1 Building Partnerships and Collaboration at the State-Level Strategic Service Delivery Component Disability Employment Initiative

Building Partnerships and Collaboration at the State-Level Hosted/Presented by: Jamie Robinson NDI Technical Assistance Team Brian Ingram Program Manager, Worksystems, Inc.

Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) DEI Projects are required to establish and coordinate partnerships with other state level agencies that may be critical to the success of education, training, and employment activities. Training and Technical Assistance to DEI Projects in effectively coordinating partnerships at the state-level is provided under U.S. DOLETA contract with NDI Consulting, Inc. and the National Disability Institute (NDI). Evaluation of the impact of DEI Projects’ implementation and outcomes in effectively coordinating partnerships at the state- level will be provided under U.S. DOL ODEP contract with Social Dynamics.

Training Objectives Upon completion of this webinar, DEI Projects will have information to move forward in establishing and coordinating partnerships by: Considering how state-level partnership and collaboration impact other strategic components of the DEI Re-evaluating interagency relationships that have been established at the state-level with a focus on DEI goals and expected outcomes Considering the distinctions between networking and partnership and collaboration Considering the steps or phases in fostering and sustaining interagency partnership and collaboration Considering how state-level interagency committees can strengthen systems relationships at the local service delivery level Considering other ways that state DEI teams can guide and support local-level DEI efforts in partnership and collaboration

Vision of DEI Improve coordination and collaboration among employment and training and asset development programs implemented at state and local levels, including the Ticket to Work Program, and Build effective community partnerships that leverage public and private resources to better serve individuals with disabilities and improve employment outcomes.

Components of DEI REQUIRED DEI COMPONENT Establish & coordinate state-level partnerships 7 DEI PROJECTS Partnerships & Collaboration Approach ALL DEI PROJECTS Integrated Resource Team Approach 7 DEI PROJECTS Blending/braiding funds, leveraging resources

Re-Evaluating Partnerships How have you approached partners in the past? Individually? As part of an interagency group? As equal members of a larger governing body? Do your relationships in the community most closely resemble networking or collaboration? What are the current goals and outcomes associated with these relationships? How will the specific requirements outlined in your DEI contracts be impacted by what already exists? How could your relationships in the community be modified or expanded to help you reach DEI goals?

Moving toward Partnership & Collaboration Interagency Networking Interagency Partnership and Collaboration Reaching Consensus (internally) Initiating Collaboration (externally) Implementing Goals Sustaining Collaboration

Interagency Networking Information Exchange Organization Visibility Marketing and Outreach Coordinating and Cooperating Developing Trust Expanding Network

Examples of Interagency Networking A group that functions only as a forum for member updates and/or for promotion of organization services A group whose activities do not lead to significant systems impact A group with no established purpose or authority beyond convening A group composed of members who advocate solely for their own established positions, who do not engage in problem solving, or make resource commitments toward the attainment of shared goals

Interagency Partnership & Collaboration Close cooperation, trust & communication Shared vision/mission jointly established Specified goals defined Shared & prompt decision making Negotiation & coordination of resources, services and/or funding All partners accountable for outcomes Results in measurable outcomes for the systems involved Ability to anticipate & manage change

Fostering Partnership & Collaboration Reaching Consensus Reach consensus within your own system first Know what your system is interested in attaining Have a clear idea of what you can bring to the table as leverage Have full authority to negotiate within clearly defined parameters

Fostering Partnership & Collaboration Initiating Collaboration Use the initial meeting to establish a shared goal and a specific, goal-based strategy Clearly define the role of each collaborative member Negotiate resources, services and/or funds that organizations can commit to contributing Establish a timeline linked to specific outcome goals

Fostering Partnership & Collaboration Implementing Goals Clearly communicate state-level expectations to regional/local level on timeline of goals, recommendations and expected outcomes Provide specific guidance and support to regional/local level when establishing a new model or set of practices Develop clear measures of effectiveness Monitor, measure, learn, communicate and innovate

