Employment Programs

Supported by a Comprehensive Employment System - Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, Minnesota developed a competitive employment program called Pathways to Employment. Outreach materials produced by Pathways to Employment include: a website, a Postcard on Myth Busters and a Conference Folder with information on employment services and supports.

Supported by a CES - Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, Minnesota developed a strategic plan to increase competitive employment of people with disabilities, called Pathways to Employment. The strategic plan describes how Pathways to Employment, through its partners and stakeholders, will work together to build a more comprehensive, coordinated system of employment services and supports for Minnesotans with disabilities. Additionally, the brochure and work plans for 2006 and 2007 are included.

Developed by the Comprehensive Employment Opportunities – Medicaid Infrastructure grant, a strategic plan project was initiated to increase the competitive employment of people with disabilities in Minnesota. The report, based on data obtained through individual interviews and focus groups in 2005, is included. Additionally, the Continuation of Funding Application for 2006 is available.

As part of the Missouri Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, surveys and focus groups were conducted with a wide range of audiences from people with disabilities and their families to state agency staff and providers concerning employment issues. The surveys and focus groups yielded a great deal of information that is helpful in understanding the challenges people with disabilities face when trying to obtain and maintain employment. Included are three reports describing the information gathered.

The Missouri Business Leadership Network conducted a Disability Mentoring Day in St. Louis in Oct 2006 to give high school students the opportunity to engage in discussion with business leaders about concerns for furthering their education and/or entering the workforce. This program was further designed for students to network with business leaders and, for business leaders to match up with a student to mentor throughout the year. The report includes a summary of findings and recommendations.

The Institute for Human Development at the University of Missouri-Kansas City is administering the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to enhance the use of Medicaid resources in Missouri. This report provides a review of research and the activities and findings related to a retreat to assess needs of Missouri employers and people with disabilities. It also provides analysis of a follow-up survey of 153 agency providers and people with disabilities. Suggestions are made for future research.

This training manual provides a basic overview of Work Incentives and their parent programs. Title II Work Incentive Programs, such as Trail Work Period and Extended Period Eligibility, are discussed. Additionally, Title XVI Work Incentives, such as Blind Work Incentives and Plans for Achieving Self Support, are explained.

In 2006, Maine’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grant was awarded funds to provide outreach about Medicare’s new prescription drug coverage to MaineCare Workers with Disabilities Option dual eligible members. Methods for raising awareness and education about the transition to Medicare Part D were implemented. To identify the usefulness of outreach efforts and to learn about experiences with transitioning prescription drug coverage, a telephone survey was conducted. A report highlights the findings.

The CHOICES CEO (Comprehensive Employment Opportunities) online newsletter, Working Together, focuses on Maine’s efforts to increase work opportunities for people with disabilities. Additionally, a brochure on MaineCare, a health insurance program for people with disabilities in Maine, includes information on benefits, qualifications, and local resources for the MaineCare option.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Labor worked with a coalition from public and private sectors to recommend steps to support people with disabilities who work, or who wish to work. The full and abridged reports identify information on resources, opportunities, and short- and long-term activities to increase the number of workers with disabilities. Additionally, key findings for the MaineCare Workers with Disabilities Option are available in the Reader’s Guide.