1. Alaska’s Experience

2.  Lack of policy that promotes work as an expectation (or employment first)  Fear of losing health benefits  Financial disincentives  Lack of knowledge of existing work incentives  Lack of access to needed resources  Lack of holistic vocational services  Fragmented services  Work incentives counseling, 1-stop job center resources, assistive technology, asset building, transportation and housing  Limited employment opportunities  Limited access to employment and training programs  Self-employment often viewed as “option of last resort”

3.  Gathered variety of information to prioritize activities  Took comprehensive approach  Strategic planning (“Summits R Us”)  Technical assistance  Training  Outreach  Policy assessment  Worked within existing systems, initiatives and partnerships  Identified and leveraged resources to strategically address areas of need  Built on what’s learned

4.  Share data  Overview specific activities  Discuss role of self-advocates  Discuss outcomes to date and next steps  Share 3 systems change tips A LASKA ’ S J OURNEY S PECIFIC TO P EOPLE WITH D EVELOPMENTAL D ISABILITIES

5.  The number of people in integrated employment settings increased from 266 in 2001 to 396 in 2010 (a 48.9% increase)  However, the percent of people receiving supported employment services decreased from 48% in 2001 to 35.9% in 2010 (dropped to 23.7% in 2007 – national average)  Alliance for Full Participation goal to double the number of people in integrated employment in 2015 (792)  Also want to increase percent of people receiving supported employment services by 50% (53.9%)  Sheltered workshops not as big an issue as day habilitation

6. A CTIVITIES TO D ATE  Developed Supported Employment Action Plan  Reviewed best practices used in other states  Assessed Alaska’s practices against best practices  Developed set of recommendations for change  Hired non-perm position to help implement action plan recommendations  Developed supported employment work plan  Drafted supported employment standards for staff  Provided input to inform waiver reapplication

7. A CTIVITIES TO D ATE  Collaborated with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation on Customized Employment Grant  Secured research and demonstration grant from ODEP to increase the self-employment of Alaskans with disabilities (StartUp Alaska)  Helped plan annual Full Lives Conference  Helped Employment Security Division secure Disability Employment Initiative grant  Secured funding to start two Project Search pilot sites  Held Peer Power planning meeting

8.  Planning  Alaska Works Initiative  Supported Employment Action Plan  Peer Power  Alliance for Full Participation State Plan R OLE OF S ELF -A DVOCATES

9.  Helped plan and organize 3 federal job fairs  Sent information about the job fairs to the media  Put flyers up  Had a phone tree  Helped with set-up and take-down  Welcomed people  Wrote thank-you notes R OLE OF S ELF -A DVOCATES

10.  Planned and organized Peer Power meeting  Brought self-advocates together from around the state  Talked about ways working people could help non- working people and youth get and keep a job  Used Peer Power recommendations as a starting point for Alaska’s AFP State Plan R OLE OF S ELF -A DVOCATES

11.  2 nd Peer Power meeting scheduled for December  Discuss work done to date  Discuss what was learned at AFP Summit  Identify specific actions Peer Power members will take to help non-working adults and youth get and keep a job  Who, what, where, when and how R OLE OF S ELF -A DVOCATES

12.  DVR policy changes  Discovery as a reimbursable service  Work Incentives Counseling as a reimbursable service  Self-employment policy more friendly to would-be entrepreneurs  Annual Full Lives Conference includes employment track  Expansion of Project SEARCH (3 sites)  1-stop job centers secure Employment Network status  Secured funding for microenterprise grants and virtual business coach S OME O UTCOMES TO D ATE

13.  Continued policy development  Implement asset building strategies  Waiver Plan amendments  Training for individuals and families, providers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, care coordinators and State DD staff  Unemployment Insurance data run  Development of data tracking system  Development of Employment Network Partnership Plus arrangement with DVR N EXT S TEPS

14.  Implement Alliance for Full Participation Plan  Mentor/Peer-to-Peer Services  Policy Changes  Policy to Practice  Business Collaboration  Transition to Adult Life

15. Systems Change Tip #1 A small investment can pay a BIG return  Invested around $5,000 for speaker at annual Transit Conference  Resulted in establishment of Alaska Mobility Coalition  Successfully advocated for state and federal funding  Influenced the passage of SAFETEA-LU  Governor created Coordinated Transportation Task Force

16. Systems Change Tip #2 “Glom” onto existing initiatives and activities  Had strong working relationship with Department of Education & Early Development (EED)  Joint goal to improve transition of youth with disabilities into jobs and adult life  EED provided 100% of Project SEARCH start- up costs  3 operational sites  2 other communities interested  Secured Youth First grant from Division of Business Partnership for expansion, technical assistance and job coaching

17. Systems Change Tip #3 Tip #3: Sometimes it doesn’t take money  Influence State Plan priorities and strategies  DVR’s State Plan reflects AWI activities to improve employment outcomes of people with DD  Comment on proposed policy  DVR changed self-employment policy to make it more friendly to would-be entrepreneurs  Present results and data  DVR agreed to participate in development, implementation and evaluation of Project SEARCH