1. AmericanDreamEN.org PARTNERSHIPS Training for ADEN Members American Dream Employment Network (ADEN) American Dream Employment Network, a division of National Disability Institute, is an authorized Social Security Ticket to Work service provider.

2. AmericanDreamEN.org AGENDA Tips for a successful partnership ADEN Employer Partners Two best strategies promote partnerships Integrated Resource Team Partnership Plus with State VR agencies 2

3. AmericanDreamEN.org ADEN’S VIEW OF PARTNERSHIPS The strength of partnerships provides greater opportunity for systematic delivery of excellence Sole purpose is the benefit of our customer – the ADEN Participant Remember the Goal: Ticket to Work: “Employment support for the Beneficiary to increase self- sufficiency and reduce dependency on benefits” ADEN’s goal: “Building a better economic future for Americans with disabilities” Your Agency Mission Trust is absolutely necessary 3

4. AmericanDreamEN.org EXPANDING PARTNERS 4

5. AmericanDreamEN.org INVESTMENT BY ALL PARTNERS Each party must: Be willing to invest in the time necessary to work as a team and make a difference. Believe in the power of integrating efforts for the purpose of supporting a person and not building an agency. What’s in it for me? Need to be aware of: What motivates an agency to be a partner (shared mission) Perceived fears related to partnering (draw on staff time) Potential benefits (shared employment outcomes) 5

6. AmericanDreamEN.org ADEN EMPLOYER PARTNERS

7. AmericanDreamEN.org THE ROLE OF EMPLOYER PARTNERS Timing is right for Employer Partners Employers are recognizing a diverse workforce can be a strength Section 503 of Rehab Act applies to federal contractors > $10,000 contracts “….. prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of disability by Federal government contractors and subcontractors. Section 503 also requires that covered contractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.” If the federal government contracts are > $50,000 and have 50+ employees, contractors are also required to have evidence of recruitment efforts to candidates with disabilities. Memorandum of Agreement Spells out details of partnering arrangement Not a guarantee of employment for Participants Assists with S503 compliance 7

8. AmericanDreamEN.org TWO BEST EN STRATEGIES: INTEGRATED RESOURCE TEAMS AND PARTNERSHIP PLUS

9. AmericanDreamEN.org INTEGRATED RESOURCE TEAMS (IRT) An IRT is initiated on behalf of an individual with a disability who is experiencing multiple challenges in reaching an employment goal An IRT is an approach used for an INDIVIDUAL job seeker ◦ An IRT is NOT an interagency committee consisting of various disability/community agencies that focus on systems collaboration. ◦ The main purpose of an IRT is NOT resource mapping or to assist an individual to learn about various agency resources. ◦ Instead the purpose is to identify needed resources and appropriate and prioritized action steps to address specific, targeted barriers to employment 9

10. AmericanDreamEN.org IRT MEMBERS An IRT consist of members from a wide variety of community programs and service providers, including but not limited to: Case Manager (Medicaid, Public Workforce System, TANF) Behavioral Health provider Vocational Rehabilitation Independent Living Center ◦ Programs for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing or Commission for the Blind ◦ Community Work Incentives Coordinator ◦ Supported Employment Specialist ◦ Housing Provider ◦ Advocates /Friends of Job Seeker 10

11. AmericanDreamEN.org INTENT OF IRT MEETING Whenever possible, a face-to-face meeting should be arranged with the job seeker and the IRT members Reach consensus around key parameters: 1.A common employment goal 2.Exchange what each supports shared customer 3.Identify gaps and solutions needed to address barriers for employment 4.Assure a plan for continue communication to track progress and avoid delay 11

12. AmericanDreamEN.org PARTNERSHIP PLUS: THE PROCESS 12

13. AmericanDreamEN.org CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE DRIVING FORCE The focus needs to remain on the customer and not the money There are more individuals with Tickets than what either agency can serve at one time, therefore no competition Appropriate and readily available services is the goal with employment being the desired outcome The delivery system needs both State VR services and ENs Offering Partnership Plus to customers provides continuum of support and potential reduce recidivism, which is a wise investment for federally- funded programs 13

14. AmericanDreamEN.org KEY COMPONENTS OF PARTNERSHIP PLUS Everyone needs to gain an understanding and appreciation of which services are provided by both agencies Foremost, it is the individual’s choice and he/she owns the Ticket and voluntarily uses it as he/she decides on services Understanding the funding for state VR agencies is important (cost reimbursement) Understanding what ADEN brings to the table Value the services provided by each other 14

15. AmericanDreamEN.org FULL USE OF TICKET If a Ticket holder is on the VR waiting list, he/she can assign their Ticket to ADEN If the Ticket holder comes to top of VR waiting list and is offered services and accepts VR services, the Ticket will be unassigned by ADEN, and placed “in use” by VR If the Ticket holder has successful VR case closure, then can assign Ticket to ADEN again or for the first time Advantages during Ticket assignment and in use Supported by employment staff Ongoing protection of CDR while making progress 15

16. AmericanDreamEN.org 16 ADEN Post- Employment Flyer Serves as the ADEN flyer for VR partners Found on ADEN Site under Resources

17. AmericanDreamEN.org COMPARISON OF ADEN PRE AND POST- EMPLOYMENT SERVICES 17

18. AmericanDreamEN.org PARTNERSHIP PLUS LOGISTICS ADEN Administration will: Pursue a Partnership Plus agreement with all states in which ADEN Member is located Be responsible to negotiate and establish the agreement Once PP Agreement is in place, inform Members from the respective state and review the agreement ADEN Members will: With ADEN Administration, implement Partnership Plus agreement Record in the ADEN portal case notes if a Ticket assignment is a result of PP agreement 18

19. AmericanDreamEN.org PP CASE EXAMPLE Today: VR client gets an office job at medical clinic; Ticket is in use Mid-way through her employment, the VR counselor discusses with the client closing case after 90 days on the job, and explains value of moving her Ticket to an EN and provides choices of EN with a PP agreement The VR Client chooses ADEN and meets with the ADEN Member to develop IWP and assigns her Ticket immediately after VR case closure One Year Later: The Participant wants to take advantage of employer tuition assistance and go school to become a trainer for the clinic 19

20. AmericanDreamEN.org OUTCOMES…. The ADEN Member: Explores options to help finance purchasing books, including work incentives and other sources (tuition is covered by employer) Continues to provide receive benefits planning and work incentives advisement Assists Participant in updating her resume to apply for the trainer position, suggests she attends a workshop to refresh her interviewing skills, and together examine labor market information regarding wage negotiation Participant offered new trainer position and moves up the career ladder Successful Outcome for Everyone! The Participant is employed, supported and has moved up the career ladder VR is in position to receive Cost Reimbursement funding from SSA allowing agency to serve more people ADEN accepts a Ticket holder who is already placed on the job and receives Ticket payments for months the Participant is working over SGA 20

21. AmericanDreamEN.org ADEN Co-Directors of American Dream Employment Network (ADEN) Mary Lynn ReVoir Kevin Nickerson mlrevoir@ndi-inc.orgknickerson@ndi-inc.org 21