Wages and Benefits

Why is California preparing its disabled children for their transition to teen-hood? By engaging these children early, California hopes to get these kids involved in their own health care and future employment opportunities. The end goal is a transition to adulthood that is successful, fulfilling and without limitations. The attached health care booklet contains advice, tips and more for kids preparing to take charge of their own future, and includes advice for their parents.

West Virginia created a handbook to prepare students and their parents for transition through school and into life. Some transition options are outlined for employment, independent living and post secondary education. A transition checklist for students is included. A sample handbook is provided, which could be useful to other MIG grantees interested in marketing the transition programs.

How is California using online training to help instruct interested people about work incentives? Through webinars, the CHIIP staff are able to train people located anywhere in California. Find archived webinars on the "Talent has No Limits" Website. Corresponding PowerPoint presentations for the “Work Incentive Programs and Building Financial Assets for People with Disabilities” and the “250% Working Disabled Program and Options” webinars are also included.

How is California empowering their youth with disabilities? One way is through the Youth Organizing Disabled and Proud Seminar which connects youth with disabilities to each other, organizations, resources and opportunities. The attached activities and their corresponding samples are from the Seminar. Review "Disability History Campaign-Presentation and Resources" and "Disability History Week-Surveys" for more information and surveys and permission samples from this seminar.

How are states addressing MIG benefits planning? The Hawaii Benefits Information Network hosted a ceremony for Benefits Planning Certificate Training graduates and officially launched the Hawaii Benefits Information Network. The continuing education slides for this program are attached below, as well as a sample Certificate which shows certification in Hawaii Benefits Planning Certificate Training and could serve as an example for other states.

How is Hawaii supporting its disabled population and its art community at the same time? Hawaii’s MIG sponsored VSA arts program promotes inclusive educational and professional arts and creative industry pathway opportunities for individuals with and without disabilities, and youth and adults who are otherwise disadvantaged or at risk. The attached presentations and document showcase the program, artists' event successes, and the Arts @ Work for Teens Program.

Review materials generated by the Central Texas ADRC providing information about the program, and many state-specific forms and documentation. Also included is a detailed Guidebook for participants in their Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services program. These materials (guidebook, sample budgets, emergencies, employment forms, job descriptions and trainings) can be used as templates for other states involved in similar initiatives.

What leads you to want to go back to work? This is just one of many questions asked at Consumer, Family & Youth Conference, where Hawaii introduced its Benefits Information Network in 2009. Designed for the panelist discussion, this series of questions and introduction to the Benefits Information Network, emphasizes the importance of work incentives information available to the public. This document could be used by other states interested in starting a MIG grant program.

How is Hawaii teaching its consumers, agencies and case managers about benefits information in Maui? In the attached slide presentations, Maui Benefits Information Outreach covers, disability programs, SSI, SSDI, medicaid, medicare & work incentives and Ticket to Work. These presentations for Hawaii’ s MIG program could be useful to other states with a similar program, or thinking about implementing one.

How is Hawaii marketing its Hire Abilities MIG grant program? One way is by posting sponsored events on their YouTube channel. The following link is for their video which highlights Artists Mean Business, promoting the work of artists with disabilities. This event, posted on the Hireabilities's Channel, is an innovative way of marketing the program and could be useful to other MIG grantees.