DISABILITY PROGRAM NAVIGATOR ORIENTATION Navigator Demonstration: The DOL and SSA Vision

2 Key Federal Staff U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Alexandra Kielty, Division Chief, Division of DisAbility and Workforce Programs, Employment and Training Administration SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Paula Foster-Pierce, Acting Director, Office of Program Development, Office of Program Development and Research Sally M. Zeller, Social Insurance Specialist, Office of Program Evaluation, Office of Program Development and Research

3 Disability Program Navigator (Navigator) The Navigator initiative is:  A two year demonstration project,  Jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (DOL) and the Social Security Administration’s Office of Program Development and Research (SSA),  Which includes training of Navigators, and  An evaluation of the Navigator initiative.

4 Work Incentive Grant Navigator  The Department of Labor is also funding Navigator positions through the Round III Work Incentive Grant projects in forty-two states.  In July 2004, the Department of Labor awarded approximately 25 new Round IV Work Incentive Grants.

5 New Freedom Initiative  Announced by President Bush on Feb.1,  A comprehensive program to promote employment and community participation of people with disabilities in all areas of society.  Requires Federal agencies to collaborate to make their programs more effective.  The Navigator effort has been undertaken in the spirit of the New Freedom Initiative.

6 Purpose The Navigator initiative is designed to:  Provide seamless and comprehensive services to persons with disabilities in One- Stop Career Centers.  Increase employment and self-sufficiency for Social Security beneficiaries and others with disabilities.  Facilitate access to programs and services.  Facilitate linkage to the employer community.

7 SSA Administers Two Programs Paying Benefits to People with Disabilities 1. Social Security Disability Insurance –SSDI (Title II) 2. Supplemental Security Income Program –SSI (Title XVI)

8 SSA Return to Work Efforts There are approximately 10 million SSI and/or SSDI disabled adult beneficiaries with payments totaling $85 billion annually. Historical rate of return-to-work success is ½ of 1% of the disabled beneficiary population.

9 Barriers to Employment for People with Disabilities  Lack of Medical assistance  Lack of knowledge about programs, services and supports  Housing needs  Transportation needs  Child care needs  Lack of skills  Employer attitudes

10 Keys to Employment for People with Disabilities  Medical benefits  Skills development  Housing and transportation supports  Child care  Assistive technologies and accommodation  Employer awareness

11 Law, Health Policy & Disability Center The Department of Labor has contracted with the Law, Health Policy & Disability Center (LHPDC) of the University of Iowa College of Law, to help build system capacity through: Training Technical Assistance and Information Evaluation

12 Navigators are trained on:  SSA employment support programs  One-Stop partner funded programs  Other programs that impact successful employment

13 WHAT A NAVIGATOR IS…  A resource  A facilitator  A problem solver  A systems change agent  A relationship builder

14 WHAT A NAVIGATOR IS NOT… Not a case manager Not a front-line staff person in a workforce center Not a Benefits Planning and Outreach Specialist Not a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

15 The Navigator will…  Assist people with disabilities to access and navigate the complex provisions of various programs that impact their ability to gain, return to, or retain employment.  Develop linkages and collaborate on an ongoing basis with employers to facilitate job placements for persons with disabilities.

16 The Navigator will…  Facilitate the transition of in- or out- of-school youth with disabilities to secure employment and economic self-sufficiency.  Conduct outreach to agencies and organizations that serve people with disabilities.

17 The Navigator will…  Serve as a resource on SSA’s work incentive and employment support programs and the provision of services through Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach organizations (BPAOs); Protection and Advocacy systems (P&As); and SSA’s employment-related demonstration projects.

18 The Navigator will…  Serve as a resource to the workforce investment community to ensure the availability of comprehensive knowledge of Federal, State, local and private programs that impact the ability of persons with disabilities to enter and remain in the workforce.

19 Navigator Core Competencies: Leadership – Types of Skills  Communication  Negotiation  Analytical Problem- Solving  Facilitation  Sensitivity  Capacity Building  Listening  Evaluation  Organization  Management

20 Navigator Core Competencies: Experience  Policy Development  Service Delivery Systems  Individual and Family Support  Training  Team Leader  Problem Solving  Systems Change

21 Navigator Anticipated Outcomes 1.Access to WIA Services:  Core Services  Intensive Services  Training Services  Individual Training Accounts (ITAs)

22 Navigator Anticipated Outcomes 2.Increased Employment:  Wages  Hours Worked Per Week  Retention 3.Increased customer satisfaction with workforce system for persons with disabilities.

23 Navigator Anticipated Outcomes  Mental Health Programs  Mental Retardation / Developmental Disability Programs  Independent Living Centers  Medicaid  BPAO  Housing  Transportation  Vocational Rehabilitation  Other Mandated One- Stop Partners 4.Expanded partner relationships (public):

24 Navigator Anticipated Outcomes 5.Expanded relationships with employers:  Internships  On-the-Job Training  Customized Job Development  Employment Opportunities  Accommodations Assistance 6.Increased use of the Ticket by Social Security beneficiaries

25 Navigator Anticipated Outcomes 7.Increase One-Stops becoming and linking with Employment Networks 8. Utilization of Work Incentives 9. Utilization of Benefits Counselors

26 Navigator Anticipated Outcomes 10. Utilization of Medicaid Buy In 11. Asset Development 12. Access to Technology 13. Self Employment

27 Navigator Anticipated Outcomes 14. Blended funding support for individual jobseekers with disabilities. 15. Improved service, system and funder collaboration.

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

29 One-Stop Toolkit for Serving People with Disabilities ETA’s Division of Disability and Workforce Programs developed the on-line toolkit to provide One-Stop system service providers with comprehensive and accessible information to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. The Toolkit provides one-stop access to disability-related statutes and regulations, and information and resources on accessibility, reasonable accommodation, assistive technology, physical access, and methods for modifying customer service practices to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

30 Social Security Administration Benefits for People with Disabilities The Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program.

31 Social Security Administration The Work Site This site provides information on promoting the employment of Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities and includes information for:  Youth with disabilities  Employers  Beneficiaries  Service Providers

32 Ticket to Work Program SSA has contracted with Maximus to conduct the day to day administration of the Ticket Program. This site provides Ticket information on: The Ticket Program; Employment Networks (including directories on ENs); Ticket Holders; and The Ticket Program and Youth in Transition.

33 Law, Health Policy & Disability Center Disability Program Navigator and Work Incentive Grantees c/projects/doltech.html The LHPDC has devoted a section of its website, to the work of the DPN and WIG grantees. Follow the bar on the right hand side of the page to review materials and presentations from various grantee conferences; review an index by subject matter of the One-Stop Toolkit Resources of the Week; review documents and reports produced by the LHPDC; and review information and, where available, listen to the audio archives of past audio conferences.

34 National Center on Workforce and Disability/Adult The National Center on Workforce and Disability/Adult (NCWD/Adult) provides training, technical assistance, policy analysis, and information to improve access for all in the workforce development system. NCWD's areas of expertise include: Designing access for all; Accommodations & assistive technology; Developing employer relationships; Helping customers find jobs; Job- related support; Legal requirements & guidelines; Partnerships & funding; Disability policy; and Marketing & outreach.

35 National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) assists state and local workforce development systems to better serve youth with disabilities. NCWD/Youth strives to ensure that youth with disabilities are provided full access to high quality services in integrated settings in order to maximize their opportunities for employment and independent living.

36 Workplace Supports This is the site for the NIDRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports. Work Support.com provides information, resources and research about work and disability issues. The purpose of this Center is to identify factors that enhance or inhibit businesses from tapping into a pool of potential employees.