Ticket to Work

What are some of the essential components of Medicaid long-term care programs? This brief, geared towards people working in Medicaid or disability employment, discusses payment for long-term care, range of services, administration, eligibility, functional assessment and rebalancing of long-term care systems. Also find examples of how some states have incorporated aspects of long-term care services and supports (LTSS) into their Medicaid Buy-In (MBI) programs.

Review the findings of six listening sessions where participants provided input on more effective ways to increase employment of women, veterans, and minorities with disabilities, the identfication of federal and state systems effectively collaborating to achieve successful employment outcomes, and identification of three top issues on which the federal government should focus to support an increase in labor force participation of people with disabilities.

Are MIGs assisting individuals with disabilities to become employed? An annual GPRA report has been produced since 2007. This report builds on previous work, and shows the continued impact of MIG funding in 2008 on programs and services that facilitate employment among individuals with disabilities. As the MIG program approaches the end of its authorized period, many states are committing to evaluating the programs, documenting their impacts, and sustaining the efforts beyond 2011.

Looking for sample e-newsletters funded by the MIG grant and geared towards employing people with disabilities? The state of Maine created 'Working Together e-News' as a way of providing timely, relevant, business-oriented information and updates for employers that are interested in diversifying Maine's workforce. An archive of these newsletters are provided on their website and could serve as an example to other states considering a newsletter sponsorship model.

Looking for samples of MIG program training materials for consumers? The state of New York created a series of informative guides to educate New Yorkers with disabilities about their programs. These reports cover areas such as the earned income tax credit, how to build assets with a plan for achieving self support, and the impact of earnings on supplemental security income benefits. Samples are attached and could serve as guides to other states looking for clear, well designed models.

How are states incorporating new media into their MIG grant training programs? Webinars allow for a cinematic, presentation like, learning experience that can be accessed conveniently online. The state of New York uses webinars to explain their programs to consumers and service providers, and made archives of these presentations available online. A link to the archives page of the New York Makes Work Pay site is provided below. These webinars could serve as a template for other MIG states.

Statistics for how many people on the Social Security disability rolls return to work published by the SSA each year are based on the behavior of beneficiaries over a short period. Longer-term statistics offer “good news” in that, compared to the short-term statistics, they show more beneficiaries leaving the rolls after finding work. They also show that some beneficiaries who return to work but don’t leave the rolls could become more self sufficient if better work incentives were in place.

How are state MIG programs reaching out to the business community? The state of Indiana created a training curriculum to help promote the hiring of people with disabilities. The attached samples include business outreach models currently offered by companies, the LOWE’S “Building A New Future” project, disability awareness training for Walgreens, business development of rural providers, a form template for worksite analysis, and coaching and natural support ideas training.

How are states getting the word out about the latest changes to their MIG programs as they continue to grow and evolve? Nevada posts new information in their “What's New” column on the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services website. Listing the most up to date information in this manner provides a useful way of keeping visitors as up-to-date as possible about their program and provides good incentive for return visits. It is an approach that could be beneficial to other states.

Did you miss the disability forum which provided an overview of the Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment? You can access a live recording of presentations where the rationale for DMIE, a review of its core goals, and descriptions of four states’ implementations of the program were presented. Findings and implications for disability policy are discussed as well.