let's get to work

Wisconsin’s Let’s Get to Work: A Policy and Practice Approach for Launching

Youth into the Work Force

Beth Swedeen & Lisa Pugh

May 30, 2012

Learning Objectives• Use evidence-based and promising practices at the

local and systemic level to measure employment outcomes

• Identify policy and practice barriers• Identify practical strategies for engaging policymakers

Project framework includes all stakeholders:Combines what research/data shows are:• Most significant barriers;• Strategies and practices that work; • policies that act as both facilitators and barriers to

employment.

Project framework includes all stakeholders:• School staff• Service agencies: Voc

Rehab; Long-term care system

• Students• Families• Broader community

(including employers)

Four project components• Statewide consortium• Pilot schools• On-site coaches• Policy team

Consortium’s Role• Large: includes representation from all stakeholders,

60-70 people• Provides input on what is and isn’t working, what

directions to pursue; what policies need to change or improve

• Includes progress updates from schools and three state agencies on progress: practice and policy changes

Pilot Schools• Did a statewide competitive application reviewed by

all six major partners (3 state agencies; 3 ADD partners)

• Looked for interest/ability to develop a broader stakeholder group in their school and community

• Had to commit to implement evidence-based or promising practices…

Practices:• Person-centered planning• School/community mapping of opportunities• Connection general education and co-curricular activities• Summer paid/volunteer community-based jobs• Early connection to DVR• Engaging broader community through a Community

Conversation• School learning circle/community of practice to learn from

each other

Russell’s Story• Person-centered planning• School/community mapping of opportunities• Connection general education and co-curricular

activities• Summer paid/volunteer community-based jobs

How I got my jobs

As a young student, I really liked riding the bus

In high school I really enjoyed hanging out with friends

My current position at BPDD

Always wanted to be a driver

Coaches• On-site supporters/cheerleaders/practitioners who

show school staff how to try new practices• Provide resources and direct instruction training• Connect them to other professional development,

training and resources

Policy Team• Members• What it does

Policy Barriers: DVR • Too many facility-based

assessments for youth• Lack experience and

comfort in supporting individuals with significant disabilities, both among counselors and provider networks

DVR Policy Solutions • Guidance to staff and the public from DVR leadership

on community-based assessments• Youth Transition On the Job Training (OJT)• Strengthening statewide training to new/existing DVR

staff on how to support individuals with the most complex disabilities (assumption that all are employable)

DPI Policy Barriers • No clear guidance on

LRE for youth in transition (ages 18-21)

• Inadequate pre-service preparation in transition

Long-Term Care Policy Barriers • Lack of competitive

employment focus in long-term care system

• Lack of understanding about the impact of employment on public benefits

Long-Term Care Policy Solutions• Changes to provider rates to

create incentives for employment outcomes (pay for performance)

• Increased focus on employment in managed care contract language

Long-Term Care Policy Solutions• Creating mentoring opportunities

among providers • Pursuing a pre-voc policy that

would prohibit/limit new entries to facility-based pre-voc

• Embed benefits counseling training into statewide long-term care system parent training and have benefits counseling expertise available at ADRCs

Practical Strategies for Engaging Policymakers• Making a solid case for change: using data, research

to create targeted asks• Focus on policymakers’ own interests• (play the players against each other)• Don’t take no for an answer: go to the next level

• Look at what is happening in the general population of youth regarding employment in your state

• Help policymakers make connections• Work in coalitions: create a “buzz”

Beth Swedeen, WI-BPDDbeth.swedeen@wisconsin.gov

Lisa Pugh, ADD Public Policy Coordinatorlisa.pugh@drwi.org