Why are we here??? DEI basic information TtW basic information Benefits to your center

Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) Jointly funded and administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010

Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) Builds upon the previous Disability Program Navigator initiative (PY ) Supports extensive partnerships, collaboration and service coordination

Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) 2010, DOL awarded over $22 million to nine states in the first round of DEI implementation 2011, another $21 million was awarded to seven states in the second round of DEI implementation

DEI: Current Grantees Round 1:Round 2: AlaskaCalifornia Arkansas Hawaii Delaware Ohio Illinois South Dakota Kansas Tennessee Maine Washington New JerseyWisconsin New York Virginia

DEI Goals The DEI is designed to: 1. Improve the education, training, and employment opportunities and outcomes for adults or youth with disabilities who are unemployed, underemployed, and/or receiving Social Security disability benefits. 2. Help these individuals with disabilities find a path into the middle class through exemplary and model service delivery by the public workforce system. (2011 DEI SGA)

Hmmm…. (Cause I really care)

Designed to assist Social Security (SSA) beneficiaries with a disability to return to work and become self- sufficient. SSA beneficiaries Ages are eligible to participate in Ticket to Work, and can assign their Ticket to an Employment Network (EN).

EN Services Required Core Services for ENs: Career Counseling Job Placement Long term follow up supports

Eligibility: Must be years of age Must be currently receiving SSI or SSDI Must have a desire to work and become self sufficient. Participation in the program is voluntary for beneficiaries.

Medical reviews waived 9 Month trial work period. S.S Benefits are gradually reduced as earnings increase. Keep Medicare or Medi-Cal benefits Expedited Reinstatement Participation Benefits

Benefits to your organization Increase disability data Increase participation in WIA Increase education to staff and clients