Fostering Partnership & Collaboration Sustaining Collaboration Define a level of systems impact substantial enough to warrant ongoing contribution beyond the life of project funding Work to establish a method to measure the systems impact of the project that is relevant to all contributing parties Develop your sustainability plan at the same time as your project plan, roll them out together

Possible Roadblocks to Partnership & Collaboration Lack of relationship building & trust Lack of common interest & values Lack of purpose, mission & specific goals Lack of leadership Lack of communication; unclear about roles Lack of resources & time The fear of loss of position, power & resources Lack of an investment culture-we don't always think about the future (we are here and now focused, crisis oriented)

Benefits of Partnership & Collaboration Leverage strengths Share responsibility Gain competencies Increase potential for innovation Enhance competency sets Increase access to pooled resources Develop organizational relationships that redefine customer base and outcomes obtained as shared Obtain consensus around goals that meet outcome requirements of multiple systems and funding streams Increased capacity to effectively serve shared customers and achieve greater positive outcomes

Building Partnership & Collaboration Questions, tips, and/or lessons learned in partnership and collaboration? A: Submit it to the host in writing via the Chat or Q&A Box to the right, or… B: Click on the “raise hand” icon to have your line un-muted and ask your question/make your comment.

State-Level Interagency Committees State-level groups that target specific outcomes can strengthen interagency relationships at the local service delivery level by: Clarifying goals, identifying resources and setting expectations that carry the final, or close to final, approval Supporting regional/office staff to feel confident in engaging and partnering with interagency staff around shared customers Identifying and disseminating best practices Authorizing, resourcing and standardizing goals and outcomes for local-level Interagency Committees

Building Partnership & Collaboration at the Local-Level DRCs can build interagency partnership and collaboration at the local-level by: Networking and resource mapping to expand potential for more intensive partnership and collaboration Re-evaluating partnerships and collaborations already established with goals and outcomes specific to DEI Reaching consensus within organization on goals, resource commitment and anticipated outcomes Initiating collaboration and implementing goals Measuring impact and sustaining systems collaboration

Local-Level Interagency Committees Strategy that DRCs can use to build interagency partnership and collaboration that: Allows open forum for direct communication Builds trust among partners Provides opportunity for education, training and cross- agency coordination Encourages agencies to be a part of the solutions Provides forum to share successes and improved outcomes Provides assistance and feedback to better meet the needs of job seekers with disabilities

Objectives for Local-Level Interagency Committees Assist DRC in carrying out strategic service delivery components of DEI: Partnerships and Collaboration Integrating Resources and Services, Blending and Braiding funds, Leveraging Resources Integrated Resource Team (IRT) approach Address physical, programmatic and communication access within public workforce investment system and partner systems Streamline interagency referral processes and maximize resources Coordinate job development and marketing approach to employers

Building Partnership & Collaboration at the Local-Level DEI SRATEGIC SERVICE DELIVERY COMPONENTS 7 DEI PROJECTS Partnerships & Collaboration Approach Steps in collaboration Interagency committees ALL DEI PROJECTS Integrated Resource Team Approach Identifying job seekers with multiple resource needs Career mapping process 7 DEI PROJECTS Blending/braiding funds, leveraging resources Effective practices/models

Summary Building partnerships and collaboration at the state-level is an integral part of the DEI that can impact the implementation of strategic service delivery components Consider re-evaluating interagency relationships under DEI, potentially re-defining goals, re-committing shared resources/funds and re-setting outcomes Consider the stages of interagency relationships, including networking and moving toward a closer level of partnership and collaboration Consider ways in which state-level interagency committees can strengthen systems relationships at the local service delivery level Consider other ways that state DEI teams can guide and support local- level efforts in partnership and collaboration

Building Partnership & Collaboration Questions, tips, and/or lessons learned in partnership and collaboration? A: Submit it to the host in writing via the Chat or Q&A Box to the right, or… B: Click on the “raise hand” icon to have your line un-muted and ask your question/make your comment.

Contact Information Brian Ingram Worksystems, Inc. Portland, OR (503) Jamie Robinson NDI Technical Assistance Team (860)