Wages and Benefits

This testimony discusses possible strategies for improving the rate of federal employment of individuals with disabilities. The testimony is based on our October 2010 report discussing barriers to the employment of people with disabilities in the federal workforce and leading practices that could be used to overcome these barriers.

How is California helping youths with disabilities to connect with needed supports and services as they transition to work or postsecondary education? Explore several presentations and toolkits put out by the California Health Incentives Improvement Project (CHIIP) that aim to facilitate the transition process for these youth. May be replicable by other states seeking to assist similar populations.

Are MIGs assisting individuals with disabilities to become employed? This report shows the continued impact of MIG funding in 2009. One of the most visible activities has been the development of state Medicaid Buy-In programs, under which workers with significant disabilities can “buy in” to Medicaid coverage when their earnings would otherwise make them ineligible. This report updates trends in the enrollment, employment, and earnings of participants.

How is the state of Arkansas educating its consumers with disabilities and employers on important issues such as how to maintain your health benefits and work and why employing individuals with disabilities is a smart business choice? Attached are two examples of articles in the state that provide information. This entry serves as a good example for other states wanting to enhance their MIG outreach materials.

The state of Arizona hosted online discussion groups in order to get feedback from community rehabilitation and employment services providers on their Employment Development Project. The overriding purpose of the online discussions was to garner insights into how service providers view the EN program, the perceived organizational value of adopting or integrating the EN business model into existing business practices, and barriers to EN program implementation. For the results explore this report.

How is the state of Alabama reaching out to consumers and employers with important information regarding help for persons with disabilities who want to work or return to work? To find out, explore several examples of state-wide outreach: two newsletters put out by "BamaWorks", Alabama's MIG program, a brochure, and a website. May be replicable by other states seeking to provide outreach for their own MIG programs.

Direct-care workers provide 70-80% of the paid hands-on long-term care and personal assistance received by the elderly or individuals living with disabilities or other chronic conditions. They also constitute one of the largest and fastest-growing workforces in the country, playing a vital role in job creation and economic growth, particularly in low-income communities. This analysis shows that the wages and benefits for these frontline health care workers continue to be woefully inadequate.

This needs assessment is one example of how the state of Wisconsin is working to achieve the goals of the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant and to strengthen its employment infrastructure for residents with disabilities. Within this report find input from consumers, employment service providers, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders as well as recommendations for for emerging training needs in order to best serve those involved in the community rehabilitation process.

How does the state of West Virginia evaluate the effectiveness of their MIG programs and services? Explore these exit survey results as well as corresponding conclusions and recommendations. This particular survey is mailed monthly to individuals after they leave the state's Medicaid Work Incentive Network; discover the variety of reasons.

How can states provide outreach and resources to employers in order to encourage and support them in hiring individuals with disabilities? Explore the "Abilities" newsletter archive in order to see examples of the electronic newsletter to employers produced every other month by the state of Vermont. May be helpful for other MIG states working to reach out to employers.