Full InclusionUsing Work Incentives to Increase IncomeMarch 27, 2013

DOL – Rapid CityDan Rounds & Shelly Pfaff

What did we learn through the Freedom to Work Project?

0Available agencies and services are fragmented.

0Agency staff often have employment as ‘one’ piece of all they do in support of a person.

0People are given contradictory messages.0Available services and systems are complex –

hard to figure out.0People have lower employment expectations

of people with disabilities.0Being ‘job ready’ doesn’t necessarily mean

being perfect.

The Cycle of LabelingSource: Reach for the Dream! Developing Individual Service Plans for Persons with Disabilities

Second Edition by Dale DiLeo

Labeling

Negative Stereotype

Low Expectations

Reduced Opportunitie

s

Poor Performance

Traditional Testing leads to

Jerrid’sStory

JerridLabeled with ADHD

0Behavior Problems0Difficulty Reading0Poor Test Taker0Difficulty Sitting for Long Period of Time

0Difficulty with Homework Assignments

0Poor Writing Skills

Jerrid’s First Deer

Jerrid’sNew Label

AHDAttention to Hunting Deer

Jerrid worked for Evergreen Caisson, Inc. He drilled holes (up to 80 feet deep) for electrical substations.

This would be like you see near the powerhouse at the Oahe Dam.

This photo of Jerrid was for an electrical sign on I70 in Colorado.

Thanks so much for sharingJerrid’s ‘story’ with your

teachers. He has worked very hard thepast several years and has

overcome many adversities too.I am really proud of him.”

- Nancy (Jerrid’s Mom)

To work or not…

What do people with disabilities who work say?

I am self-sufficientbecause I work!

0Nearly everyone commented that working allowed them to provide for themselves and their families.

0Working enabled them to have a home, transportation, health insurance, personal care, even a retirement fund.

Work provides satisfaction to my life!

0Everyone interviewed spoke about the satisfaction they experienced from working.

0Many expressed joy about being able to give back to others and to society.

0They took great pride in making a difference, helping others to reach their potential.

Work improves my health!

0Many people reported improved physical and mental health because they worked.

0Work taught them to “deal with life’s ups and downs.”

0Persons with mental health disabilities and cognitive disabilities and those with traumatic brain injuries most often credited work with keeping their minds off their disability and giving them a reason to get up and out.

Work connects me to others!

0The opportunities to meet, help and play with others through their work were highly valued by many of the people interviewed.

0People become part of social networks at work.

0Work reduced isolation and brought greater awareness of the world around them.

Work empowered me!

0Each could see that they made a difference in the world.

0“My voice counts.”0“I am a part of something bigger.”0“I am a contributing member of society.”

0“People look up to me because of the work I do.”

0It felt good to be at the “table when decisions are made.”

Working makes me a good role model!

0For some it was the chance to be a good role model for their kids – teaching them that work is important.

0For others it was the opportunity to demonstrate that people with disabilities can be independent and contribute in the workplace.

Lessons Learned!

0Work helps me grow as a human being!0People earned awards and

commendations for their work, and they acknowledged the impact of praise and acknowledgement upon their self-image.

0People discovered they were smart, needed and people liked them.

0They learned they were just like everyone else – they could “make mistakes and fix them;” face their fears and reassure themselves.

0Government benefits alone do not pay enough to have a choice in your lifestyle.

0“Work was way beyond money” in importance.

0Finally, as one said, “I refuse to live my life within the boundaries of low expectations.”

Common Myths about SSI and Work

0 If I work over 20 hours a week, I’ll lose my SSI.

0 If I earn over $1,000 a month, I’ll lose my SSI.

0 If I lose my SSI check, I lose my Medicaid.0 I can’t work more hours because I’ll lose

my SSI.0 I can’t accept a raise because I’ll lose my

SSI.0 If I get an overpayment letter, I should quit

my job.

What can You Do?

0You know your community – the types of businesses and the labor market – that’s a great starting point!

0 A next step – do ‘job analysis’ – look more deeply at the available job market.

0 Assist young adults and the business community in their own discovery process – what are their employment goals and needs - how can they fulfill both.

What are Some Ways We can Do This?

0Be creative in exploring the person’s interests and the business’ needs.

0Negotiate using the person’s skills and strengths and the business’ needs (value exchange).

0Carve jobs out of existing jobs.0Create jobs that are needed but do not

currently exist.0Establish a business ‘within’ a business.0Look into self-employment and other

entrepreneur initiatives.

What Supports are Availablein South Dakota?

0South Dakota has a new category of Medicaid – Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD)

0South Dakota has benefit specialists in Sturgis, Pierre, Yankton and Aberdeen who can assist you with exploring the impact of employment on benefits you receive.

0South Dakota has Personal Assistance Services available both in the home and at work.

0Over 2,700 individuals have received training on employment and benefits.

0Employer Resource Networks are up and running in various communities throughout the state.

0Career Development Teams have assisted several individuals to explore, attain and maintain successful employment as a part of their lives.

0Project SEARCH is up and running in various communities throughout the state.

0Provider training on Work Incentives continues to be offered statewide.

If I want to learn more aboutMedical Assistance for Workers

with Disabilities

Contact

Your local vocational rehabilitation office

Your local department of social services office

or 1.800.210.0143

If I want to learn more about the SD Benefits Specialist Network

Contact

South DakotaBenefits Specialist Network

1.800.224.5336 ext. 221

If I want to learn more about Work Incentive Training for

ProvidersContact

Brooke LuskBlack Hills Special Services Cooperative

1.800.224.5336

or

Shelly PfaffSD Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities

1.800.210-0143

Everybody Works! Everybody Wins!

0People with disabilities have more income, which enables them to have greater choices in their lives.

0Businesses have an increased pool of potential employees.

0Communities have increased diversity and gain from the uniqueness each individual brings to the community.

To work or not…

It’s a choice!

Contact Information

Black Hills Special Services Cooperative221 South Central Avenue

Pierre, SD 575011.800.224.5336

SD Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities221 South Central Avenue

Pierre, SD 575011.800.210-0143

Website: http://ftw/sd-ccd.org

Thank You!