The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative

1. The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Department of Labor & Workforce Development Division of Rehabilitation Services * Council on Developmental Disabilities Division of Special Education * Department of Mental Health Center on Literacy Studies, University of Tennessee * Council on Children & Youth Arc of Tennessee * Tennessee Disability Coalition * Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Center for Independent Living of Middle Tennessee Disability Law & Advocacy Center of Tennessee December 14, 2011 The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities

2. What is DIDD? • With an annual budget of approximately $800 million, the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) administers three waivers that support nearly 8,000 Tennesseans with intellectual disabilities. • Waivers were created to direct federal funding to support people in their communities instead of institutions. • DIDD employs nearly 2,500 people and contracts with approximately 500 provider agencies. The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities

3. A New Opportunity • The Disability Employment Initiative is a tremendous opportunity to increase the number of Tennesseans with disabilities who are employed. It is a cornerstone of the success of the Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative. The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities

4. Just The Facts • Over $200 BILLION in unused Ticket payments* • Over 300,000 Ticket holders in Tennessee (See “SSA Disability Beneficiaries in TN” in your packet) • Approximately 7,000 people on the DIDD Waiting List • * Social Security Administration, 11/2010 The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities

5. Why Ticket to Work? • Each person who receives SSA Disability (SSI, SSDI) has a “Ticket to Work.” This “Ticket” is a voucher that enables them to “purchase” services and resources to help them to secure and maintain employment.* • * Refer to the “2011 EN Payments-At-A-Glance” document in your folder to see the structure of Ticket payments. The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities

6. The Goals • With a strong partnership between Tennessee’s workforce system and the disability system, more Tennesseans with disabilities will secure and maintain employment for a better quality of life! Who wants to be unemployed? • The structure of the model will allow services and partnerships to become a sustained part of services for Tennesseans with disabilities. The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities

7. Instrumental Partnerships • The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development & Local Workforce Investment Areas (LWIAS): Partnership with the business community. • Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS or VR): The knowledge and skills of rehabilitation counselors. • Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (DIDD): Over 8,000 people in services and approximately 7,000 people on the DIDD Waiting List. The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities

8. Someone on the DIDD Waiting List Someone on a DIDD Waiver Employment Support Options for Someone Who Receives SSA Disability • VR: A CRP* helps the person to get a job. • Person transitions to DIDD employment-based funding for long-term job coaching. • Ticket funding may also be accessed. • VR: A CRP* Helps the person to get a job. • The Ticket provides funding for long-term supports. * A CRP (Community Rehabilitation Provider) refers to an entity that has a signed Letter of Understanding with VR. The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities

9. Common Questions • Does someone have to entirely stop receiving benefits for an EN to collect payments? • Answer: No – However, please note that the full ticket amount is only paid when someone stops receiving SSA disability payments. • Does the person have to work full-time for an EN to collect milestone payments? • Answer: No The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities

10. Examples of Employment Networks • Career Centers and/or LWIA’s • Walgreens, Lockheed Martin, AT & T, etc. • Non-Profit & For-Profit Organizations The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities

11. Other Opportunities • An organization could function as an administrative EN for organizations that want to serve Ticket holders but do not want to become an EN– as an administrative EN, your organization would handle all the paperwork. • This could be a valuable service to market to employers. • An organization can serve both as an EN and as an administrative entity for other organizations. The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities

12. Key Next Steps • Expanding the number of Employment Networks in Tennessee. • Partnerships on the state and local levels • Getting the word out to the over 300,000 Tennesseans who have a Ticket. The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities

13. Thank You for Your Time • Julie Huber • State Director of Day Services • Tennessee Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities • (615) 532-6540 • julie.huber@tn.gov • tn.gov/didd The Tennessee Ticket to Work Initiative Connecting Employers and People with Abilities