Employment Programs

How are states addressing MIG benefits planning? The Hawaii Benefits Information Network hosted a ceremony for Benefits Planning Certificate Training graduates and officially launched the Hawaii Benefits Information Network. The continuing education slides for this program are attached below, as well as a sample Certificate which shows certification in Hawaii Benefits Planning Certificate Training and could serve as an example for other states.

Increasing integrated employment opportunities and outcomes for individuals with disabilities in Wisconsin’s managed long-term care system is the topic of this grantee presentation. It discusses two major systems change initiatives, i.e., the statewide expansion of the “Family Care” managed long-term care program and the “Pathways to Independence” Medicaid Infrastructure Grant initiative.

How is Hawaii supporting its disabled population and its art community at the same time? Hawaii’s MIG sponsored VSA arts program promotes inclusive educational and professional arts and creative industry pathway opportunities for individuals with and without disabilities, and youth and adults who are otherwise disadvantaged or at risk. The attached presentations and document showcase the program, artists' event successes, and the Arts @ Work for Teens Program.

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.

View the National Technical Assistance and Research center’s (NTAR) website. Their mission is to promote leadership for increasing the employment and economic independence of adult with disabilities. The site includes information on their State Leaders Innovation Institute and State Peer Leaders Network, as well as an extensive library of resources including research projects and products, audio conferences, presentations and webinars.

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.

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.

How is the District of Columbia marketing their disabled population to employers? The DC Metro Business Leadership Network (DC Metro BLN) promotes the best practices in hiring retaining, and marketing to people with disabilities in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Suburban Maryland. Their website and newsletter highlight the program and offers resources aimed at employers, including survey questions. It‘s a marketing approach that could be useful to other states.

Forty percent of Social Security disability beneficiaries are interested in employment according to this study by Mathematica’s Center for Studying Disability Policy. Findings indicate that beneficiaries can be categorized into three groups based on their work-related efforts and expectations. The author concludes that both government and program participants could greatly benefit from Social Security disability programs that provide greater economic incentives and supports for employment.