Employment Programs

Facilitating user accessibility on a website can turn it into a vital and frequently accessed tool. As part of West Virginia's MIG grant, two databases were added to the Center for Excellence in Disabilities website, a searchable statewide transportation provider directory and statewide employment provider directory. This system displays easily updatable resources to those looking for employment and transportation information. The links to these databases are provided.

Why is understanding benefits and work incentives important? In the attached presentation, Washington outlines its benefit and work incentive Tier II training. Highlighting the significance of what their MIG program has to offer, and how this can improve employment and economic outcomes, this presentation could serve as a guide to those interested in Washington’s MIG program, as well as an example to other states.

How successful is Washington State's MIG program? A study found that Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities (HWD) program participants were more likely to be employed, had higher earnings and more stable Medicaid coverage, and relied less on the Basic Food program in the year following enrollment than very similar people covered by conventional Medicaid. For more details, read the attached MBI Evaluation Report, which could also be helpful to other states with MIG grants.

How is Wyoming marketing their Medicaid Buy-In Program? The Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) program is Wyoming’s MIG program. To effectively market the program, the attached brochure outlines the program, qualifications, benefits, eligibility and cost to the individual. This example could be useful to other states seeking to start a MIG program as well.

Is Project SEARCH an effective model for increasing employment among students with significant disabilities? This brief considers this work immersion model designed to help students with significant disabilities transition from school to work. Findings suggest that the model presents a promising approach but the author recommends a thorough evaluation and cost-benefit study to determine whether the outcomes are sufficient to justify the program’s high cost.

Learn about the design, methodology and data collection activities for Round 3 of the SSA’s National Beneficiary Survey (NBS). Find descriptive statistics about working-age Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries derived from the national cross-sectional sample of the 2006 NBS. This is the fourth in a series of reports that make up the fifth Ticket to Work evaluation report.

What is California offering its Spanish speaking population in terms of marketing material for its MIG programs? A Spanish "Talent Knows No Limits" Program Brochure outlines the program and resources in both Spanish and English. This sample could be helpful to other MIG grantees marketing to their Hispanic population.

How are states marketing their MIG programs? California went to an outside research company to conduct a marketing study. The attached presentation and results outline the details and findings of this study. Some of the topics addressed are the current employment process, employment resources, and perceptions of messaging statements. This presentation ends by providing insights to action. Though created for California programs this study could provide valuable marketing tips to other MIG states.

How is California using online training to help instruct interested people about work incentives? Through webinars, the CHIIP staff are able to train people located anywhere in California. Find archived webinars on the "Talent has No Limits" Website. Corresponding PowerPoint presentations for the “Work Incentive Programs and Building Financial Assets for People with Disabilities” and the “250% Working Disabled Program and Options” webinars are also included.

How are states getting the word out about Work Incentives for Social Security Disability Benefits? In California, a free job fair for people with Disabilities, called Jobtoberfest is held annually. In 2009 a presentation was given with an overview of the work incentives for social security disability benefits. The presentation is attached, and could be helpful to other states interested in recruiting people with disabilities into their MIG programs.