Chapter 515 Annual Report On Integrated Employment For Individuals With Disabilities SFY 2006/07

Next Steps: Enhancing Collaboration and Increasing Integrated Employment Opportunities

VESID

The focus of interagency collaboration remains at the local and regional levels, especially with the addition of One-Stop Centers as part of the Workforce Investment Act. However, State-level coordination is essential for assuring a statewide focus on improving the quality of employment services and increasing integrated employment outcomes.

Supported Employment - During 2006, VESID continued its supported employment contracts with all approved provider agencies into the third year of a planned five-year contract cycle. VESID awarded an RFP for Training for Community Rehabilitation Providers of Supported Employment and has contracted with the University at Buffalo to provide a comprehensive training program throughout the State. This training initiative will address the training needs of providers and improve the quality of supported employment services.
Supported Employment Guidelines - At the request of service providers, advocacy organizations, consumers, family members and other State agencies, VESID revised the "Provider Guidelines for Supported Employment" to establish a common base of accepted practices and procedures for supported employment. In March 2007, these guidelines were revised and reissued as the “Supported Employment Guidelines”.
(See http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/supportedemployment/
seguidelines0307.htm.) These guidelines clarify the supported employment service delivery expectations and protocols between VESID and community service providers.
Designing Our Future - During 2006, VESID completed the design phase of this effort with input from partner agencies, providers, consumers and staff. During 2007, a series of pilots have been implemented to test the major features of the planned design. Regarding interagency partnerships, VESID will develop an “Interagency Leadership Team” at the executive level to increase employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Contracting Methodology for Vocational Rehabilitation Services – VESID currently manages over 400 Unified Contract Services (UCS) and Supported Employment (SE) contracts with non-profit community service providers across the State. One of the recommendations of the VESID “Designing Our Future” initiative involved the redesign of the VESID Unified Contract Services (UCS) process. The first step is the development of cohesive definitions for the array of services currently being purchased by VESID.
In January 2007, the New York State Rehabilitation Association (NYSRA) was awarded a competitive contract to convene a workgroup for the purpose of developing recommended definitions of VESID’s purchased services. The workgroup consisted of representatives from provider agencies, consumer groups and VESID. In its final report, the workgroup identified eight service categories which encompass the wide array of services purchased by VESID. The goal of these efforts is to streamline the contracts; improve the timeliness of authorizations, reporting and reimbursement; and assure quality and fiscal accountability. It should also enable VESID to provide more appropriate rates to providers.
VESID Business and Industry Initiatives - VESID Placement and Marketing Representatives in the 15 District Offices have continued to promote employment of people with disabilities statewide through the following collaborations: statewide disability employment training initiative with Cornell University; local job placement and marketing initiatives with the Society for Human Resource Management; and continued coordination with local Chambers of Commerce and The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) unions across the State. VESID is also strengthening its regional alliance with national businesses through participation in the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) collaboration on the National Employment Team (The NET). Recently, the VESID Placement and Marketing staff participated in a regional audio conference with human resource managers from H&R Block to establish a strong business relationship with T. J. Maxx Stores that will lead to direct information of job openings at local stores.
NDEAM (National Disability Employment Awareness Month) continues to be an annual statewide event. The theme this year is “Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team”. In collaboration with many of our partners, VESID will be holding 14 statewide events. Some of these events will also include “Disability Mentoring Day” celebrations. Employers, businesses and workers with disabilities are recognized with State-level awards that are selected in conjunction with the Department of Labor, CBVH, the Commission on Quality Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (CQCAPD) and the Department of Economic Development (DED).

CBVH

Self-Employment - CBVH continues to support self-employment opportunities for consumers. In New York City and Syracuse, CBVH is participating in the Abilities Fund grant program funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The grant links State vocational rehabilitation programs with micro enterprise organizations. In New York City, the Abilities Fund Grantee - the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) works with individual CBVH consumers to explore the feasibility of their business idea, if appropriate, develop a business proposal and if approved by CBVH, assist the individual in implementing the business plan. CBVH has also worked with the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) to develop a relationship for providing services similar to those provided by the BEDC. QEDC conducted an introductory workshop for CBVH consumers and counselors covering topics such as: self-assessment, license and permits, developing a business plan, marketing techniques and understanding financial statements. CBVH anticipates connecting consumers with QEDC for additional self-employment-related services.
Work Experiences for Youth - CBVH recognizes that employment is a valuable teaching tool for the teenager and young adult, fostering responsibility and self-discipline, expanding social horizons and providing income. Most youth work before they graduate from high school. Therefore, CBVH has the expectation that all youth participate in some type of work experience during their teenage years. During the summer, many teenage and young adult consumers are involved in work experiences. Other youth participate in prevocational programs, where they explore career options and acquire work-related skills; or pre-college programs, where they work on self-advocacy skills, research techniques and study skills. CBVH’s Children’s Program also prepares youth for employment, encouraging parents and schools to involve blind youth in chores at home and in volunteer activities. Social skills and self-confidence are further developed through participation in summer camps (both mainstreamed opportunities and experiences developed for individuals with disabilities).
Business Employment Program (BEP) – CBVH has established regional BEP training opportunities, which have increased the number of applicants to the program and CBVH’s ability to fill vacancies. CBVH continues to expand BEP facilities to increase employment opportunities. CBVH established a new facility in the Federal court house in Central Islip, and has reclaimed a former BEP facility at the Cohalan Court House. BEP staffing was increased to allow CBVH to provide better support to facility managers. CBVH is actively working with the New York State Lottery to identify managers having trouble running the lottery portion of their business so that they can receive assistance to restore that business opportunity. The State Committee of Blind Vendors continues to work with CBVH to promote the employment of individuals with disabilities as employees in facilities run by legally blind managers.
Supported Employment – Under the current contract, a total of 41 providers has contracted to serve a total of 184 consumers, with a goal to place, train and stabilize 115 of those consumers. CBVH has worked with VESID to utilize unused capacity at agencies with special expertise related to those CBVH consumers with disabilities in addition to blindness.
Vision Institute – With the Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program in Region II, CBVH holds an annual “Vision Institute” designed to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills related to placing individuals with vision impairments in competitive employment. Over 130 participants, including CBVH staff, and staff from community rehabilitation programs who work with individuals who are blind, learned about the 55(b) program, the Work Readiness Credential, assessment techniques for persons who are visually impaired, job readiness programs, job development success strategies, Social Security work incentives, ethics and disclosure, and strategies for working with youth.
Employment Focus – CBVH is continuing its emphasis on achieving quality employment outcomes, implementing recommendations from a CBVH management symposium which set the directions for the agency. Counselor meetings reinforce CBVH’s employment priorities and allow counselors the opportunity to gain additional skills and knowledge, and to share successful strategies. CBVH is increasing collaboration with community rehabilitation programs through regional employment provider groups, and with other state VR programs through participation with the Region I (New England) Employer Networking Group, and participation in employment initiatives of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation. CBVH has acquired access to “EmployOn”, an internet jobs database which “spiders” thousands of job posting sites. The tool has been used not only to obtain jobs, but to help consumers assess potential career choices. Staff anticipates that a new case management system, under development for implementation in spring 2008, will support more effective employment strategies by providing an employer database and a variety of tools to be used to develop career goals. CBVH will continue to work with DOL and partners in the One-Stop service delivery system.

