1. Division of Workforce Development & Adult Learning (DWDAL)
Carolynnette Scott
Disability & Youth Services Coordinator
Teara Winmond
DEI Program Manager
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2. What is the Disability Employment Initiative?
The Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) was established in 2010  to expand the capacity of the American Job Centers to assist individuals with significant disabilities by improving education, training, and employment outcomes. It is jointly funded by US DOL’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).
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3. What is the purpose of DEI?
The purpose of DEI is to expand the capacity of American Job Centers (AJCs) to improve education, training, and employment outcomes for:
Adults (ages 18 and older) with visible and non-visible disabilities including those who have acquired disabilities in adulthood
Youth (ages 14-24) with visible and non-visible disabilities, including those who have chronic health conditions
Individuals (ages 14 and older) with significant disabilities (2014).

4. How is DEI Being Implemented in Maryland?
This is the first time DEI has been implemented in the state of Maryland. Maryland is in Round VII of the federal DEI program. DEI will be implemented in both Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties to leverage partnerships promoting the participation of individuals with disabilities in the currently-offered American Job Center (AJC) programs. American Job Center staff will provide flexible approaches to designing and providing training, supportive services, and innovative workplace strategies to job seekers with significant disabilities.

5. “Working for Marylanders with Disabilities”
How is DEI Being Implemented in Maryland? cont…
Maryland’s DEI Projected is titled:
“Working for Marylanders with Disabilities”
Awarded from October 2016 – April 2020
Implemented in Anne Arundel and Montgomery Counties
Targeted population is individuals, ages 14 and over, with significant disabilities.

6. “Working for Marylanders with Disabilities”?
Who Qualifies for
“Working for Marylanders with Disabilities”?
Maryland DEI supports jobseekers, ages 14 and older that reside in Anne Arundel County or Montgomery County with significant disabilities* as defined by receiving or having:
• Supplemental Security Income,
• Social Security Disability Insurance, and/or
• A physical, sensory, mental, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disability requiring at least one of the following to obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment at or above minimum wage:
Significant accommodations,
Significant supports, and/or
Customization of job responsibilities.
*Significant Disabilities as defined by Maryland Round VII DEI.

7. “Working for Marylanders with Disabilities”?
What are the Goals for
“Working for Marylanders with Disabilities”?
To increase the number of individuals with disabilities entering competitive integrated employment via services at the American Job Centers (AJC)
To improve accessibility of the AJC’s involved

8. “Working for Marylanders with Disabilities”? cont…
What are the Goals for
“Working for Marylanders with Disabilities”? cont…
To increase the competency level and number of skilled staff in the AJC’s to serve individuals with significant disabilities.
To develop career pathways systems and programs to equip individuals with disabilities with skills, competencies, and credentials necessary to help them be competitive in the workforce.
To create a more robust workforce system to serve individuals with disabilities within the state of Maryland by addressing the needs of businesses.

9. Indicators and Outcomes
Outcomes
Total number of individuals with significant disabilities to be served
150
Total number receiving career services
Total number entering occupational training in a career pathways program
90 (60%)
Total number completing training in a career pathways program 75
Total number of individuals receiving an industry recognized certification
Total Number entering unsubsidized employment 85
Total hourly wage rate expected
$9.00
Retention rate
65%

10. Targeted Industry Sectors
Construction
Healthcare
Professional & Technical
Retail

11. How Do Jobseekers Benefit?
Both the Anne Arundel and Montgomery county American Job Centers (AJCs) will have Disabilities Resource Coordinators (DRCs) to assist qualified jobseekers as they integrate into the full range of services and incentives offered through the AJCs. Such services include but are not limited to:
Enhanced case management,
Job Search workshops,
Linkage to Ticket to Work Assistance/Benefits Counseling, and/or
Job Placement Assistance
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12. What is the ROLE of the Disability Resource Coordinator?
Disability Resource Coordinators (DRC) will provide individualized services to qualified DEI participants in need of more significant support for job placement. They will help to determine necessary services needed for jobseekers to achieve their employment goals. The DRC’s role is to:
• Act as an advocate for the individual job seeker,
• Increase access to all of the services offered at the AJC,
• Assist with coordinating services with AJC staff,
• Coordinate an Integrated Resource Team (IRT), if needed,
• Provide referral assistance as needed, and
• Collaborate with local partners to coordinate services for job seekers.

13. DEI Strategic Approaches
Blending and braiding of funds and leveraging of resources to promote the participation of individuals with disabilities;
Providing flexible approaches to designing and providing training, supportive services, and innovative workplace strategies;
Expanding the public workforce development system’s capacity to become an Employment Network for beneficiaries under the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program; and
Creating systemic change

14. Significant Components of DEI
Disability Resource Coordinator (DRC)
Cohesive Resource Committees (CRC)
Integrated Resource Team (IRT)
Enrollment into WIOA career pathways
AJC’s operating as Employment Networks (EN)
AJC’s and partners receiving training from national
experts in Customized Employment
Cross-training of staff with partner agencies
Business Services Representatives from state and local agencies collaborating to meet the needs of businesses.

