Implementing Oregon’s Employment First Policy Expectations of Executive Order 13-04: Implementing Oregon’s Employment First Policy

Presented: YTP Statewide Conference February 20, 2014 Mike Maley, Department of Human Services (DHS) Mitch Kruska, Department of Education (ODE) Stephaine Taylor, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Overview The Employment First Movement Executive Order (EO) 13-04 & the Youth Transition Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Partner agencies Mutual and agency responsibilities What each agency will do What you can do Questions and discussion

The Employment First Movement All people with disabilities can work: At integrated jobs; For at least minimum wage or industry standard pay; And participate in community Systems-change to promote integrated employment as a priority of day services by: Aligning policies with real job outcomes Creating guidance for service coordinators Updating rate setting methods and structures

Employment For People With Disabilities in Oregon Oregon’s Employment First policy (2008) Office of Disability & Employment Policy (ODEP) grant (2012-2014) Lane v. Kitzhaber lawsuit (filed in 2012 and ongoing) SB22B (2013) The Executive Order 13-04 (April 16, 2013) Transition Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (May 16, 2013)

Executive Order 13-04 DHS (VR and ODDS) and ODE shall work: “…to further improve Oregon’s systems of designing and delivering employment services to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities …” Work “toward fulfillment of Oregon’s Employment First Policy,” including Reduced state support of sheltered work over time Increased investment in employment services (April 16, 2013)

EO Target populations Working age individuals with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in sheltered workshops School age children and transition age youth with IDD who are found eligible for Developmental Disability and/or Vocational Rehabilitation services School age children and transition age youth in public schools eligible for Special Education and related services

Youth Transition MOU “Youth with disabilities will leave school with a post-secondary education plan or integrated inclusive employment at minimum wage or greater.” The Office of Developmental Disability Services Vocational Rehabilitation Oregon Department of Education Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), ¶4.1 (May 16, 2013)

Office of Developmental Disability Services Provides community-based supports and services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Eligible individuals and their families can access service coordination and a variety of other services, including appropriate employment supports.

Vocational Rehabilitation Mission: Assist Oregonians with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and independence. Eligible individuals can access a wide range of employment services and supports including: Job search assistance, On the job training, and Assistive technology.

OR Department of Education Special Education is governed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Ensures that all children with disabilities have available to them a free and appropriate public education that: Requires special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and Prepares them for further education, employment, and independent living choices. 20 USC 1400(d)(1)(A)(emphasis added)

OR Council on Developmental Disabilities Authorized under the DD Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 to: Assure that individuals and families have a voice in systems change “Engage in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that … Promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life” 42 USC 15001(b)(1)

Mutual Responsibilities Work with Policy Group to design and implement multiple strategies to accomplish full implementation of this order Allocate responsibility, funding commitments and authority to ensure agency performance Explore ways to leverage or co-invest resources Coordinate outreach efforts to target populations Collaborate with brokerages, county DD programs and service providers to achieve goals

Employment Services ODDS and VR will: Create policies that require evidence-based and individualized employment services Base employment services on each person’s capabilities, choices and strengths Provide such employment services to at least 2,000 people over the next nine years beginning July 1, 2014 Executive Order 13-04, Sec. IV

Career Development Planning ODDS and VR Actions Focus career planning on strengths, abilities, choices and the greatest number of work hours Focus vocational assessments on interests, strengths and abilities for a good job match Develop career plans for people in sheltered workshops who will receive employment services and for youth before they leave school Policies will “include presumption that all individuals in the ODDS/VR target populations are capable of working in an integrated employment setting” Executive Order 13-04, Sec. VI

Training ODDS and VR will: By July 1, 2014, establish competency-based training standards for all specified employment services By July 1, 2016 only purchase employment services from agencies or providers qualified to provide such services under the new standards Executive Order 13-04; Sec. VI

Outreach and Awareness ODDS and VR will: Develop an outreach and education program by January 1, 2014 to: Explain benefits of employment Address concerns of families Address perceived obstacles to participating in employment services Encourage individuals and families to ask for employment services Executive Order 13-04, Sec. VII

Provider Capacity ODDS and VR will: Make efforts to ensure there are enough qualified employment service providers to deliver services and supports Make the best use available resources in their budgets to do so Executive Order 13-04, Sec. VIII

ODE will: Appoint staff to focus on system-change in schools and communities Establish Statewide Transition Technical Assistance Network to assist transition services in schools Support legislative or rule changes to prohibit local education agencies from contracting for assessments in sheltered workshops

OCDD will: Educate self-advocates, families and others about high expectations for employment Engage self-advocates and families in the Employment First movement Invest in strategies to achieve integrated employment outcomes Oregon Family Networks Person Centered Plan Facilitator Training We know that having high expectations of yourself is the key to success. In short, if you believe you can – you will. High expectations from others (parents, teachers, friends, case managers, providers, etc.) is also critical factor for success. Focus on the vision; behaviors will follow Self-determination Independence Productivity, Integration, Inclusion Presumed employability – All means all – These expectations apply to all people with disabilities – including those with significant disabilities

Successful Transition Through Collaboration Student & Family ODE OCDD ODDS VR

What to expect No more funding or buying assessments in sheltered workshops by 7/1/14 No more funding or buying sheltered workshop placements for: Transition age youth with I/DD by 7/1/15 Adults who are newly eligible for services by 7/1/15 Adults who have services but not in sheltered workshops by 7/1/15 Employment Services rule changes Executive Order 13-04, Sec. III and IX

What to expect Provider, case manager and agency training DHS “Integrated Employment Plan” by 11/1/13 New quality improvement initiative by 7/1/14: Promote Employment Services Evaluate quality of Employment Services Twice a year progress analysis with data analysis and quality improvement activities Executive Order 13-04, Sec. IX, XII, XIII

What to expect Policies for Career Development Planning Core competency requirements for Employment Service providers by 1/1/14 Between 7/1/14 and 7/1/22, DHS will provide employment services to at least 2,000 people Joint trainings and best practices outreach between ODE, ODDS, VR and OCDD Executive Order 13-04, Sec. V, VI, IV MOU, ¶5 (May 16, 2013)

What you can do VR Counselors: Attend skill development trainings Encourage providers to attend trainings Participate in IEP meetings as soon as possible Teachers and Special Education Directors: Help IEP teams build strong transition plans Collaborate with partners, pilot projects and families

What this means for you DD Case Managers and Personal Agents: Attend skill building trainings Participate in IEP meetings Manage DD employment supports for students who find paid jobs while still in school Families and Students: Invite VR Counselor and DD Case to IEP meetings Request services that will lead to a job or post-secondary education, including meaningful work experiences.

Questions?

Contact information Michael J. Maley Oregon Department of Human Services mike.j.maley@state.or.us Sally Simich Oregon Department of Education Sally.Simich@state.or.us Keith Ozols Vocational Rehabilitation Keith.s.ozols@state.or.us Jaime Daignault Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities jdaignaultocdd@gmail.com