Connecting with the Workforce System to Expand Access to Asset Building Services September 27, 2011 Presented by: Jamie Robinson, DEI Technical Assistance Team National Disability Institute and Rich Sanders, Program Coordinator - Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, Anchorage, AK

Connecting with the Workforce System AGENDA 2  Overview of Workforce System  Background on Disability Program Navigator Initiative  Examples of Economic Awareness Initiatives with Workforce System  Current asset development work under Disability Employment Initiative  Tips on Collaborating with local One-Stop Career Centers

 The passage of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) effective July 1, 2000 sent a powerful message that the training and employment needs of a diverse population of job seekers and employers would be met within a single, universal One-Stop Career Center system.  Programs and activities would be integrated and universally accessible to all, including job seekers with disabilities and/or other challenges to employment.  Since WIA, opportunities have been expanded to more job seekers with disabilities to receive assistance and intensive services that match abilities and interests with employers. 3

 The Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Initiative implemented in 2003 focused on the coordination of services to job seekers with multiple challenges to employment.  With the addition of Navigators in One-Stop Career Centers across the nation, universal access moved into the spotlight.  One underlying approach used by DPNs to broaden access was outreach and partnership-building.  Due to these efforts, partnerships were formed and strengthened with a multitude of other service systems. 4

 As resource-finders, DPNs set out to learn more about available asset-building programs and their impact on job seekers with disabilities.  DPNs helped to improve access to financial education, homeownership and entrepreneurial programs, and under- utilized tax provisions like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).  Through their widespread networks, DPNs worked to build a bridge between the financial and disability communities. 5

The San Diego DPN Experience – Increasing Awareness of Job Seekers with Disabilities on Benefits of Filing Taxes  DPN/One-Stop joined forces with Stakeholder, Partnerships, Education, and Communication (SPEC) Disability Initiative  Coalition was formed with IRS, World Institute on Disability and Work Incentives Planning & Assistance to launch city’s first Real Economic Impact Tour  As a result, more job seekers with disabilities in the region file annual tax returns, learn how to apply/save unexpected refunds to improve financial status, and better understand the interactions between tax credits and Social Security Disability work incentives 6

The Wisconsin DPN Experience – Increasing Financial Literacy of At-Risk Youth/Adults  DPN/One-Stops partnered with Milwaukee Builds, a program that helps at-risk youth/adults learn construction and self-sufficiency skills while building homes  Participants are later matched with employment opportunities, and because many have little to no experience managing income, financial literacy training is critical  Using Money Smart curriculum, participants developed financial skills and positive banking relationships, including managing debit cards, car loans, identity theft, and dealing with other complex issues 7

 The Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) builds upon promising practices of the DPN initiative.  Under the DEI, Disability Resource Coordinators (DRCs) will: ◦ Improve coordination and collaboration among employment and training and asset development programs carried out at a state and local level. ◦ Improve education, training, and employment opportunities and outcomes of youth and adults with disabilities who are unemployed, underemployed, and/or receiving Social Security disability benefits.  DEI Projects choose two or more service delivery components as major areas of focus; Asset development is selected by six of the nine projects. 8

9

10

Alaska DEI Experience – Financial Literacy, Free Tax Preparation and the EITC, Expanding Asset Building Coalitions, Individual Development Accounts  Financial Literacy  DRCs Partner with Financial Institutions to Bring Asset-building Strategies into One-Stop Career Centers  Collaborating with Wells Fargo Bank in Juneau to offer financial literacy classes in the One-Stops  Partnering with a community credit union, Mat Su Job Center to offer financial literacy training to One-Stop staff  Integrating FDIC Money Smart into website and resource room computers 11

 Free Tax Preparation ◦ Super Saturday Events (Anchorage 2011)  Expanding to other population centers (Fairbanks, Juneau, Wasilla) in 2012  Forum for local service providers and partners to connect with individuals with disabilities and/or low income populations  Outreach through listservs, flyers, radio ads, etc. 12

 Expanding Asset Coalitions ◦ Anchorage Financial Partnership Network ◦ State Asset Building Summit leading to “Hands Up” Coalition (starting 10/2011) ◦ Expanding local coalitions to more population centers in 2012 (Juneau, Fairbanks, Wasilla, Kenai, Bethel, Nome)  Promoting Individual Development Accounts ◦ Native and rural populations (unique to geographical and cultural needs) ◦ Individualized IDAs for specific populations (youth, people with disabilities, etc.) ◦ State Sponsored IDA program (more options for fund use, will need to ensure people with disabilities are included through policy change in asset limits) 13

Maine DEI Experience -- One-Stop Career Centers Advancing Economic Self Sufficiency for People with Disabilities  In June, held first Asset Summit in the Bangor area designed to address the integration of asset-building strategies with the needs of individuals with disabilities  From the Summit, the project has pulled together a work group that will continue to coordinate efforts similar to an asset coalition 14

 One-Stops serve low income jobseekers and provide financial literacy on a daily basis; they should also be encouraging use of free tax preparation and electronic filing services.  Many jobseekers with disabilities are unaware of the advantage of filing a tax return. Information about free tax preparation and the availability of EITC needs to be more widely disseminated to front-line staff.  The REI Tour—through One-Stops—in addition to individuals with disabilities can benefit a variety of targeted populations (e.g., youth, older workers, ex-offenders, TANF, ESL, Indian and Native Americans, migrant and seasonal farmworkers). 15

One-Stops may collaborate with the financial community by:  Offering workshops to low-income job seekers and partner organizations/service providers on the benefits of filing taxes and other asset-building tools  Pre-training tax preparers/volunteers in disability etiquette to work more effectively with job seekers with disabilities  Providing knowledgeable advocates to support both tax preparers and job seekers with disabilities in filing process  Outreaching to IDA providers, homeownership, entrepreneurial programs, and credit unions to provide assistance on expanding access to job seekers with a wide range of disabilities 16

 America’s Service Locator – Find workforce services in your area or across the country -- Or or TTY: http:// ◦ Enter a location to find a One-Stop Career Center  Local Workforce Investment Board -- oversees the One-Stop Career Centers  Disability and Employment Resources and Information ◦ Learn more about DEI Projects and how to contact them 17

 Promoting Economic Self-Sufficiency of Job Seekers with Disabilities – This Brief highlights strategies, resources and examples of how One-Stop Centers are helping to expand economic opportunities to jobseekers with disabilities.  Asset Development 30 Second Trainings -- short, easy and fun PowerPoint shows designed to increase knowledge of disability and employment related issues. This series was created to increase awareness of asset development strategies and resources to promote and support increased self-sufficiency and financial stability among individuals with low-incomes, including individuals with disabilities. 18

 Real Economic Impact Tour: TAX Facts + Campaign, “Building Healthy Economic Futures for Americans with Disabilities” ◦ DOL directive to the Workforce System on how Local Workforce Investment Boards and One-Stop Career Centers can participate in the REI Tour to promote financial literacy, economic self-sufficiency, and asset development for people with disabilities. 19

20 Questions, Tips and/or Lessons Learned on your experiences with the Workforce System?

21 Jamie Robinson, DEI Technical Assistance Team National Disability Institute P: E: Rich Sanders, Program Coordinator Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education Anchorage, AK P: E: Contact Information