirements. Finally, the chart illustrates basic eligibility requirements in a simple chart.

Under the Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities (HWD) program, people with disabilities can earn more money but still receive Medicaid benefits by paying premiums based on a sliding income scale. At this website, the state offers eligibility information, instructions on applying for HWD coverage, and links to further information. The presentation gives detailed eligibility and application information and includes a tutorial on using the website.

Use this presentation to learn how VT has measured the effectiveness of the Working People with Disabilities program. The primary cost measured was money spent on Medicaid claims and benefits counseling. This was compared with the earnings increases experienced by individuals in the program. The analysis found that every $1 spent on new Medicaid claims and benefits counseling, participant earnings increased by $1.23.

Time-limited grants and categorical funding keep providers in the position of searching for funds to cover expenses. Sustainability is about maintaining programs after funding ends and ensuring the organization has become a permanent part of the community. This toolkit contains tips and planning worksheets within six booklets: strategic planning, organizational assessment & readiness, effective marketing strategies, financial management, fund raising & development, results-oriented evaluations.

Through the Work Ability program, Utah provides employment support such as personal assistance services and the Medicaid Work Incentive health insurance benefit. The attached brochures outline these specific services, and the website provides more detail on all available benefits. Also posted here is a brochure that highlights the advantages for employers of hiring workers with disabilities and points them towards resources that can help them do so.

South Dakota’s Freedom to Work (FTW) project provides supports to job seekers with disabilities. Here are examples of tools used to publicize the project. The FTW brochure summarizes all associated services, while the Personal Assistance Services brochure and poster and the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance brochure provide more detailed information for those particular services. The website has relevant links and quarterly newsletters about FTW.

SCAccess provides this one-stop website for finding aging and disability resources, applying for benefits, and learning about rights. One section contains a directory for finding and tips for hiring the right personal care worker. Another helps individuals connect with information specialists at each Area Agency on Aging. Consumers can also download commonly used documents and applications. Finally, the site is integrated with agency case management tools.