All States/Territories

Partnering with business and the workforce system is an important part of improving employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The goal of the Disability Program Navigator Initiative is to achieve more seamless, comprehensive, and integrated service delivery and supports that can expand the capacity of this workforce investment system. The attached presentation is part of a webinar outlining this initiative, highlighting examples in Oregon, Maine and Virginia.

Designed to train CWICs and Case Managers, this collection of training materials gives an overview of the Alabama MIG grant, emphasizing cross-collaboration. Cross-collaboration explains how waiver service coordinators and CWICs can partner, as well as the process of making referrals, consent to share information requirements, and the role of MIG Staff. This emphasis on training collaboration could serve as a guide to other states with MIG programs looking to do the same.

Why focus on employment? Funded by Oregon’s MIG grant, this presentation stresses the importance of working for social reasons, not just financial ones. It presents the case that supported employment is an important part of improving the lives of people with a mental health diagnosis. The principles and findings described here provide information that could be beneficial to any state interested in the issues of evidence based supported employment and the research to back it up.

How can we dispel myths and create opportunities for the employment of the disabled? Oregon’s Work Incentives Network (WIN) addresses this issue in the attached presentation. Given at the 6th Annual Pacific Northwest Brain Injury Conference, as well as statewide training events for stakeholders, this presentation explains how WIN works, myths that exist about benefits and working and how to access services. While WIN is specific to Oregon, the approaches it takes could be useful to other states.

The Oregon Competitive Employment Project seeks to enhance the quality of life in Oregon by achieving, maintaining and advancing the competitive and inclusive employment of persons with disabilities. The project is funded by a four-year Medicaid Infrastructure Grant and is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. The project website contains information and downloads, and could be a useful tool for other MIG grantees.

Many assume that most of the long-term care population is elderly. Not so, according to this study. About half of community-dwelling Americans needing long-term care are younger than sixty five. Research and data collection focusing solely on older adults with long-term care needs misses half of the story. Recommendations of the study include a redistribution in long-term care spending from institutional to non-institutional settings, and from agencies to independent providers.

How can states more successfully facilitate the employment of their disabled population? One approach Nebraska has taken is gathering information from both clients and worksites with the help of detailed questionnaires. These forms assess the requirements of the job and the needs of the clients, taking into account such factors as transportation, learning style and mobility issues. Three samples of these forms are included here and could prove to be valuable templates for other states.

How is Nebraska using its MIG funding to assist individuals with disabilities manage the chronic pain that prevents them from acquiring or maintaining employment? The Nebraska Ticket to Work Palliative Care Program combines palliative care with employment services in an effort to address chronic pain as a barrier to employment. The program takes a cutting-edge approach, which could be employed in any state. A more detailed summary of the program is provided in the newsletter available here.

What do Nebraska’s Medicaid Insurance for Workers with Disabilities (MIWD) clients think about the employment supports offered them through the MIG funded program? In December, 2007 current clients were asked to participate in a telephone survey, which was a follow-up to a more extensive evaluation finalized in April 2007. The methodology, goal and summary of the findings are included here and could be helpful to other states looking to improve the effectiveness of their employment supports.

How is Nebraska using its MIG grant to address the needs of those struggling due to brain injuries? Through a screening tool, and a follow-up questionnaire, the state is working to diagnose these individuals so they may effectively rejoin the workforce. The forms, could serve as a template for other states who wish to do the same, and are available here.