Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG)

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.

What are the benefits of being part of the Employment Networks Program in Hawaii? The Ticket to Work program and the Employment Network are explained in this presentation to Developmental Disabilities Division case managers, administrators and waiver providers. The information includes defining what can be part of the employment network, how it works and how it benefits the consumer and the agency, which can be helpful for agencies and other states with MIG grants.

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 are states empowering youth with disabilities? Through the Youth Organizing Disabled and Proud Seminar, California is working to connect youth with disabilities to each other, organizations, resources and opportunities. Attached are some of the training materials and resources from the Seminar. See also "Disability History Week-Activities" for sample training activities and "Disability History Week-Surveys" for surveys and permissions samples from this seminar.

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.

Providers play a key role in the success of MIG grant programs. Their understanding of how the MIG grant works and who to contact is essential in keeping services running efficiently. Florida provided training information to its providers, explaining MIG values, functions and important resources. The attached presentation is part of this training and could be helpful to other states with MIG grants.

Diversity Training is key to providing an inclusive climate in the workplace for disabled workers, as well as for creating these opportunities in the first place. The attached presentations are part of Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities training curriculum. Intended to highlight the positive impacts working has on the disabled and on the workplace, these presentations are for employers and could be useful to other MIG grantees as well.

How can states more effectively accommodate employment for the disabled? One approach Florida has taken is training Supported Living Assistants in their roles and responsibilities, emphasizing working closely with employment coaches. The attached training presentation focuses on communication, maintaining benefits and reporting wages. This training tool could be useful to other MIG grantees with similar programs.

What are you going to do after High School? As part of its MIG grant, Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities asked this question in a presentation to disabled teenagers about to graduate high school. By presenting a need for qualified workers, the importance of work on self-esteem and the resources to facilitate this transition, Florida is working to get more of its young disabled population into the workforce. This could be helpful to other states interested in this demographic.

How can states better engage the public and the disabled about employment issues for the disabled in their communities? A unique approach Hawaii has taken is to host a monthly Disability Perspective TV show on public television. Meant to educate the public on employment barriers for people with disabilities and the work incentives available for them, this program covers different topics and personal experiences relating to MIG grant programs. Online streaming of the show is available.