Employment Programs

The National Council on Disability is required by law to annually submit a report on the status of the nation in achieving policies that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities and empower them to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. The 2009 report focuses on current quality of life indicators and emerging trends that should be factored into future policies and programs.

To support self-employment, START-UP / USA provides resources to people with disabilities and generates data and information to validate systems change and capacity-building strategies. The site offers case studies, fact sheets, training materials, webcasts and seminars.

Here is the strategic plan guiding a statewide public-private partnership meant to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The document reviews the current state of employment, the planning process, mission, priorities, and implementation and evaluation plans.

This paper provides an overview of the health coverage interventions tested by CMS DSW demonstration grantees and examines four approaches in more detail through the following four case studies:(1)Subsidizing Employer Based Insurance(North Carolina),(2)Prescription Discounts, Basic Health Insurance and Tax-Free Accounts(New Mexico),(3)DirigoChoice and Outreach to Home Care Agencies(Maine)and (4)Outreach to Consumer-Directed Home Care Workers (Washington).

March 2-4, 2009 state program staff, CMS staff, and technical assistance providers met in Baltimore to discuss Money Follows the Person and other strategies for helping people move out of nursing homes. Speakers presented on topics ranging from service integration, housing finance strategies, mentoring, quality, and many others.

The Veterans Health Administration plans to partner with the Aging Network in order to be serving over 109,000 veterans using HCBS by 2011. February 25 and 26, 2009, these organizations met in Boston to develop the partnership, work out next steps, and identify challenges. Presentations provide details on existing infrastructure, Nursing Home Diversion, financial management services, and existing research on HCBS and self-direction.

Since 1963, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act has steered federal funds to support research, advocacy, best practices, and demonstration projects. It set the ground for other groundbreaking legislation. Here you will find the text of the 2000 renewal of the Act and a free online repository housing a legislative history and older analyses and relevant technical assistance documents.

The experience of the Cobb and Douglas Counties Community Services Boards in Georgia in shifting from a segregated traditional service system to an innovative system focusing on economic development for persons with disabilities illustrates some common aspects of system change. The 7-year organizational evolution is analyzed here. The main points that emerged are: staff development; partnerships and funding; sustainability; management and HR practices; and expanding coverage to new populations.

Revisit the material presented at the 2008 HCBS Conference. The DSW Intensive provided an overview of the direct service workforce challenges and the initiatives being researched and developed to address them. Intensive materials posted include a planning document, trends in policy and recommendations for data collection.

In this collection of informational materials, Ohio outlines what its Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD) program is. Documents include an explanatory booklet, flyer and fact sheets. A website link with the government site that houses these documents, application forms and additional information is also included. While this material was intended for consumer use, it could serve as a guide to other states contemplating or running a similar MIG program.