15. What Training is Offered to AJC Staff & Partners?
“Disability 101” – to include proper etiquette when working with individuals with disabilities, awareness training, “people first” language
Workplace Accommodations – disability disclosure techniques, types of accommodation, definition of reasonable accommodations, etc. 
Financial Literacy and Asset Development – resources available such as individual development accounts (IDA’s), ABLE accounts, Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), Plans to Achieve Self Support (PASS) incorporating how to provide financial education and goal setting, budgets, etc. 

16. What Training is Offered to AJC Staff & Partners? cont…
Customized Employment – a flexible process designed to personalize the employment opportunity for a job seeker. Ultimately the skills achieved through this training will serve to develop win/win situations for staff, employers and job seekers alike.
Discovery – offered to assist with providing the necessary knowledge, tools and techniques to educate staff so that our efforts are more effective and beneficial. The assessment process be introduced as the foundation of career planning and will include training on structuring the process.
Access to Resources – local partners will provide training regarding how to access their services, collaborate and promising practices for working with various customers.

17. Partnerships & Collaboration
Local Workforce Development Areas
Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation
WorkSource Montgomery
Maryland State Department of Education
Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
Division of Special Education & Early Intervention Services
Maryland Department of Disabilities - The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) 
Maryland Department of Health (MDH) 
Maryland Behavioral Health Administration (BHA)
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

18. DEI Is Not…
DEI is not a stand-alone job seeker program. It is to ensure that the AJC is accessible to accommodate various disabilities and that the staff is trained on the use of accessibility equipment and trained on the needs and accommodations that individuals with significant disabilities may require for employment.
DEI is not special training courses, offered exclusively to job seekers with disabilities. Individuals with significant disabilities will receive the same job placement and or training support available to all job seekers in the AJC. The DRC will work with the Integrated Resource Team to assist in determining if additional partner resources, accommodations, or job task adjustments are needed for successful employment

19. DEI Is Not…cont…
DEI is not a separate job placement path, it is to ensure that individuals with significant disabilities are afforded accommodations and resources necessary to achieve their employment goals through the exiting Career Pathways at the AJCs.
DEI is not an additional program that requires a separate outreach to employers. The business support professionals will need to be prepared for questions from employers in reference to wage laws, tax credit and in some cases insurance, etc. Outreach efforts under DEI are about making businesses comfortable with the idea that some of the most qualified job seekers may have a significant disability which may require accommodates to complete the job tasks, but are fully capable of completing the requirements of any job for which they apply through the AJC.

20. DEI Updates
Both local and state CRC meetings are being held regularly and partnerships are growing as more organizations become aware of DEI.
We are currently seeking working with Adult Education to get approval to implement CASAs that are designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities as an alternate form of testing for those that cannot successfully complete the standard tests.
Cross-training among partner organizations is being implemented to ensure an understanding of partner services and how they can work together to serve our population.

21. DEI Updates cont…
Customer Outreach materials that also function as a warm transfer to the AJC from partner organizations has been implemented.
Customized Employment trainings by Griffin-Hammis has begun. One local area Administrator has made training mandatory for certain staff.
Feedback from the NDI Technical Assistance as well as ODEP is that the Maryland Round VII DEI grant is progressing well. The communication is in place to continue to develop the processes and procedures to better serve individuals with significant disabilities in the American Job Center

22. DEI In Action
Job Seeker - In the past, LD participated in a few of the training programs offered by the Anne Arundel AJC but, was able to complete all of the requirements for “successful completion outcome” or employment. due to barrier as a result of her disability. She came back into the AJC this summer and disclosed a disability and was referred to the DRC for DEI assistance.
Collaboration - The DRC was concerned that her current emotional and physical conditions might present barriers to full-time employment again. Through active resource coordination, it was determined that she was also working with DORS and had a supported employment with a job coach. She is also working with a therapist to manage symptoms of her disability that cause barriers to working full-time.

23. DEI In Action cont…
IRT - The DRC formed the Integrated Resource Team to work with the partner agencies to address her barriers to employment. It was determined that a work and learn opportunity could address LD’s concerns of needing training while also slowly preparing her for full-time re-entry into the workforce.
Braiding of Resources –
WIOA Title I
Vocational Rehabilitation (DORS)
Mental Health
Supported Employment/Job Coach
Benefits Counseling
Benefits Planning
Outcome - LD applied for and was accepted into a Quest internship with the Department of Health. The internship is part-time for 20 weeks. During this time we will continue to monitor her outcomes, achievements and barriers so that as needs arise we can proactively assist her with addressing them.

24. Additional Resources DEI online portal on WorkforceGPS
US Department of Labor Websites for DEI topics
The Work Site – Ticket Overview – Social Security
Your Ticket to Work
Ticket to Work – How it Works

25. Questions???