sds, income, careers, micro-enterprise and employment: the possibilities are endless! shannon munn...
TRANSCRIPT
SDS, Income, Careers, Micro-Enterprise and Employment:
The Possibilities are Endless!
Shannon Munn – Pathways to IndependenceDoug Hunt – Dane County Human Services
“Every single person in this country has skills and talents to contribute to the workplace and every single person has an inherent right to work.”
Neil Romano, Assistant Secretary Dept of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy
Integrated Employment
Most people with disabilities served by the long-term care system are not working in integrated employment: most are currently unemployed or employed in facility-based settings, some making sub-minimum wages.
Facility-Based & Non-Work Services
(86%)
2002 stats for people with Developmental Disabilities(ICI)
Mixed Messages
Yes, you can…..
• IRIS and Family Care support meaningful work in the community for a competitive wage.
• With both Family Care and IRIS, you can take an individualized approach and customize your employment outcomes.
• Supported Employment is one but not the only means to find and maintain a job.
Citizens with disabilities have access to a broad range of support services for
integrated employment which may not
have been available before. For example:
– Family Care can pay for personal care in the workplace, which was not available under COP, CIP or MA card. IRIS is working on adding that feature through self-directed personal care.
– Family Care and IRIS cover the cost of transportation for people working in integrated employment.
– Family Care and IRIS can support microenterprise and self-employment.
– IRIS can purchase some necessary equipment, supplies, and services for work.
– “Daytime activities” can include mix of employment and non-employment activities, to reflect individual’s preferences.
– Facility-based pre-vocational and day services remain an option.
These support services can be creative, flexible and
individualized. Examples: • Equipment and Supplies for Work:
– IRIS’s Custom Goods and Services can purchase equipment and supplies needed to validate an employment (or self-employment) goal.
• On-the-Job Supports: – Paying employers and co-workers for training and long-term on on-the-
job supports. – Hiring a family member or supportive home staff to provide job
coaching supports
• Transportation:– Paying co-workers for transportation– mileage reimbursement for rideshare– using supportive home staff to drive you to work
Natural Supports
Can be part of our entry into SDS, or they can be something we develop along the journey of being more involved in our communities.
If I work I’ll lose my benefits!
Work Incentives
• A set of exclusions and policies from the Social Security Administration that help people with disabilities earn more money each month and keep their benefits.
• Some can be used to cover transportation costs, support costs, equipment needed for work and medical costs associated with work.
Work Incentives…..
• SSI - 1 for 2• MA through 1619(b)• MAPP – Medicaid Purchase Plan• IRWE – Impairment Related Work Expenses• SSDI - Subsidy• SSDI - Trial Work Period• SSDI - Extended Period of Eligibility • PASS – Plan to Achieve Self Support• PESS – Property Essential to Self Support
Plan to Achieve Self Support • A PASS allows people to set aside money to purchase
items and services needed to reach a work goal. • Money set aside is not counted as income or assets.• The funding is self-directed.• Must have a work goal and:
– SSI + earned or unearned income or
– SSDI + eligible for SSI and can live off of SSI payment
www.passonline.orgwww.passplan.org
Work Incentives come with a lot of jargon but the two most important things to remember
about them are…..
• People who receive SSI and SSDI can work and earn gainful income while maintaining Medical Assistance and other benefits that they need.
• There are trained benefits specialists offering free counseling services throughout Wisconsin.
Work Incentives Counselors
Find a Work Incentives Benefits Specialist in your area:
http://www.eri-wi.org/Benefits/FeeForService/CounselorsbyCounty.htm
How do we plan for something different?
1) Prioritize the person, not the program.
2) Know the options.
3) Anticipate the hurdles.
4) Know the resources.
5) Connect, connect, connect.
Prioritize the Person, Not the Program.
I attend and participate in my planning meetings.
I decide who attends my planning meetings and when they are.
I have a means to express my preferences and goals about work.
Team members listen to and respect my opinions and goals (even
when they may not agree with them).
Team members have a strengths and asset-based perspective about me .
Team members keep a “possibility” mindset, make community connections and bring in resources. (Especially when challenges/barriers arise).
Integrated Employment Options
Self-Employment“Owning a Business”
Wage-Employment“Getting a Job”
Applying forAdvertised & Available Jobs
Tapping the Hidden Job Market:
Using Personal Networks,Customized and Negotiated Jobs
Starting aSmall Business: Market-driven Opportunities
Microenterprise: Very small.
Selling a product or service based on your
interests and skills
Starting aMicroenterprise:
A very small business. Selling a product or service
based on yourinterests and skills
Where are the opportunities for citizens with significant
disabilities?
Most jobs are never advertised. Tap your network; follow the “threads of shared interest” with others.
You can create your own
work through self-employment. Ask your
“team” to help you plan.
Tapping the Hidden Job Market:
Using Personal Networks,Customized and Negotiated Jobs
Starting a microenterprise:
A very small business. Selling a product or service
based on yourinterests and skills
Why do people choose self-employment?
• Choice and Control• Independence and
Creative Freedom• Natural Skills/Talents• Inclusion and Connections• Expanded Work
Opportunity• Availability of Supports• Accumulation of Wealth
Examples of businesses owned by citizens with disabilities:
• Food and Snack Delivery
• Dog Treat Bakery• Gift Baskets• Outsourced Clerical
Work• Musician• Artists/Crafters• Jewelry makers• Dog waste pick up
• Media Conversion• Small Volume Shredding• Errand Running/Courier
Services• Button Making• Sewing and Alterations• Recycling• Lawn Care• Vending• E-bay/Amazon sales• More!
Anticipate the Hurdles.Employment MythsSheltered WorkshopLong-term SupportPresumptive & Deficit-based thinkingLack of skilled job developersBenefit Concerns Transportation BarriersHealth/Safety Concerns Adaptations and AccommodationsEmployers MisconceptionsIsolation/Lack of ConnectionsSchool/Program Hesitation/Resistance to New IdeasOthers…..
Know the Resources.• All the MCO’s have Employment Coordinators and SDS
Coordinators• “Employment Specialist” with IRIS• DVR’s Client Assistance Program• Local SDS Coaches and Peer Groups• Family Care Ombudsman Program – Disability Rights
Wisconsin • Lots of sources for Technical Assistance: Start-UP-USA, Job
Accommodation Network, Pathways to Independence, Self-Determination Wisconsin
• http://www.eri-wi.org/work.htm• More!
Connect, Connect, Connect.
This is tough work, you don’t have to go it alone.
Establish an “Employment Resource Team”: a self-directed, team approach leads to better outcomes.
L V-Dane
Creative use of Self-Directed Services to meet support needs on the job:
The Partners with Business Initiative
Dane County, Wisconsin
Partners with Business
Thorough Environmental and Task Assessments
Partners with Business
Thorough Environmental and Task Assessments
Rigorous Systematic Instruction
Partners with Business
Thorough Environmental and Task Assessments
Rigorous Systematic Instruction
Paid Co-Worker Supports
Doug Hunt, Dane County Human Services
(608) 242-6358
Shannon Munn, Pathways to Independence
(608) 318-0700