Alliance for Full Participation November 18, 2011

 Share data  Discuss role of self-advocates  Overview other activities  Discuss outcomes to date and next steps  Share 3 systems change tips  Answer questions

Number of Individuals in Integrated Employment Settings (Includes: Competitive Employment, Individual Supported Employment and Group Supported Employment) Source: Institute for Community Inclusion

Percent of Individuals in Integrated Employment Settings Source: Institute for Community Inclusion

Some Good News  The number of people receiving supported employment services is up (494 in FY10) BUT  Although the percent of people receiving supported employment has increased (35.9%), it’s still not where it was in 2001 (48%)

 Planning  Alaska Works Initiative  Supported Employment Action Plan  Peer Power  Alliance for Full Participation State Plan

 Helped plan and organize 3 federal job fairs  Sent information about the job fairs to the media  Put flyers up  Had a phone tree  Helped with set-up and take-down  Welcomed people  Wrote thank-you notes

 Planned and organized Peer Power meeting  Brought self-advocates together from around the state  Talked about ways working people could help non- working people and youth get and keep a job  Used Peer Power recommendations as a starting point for Alaska’s AFP State Plan

 2 nd Peer Power meeting scheduled for December  Discuss work done to date  Discuss what was learned at AFP Summit  Identify specific actions Peer Power members will take to help non-working adults and youth get and keep a job  Who, what, where, when and how

 Drafted supported employment standards  Provided input on waiver reapplication  Collaborated on other grants  DVR (Customized Employment Grant)  Division of Employment Security (Disability Employment Initiative)  Secured self-employment grant from Office of Disability Employment Policy  Helped plan annual Full Lives Conference  Secured funding to start 2 Project SEARCH pilot sites

 DVR policy changes  Discovery as a reimbursable service  Work Incentives Counseling as a reimbursable service  Self-employment policy more friendly to would-be entrepreneurs  Annual Full Lives Conference includes employment track  Expansion of Project SEARCH (3 sites)  1-stop job centers secure Employment Network status

 Continued policy development  Waiver Plan amendments  Training for individuals and families, providers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, care coordinators and State DD staff  Unemployment Insurance data run  Development of data tracking system  Development of Employment Network Partnership Plus arrangement with DVR

Systems Change Tip #1 A small investment can pay a BIG return  Invested around $5,000 for speaker at annual Transit Conference  Resulted in establishment of Alaska Mobility Coalition  Successfully advocated for state and federal funding  Influenced the passage of SAFETEA-LU  Governor created Coordinated Transportation Task Force

Systems Change Tip #2 “Glom” onto existing initiatives and activities  Had strong working relationship with Department of Education & Early Development (EED)  Joint goal to improve transition of youth with disabilities into jobs and adult life  EED provided 100% of Project SEARCH start-up costs  3 operational sites  2 other communities interested

Systems Change Tip #3 Tip #6: Sometimes it doesn’t take money  Influence State Plan priorities and strategies  DVR’s State Plan reflects AWI activities to improve employment outcomes of people with DD  Comment on proposed policy  DVR changed self-employment policy to make it more friendly to would-be entrepreneurs  Present results and data  DVR agreed to participate in development, implementation and evaluation of Project SEARCH