Assessments

Are MIGs assisting individuals with disabilities to become employed? An annual GPRA report has been produced since 2007. This report builds on previous work, and shows the continued impact of MIG funding in 2008 on programs and services that facilitate employment among individuals with disabilities. As the MIG program approaches the end of its authorized period, many states are committing to evaluating the programs, documenting their impacts, and sustaining the efforts beyond 2011.

AoA has released a toolkit that provides the Aging Network and its partners with a replicable and easy-to-use method for providing services for any diverse community. The toolkit consists of a four-step process and a questionnaire that assists professionals, volunteers and advocates with every stage of program planning, implementation and service delivery for older adult communities, their families and caregivers.

Is Indiana's Work Incentive Planning & Assistance program creating sustainable work incentive supports? The attached presentation outlines how policies and resources implemented by the program have helped create long term sustainability by providing training, technical assistance & quality assurance. A sample of this presentation is attached and could be useful to other MIG states with similar program goals.

What are the lessons learned and the sustainability of Project SEARCH Indiana? Providing transition-age youth with quality internship experiences in preparation for competitive employment, Project SEARCH Indiana seeks to prepare youth for jobs in the “real world.” The attached presentation was given at the 2009 MIG Employment Summit, and outlines the transition model, key partners, funding and more. The information provided could be useful to other states wishing to implement similar programs.

Looking for a sample of a MIG pilot project final report? The state of Nebraska created a report to access the success of their Brain Book™ System pilot project, dealing with traumatic brain injury. This report covers background and pilot objective, pilot activities, post-program evaluation, training program structure and resources, and conclusions and recommendations. A sample of this report and three corresponding forms and documents are available.

How do dually eligible beneficiaries affect state MIG grant programs? Rhode Island and the University of RI, College of Pharmacy produced a chart book which highlights demographics, healthcare services, expenditures and the variation in cost by settings of care for seniors and people with disabilities who were enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid between 1995-2005. Objectives and findings are included. An sample of this book is attached and could be helpful to other MIG grantees.

How can ADRCs increase their outreach and strengthen their relationship with diverse populations and community-based organizational partners? This brief provides an overview of cultural competence including its definition and how it can be best implemented. Also included are key demographics, barriers to culturally competent service provision, organizational assessment tools, practices and standards, and a list of cultural competence resources that may be useful for ADRC staff.

The Maryland Department of Disabilities hosted an intensive workshop focused on employment resources and services, and job-seeking sessions about cover letters, resumes, job applications, interviewing and benefits counseling. At this workshop they conducted a survey of participants in order to rate the event and assess improvements. A sample of the questions and results are attached, which could serve as a template for other states looking into assessing their employment programs and events.

Assessing customer satisfaction, awareness and interest in VR services among the broader business community is important when determining the success of a MIG program. Vermont’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation conducted an employer survey to address these questions. The draft of the report, and a PowerPoint presentation outlining the results of the survey are provided and could be helpful to other MIG states looking into accessing their programs.

What are the long term effects of MIG programs on wages? The state of Virginia evaluated the long-term impact of Vocational Rehabilitative (VR) services on employment, earnings and services provisions. Preliminary findings indicate that VR services have a substantial positive impact on future employment probabilities but very little impact on wages. A sample of this data-filled report is attached, and could be helpful to other states conducting similar studies.