OMRDD

OMRDD supports the employment aspirations of individuals with developmental disabilities through the following program strategies and funding sources.

Supported Employment – This program assists over 8,200 New Yorkers with developmental disabilities with their employment service needs in community jobs. The support services are funded through the Home and Community- Based Services Waiver and State dollars. OMRDD can allocate additional resources through the use of the Supported Employment Contingency Fund for individuals with special challenges or support needs who wish to work. Contingency funds are made available on an annual basis and provider agencies must apply for them each year.
New York State Options for People through Services (NYS-OPTS) - OMRDD continues to encourage individuals with developmental disabilities to work collaboratively with voluntary provider agencies to create innovative person-centered proposals through OPTS. OPTS proposals can create new ways to support people in employment and participate in their communities. Frequently, OPTS proposals include a blend of services (supported employment, day habilitation and pre-vocational services) which promote employment and community membership in unique ways.
Consolidated Supports and Services (CSS) - This self-directed waiver service offered by OMRDD continues to capture the imagination of self-advocates in New York State who use CSS as a support strategy to fulfill their dreams of employment. CSS is the method by which a person plans the services and supports needed to achieve a personal valued outcome, in this case, employment. CSS can support a person to explore or learn the specific skills needed for a particular job or business and can also fund job coaching or other work-related supports.
The Commissioner’s Internship Program - The Commissioner’s Internship Program was designed and recently implemented to offer a unique employment option for individuals with developmental disabilities. In the past year, OMRDD has offered paid job placements for motivated individuals who want to acquire and maintain long-term employment. This paid work experience enables the individual to gain the skills and the confidence required for successful employment. Through the internship program, on-the-job supports are provided to the intern and the employer as needed. The paid internship lasts for 18 months, at which time it is expected that the employer will transition the intern into their organization and begin to pay the individual’s wages. Currently, many interns are working at not-for-profit organizations, private businesses, and within OMRDD and the Developmental Disabilities Services Offices.
Expansion of Supported Employment Initiative - OMRDD will be promoting an initiative to challenge its provider partner agencies operating sheltered workshops and day habilitation programs to create innovative strategies to assist individuals who wish to become employed in the community. Special emphasis will be extended to young people who are recent high school graduates who did not move directly into community employment from high school.

OMH

Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) - PROS programs incorporate a person-centered approach to facilitating employment. Services are provided for the purpose of overcoming mental health barriers that prevent an individual from achieving his or her recovery goals.
Over the past year, OMH has granted thirteen new licenses to providers, twelve in Suffolk County and one in Orange County. This brings the total number of PROS programs to fourteen as of June 1, 2007. OMH is currently having preliminary conversations with several other counties that are interested in implementing PROS.
In preparation for the transition of programs to PROS, OMH offers training in a variety of areas including supporting employment in a PROS environment. Practitioners are encouraged to offer employment-related services to any participant who has a goal of working. OMH provides ongoing, individualized technical assistance and support to providers regarding employment-related services as well as other issues related to the implementation of PROS.
As PROS continues to be implemented throughout New York State, OMH will work in partnership with VESID and other agencies to help individuals acquire jobs and to provide the necessary ongoing support.
New York Interagency Supported Employment Report (NYISER) – NYISER is a data system created to capture detailed information about supported employment services offered by agencies contracted with VESID, CBVH, OMRDD and OMH. The Chapter 515 Interagency Implementation Team has been working to make the system more user friendly for all programs. The planned improvements will make data reports from NYISER more useful and meaningful for all four agencies.
OMH will continue to encourage agencies to report employment-related information in NYISER toward the goals of improving statewide services and enhancing the lives of the people we serve.

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