Ticket to Work

The Red Book 2008 serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In addition to the PDF versions posted here in English and Spanish, the Red Book website has a page highlighting recent changes to the programs and html versions of the resource in both languages.

This website contains the presentation materials, workshop summaries, and other tools that were produced for this conference held in March 2008. SSA convened the summit as part of the unrolling of the new Ticket to Work program. Over 450 public and private service providers, advocates, SSA staff, and other federal agencies were present at the four-day meeting.

The Ohio MIG grantees hosted a Pathways to Employment Conference in 2006. Find a brochure with information and registration information as an example of the education opportunities promoting community employment, services and programs.

Find an abundance of information on Health Coverage for Workers with Disabilities (HCWD), a Medicaid expansion in North Carolina created under the authority of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act. Included are: reports on cost and participation projections; a powerpoint presentation on information gathered from workgroups; brochures on the program; and a fact sheet about the shift from personal care services (PCS) to HCWD.

Maryland's vocational rehabilitation and mental health agencies jointly promote supported employment evidence-based practices (EBP) for people with mental illness. The state provides a payment for EBP services and monitors fidelity to EBP. Training, technical assistance, and small, time-limited grants have assisted providers transitioning to EBP. More than two-thirds of Maryland’s supported employment providers either have adopted EBP or are implementing these practices.

CMS was soliciting proposals to develop the infrastructure to support competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Funding is intended to facilitate enhancements to state Medicaid programs and services, to promote linkages between Medicaid and other employment-related service agencies, and to develop a comprehensive system of employment supports. The demonstration period runs Jan–Dec 2008. This prior solicitation acts as a resource for terms, conditions and guidance.

Youth Employment Solutions – Project YES! – is a systems change project funded by the Nebraska Health and Human Services System through Nebraska’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grant. The purpose of Project YES! is to increase the competitive employment of Nebraska’s SSI, SSDI, and CDB eligible youth in transition. A summary of the purpose of Project YES! is included, and the Community Team Summary from 2006 is attached.

Presented by the Kolb Foundation for Disability Education, this series of forums was designed to serve as a resource for people with disabilities throughout Nebraska to learn about opportunities to work without jeopardizing their health care coverage and to promote self-sufficiency. Included are press releases, a flyer and an employer letter about the events.

The Ticket to Work Palliative Care program is a demonstration project to provide palliative care interventions to help Nebraskans with disabilities address pain, symptoms and psychosocial issues that create a barrier to employment. Included are the Pilot Application Cover Letter, Consent Form and Assessment Forms. The website for Nebraska Ticket to Work is also attached.

Developed by the Comprehensive Employment Opportunities – Medicaid Infrastructure grant, a strategic plan project was initiated to increase the competitive employment of people with disabilities in Minnesota. The report, based on data obtained through individual interviews and focus groups in 2005, is included. Additionally, the Continuation of Funding Application for 2006 is available.