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Employment First: Moving From Policy to Practice

Learn about the journey from policy development to implementation of Employment First, including strategies for stakeholder support and legislative advocacy.

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Employment First: Moving From Policy to Practice

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  1. Employment First:Moving From Policy to Practice APSE Webinar Lawrence, KS October 31, 2011

  2. EMPLOYMENT • Where do we begin? • Introduce the concept & set the stage • CDDO contract negotiations • State appointed task force • Initial report and recommendations • Marketing materials • Clear and consistent message • Frame the argument • Include all disability groups

  3. EMPLOYMENT • How do we create an agenda? • Get the word out & expand stakeholder support • Leadership • Buddy group/Big tent • Presentations/meetings • Family Employment Awareness Training • Legislative reception • Employment First Summit (Conversation with the Governor’s Cabinet Secretaries and Directors) • Persevere

  4. From Planning to Policy – Get to Yes Before You Draft Bill • Groundwork is key • We got to YES – Employment First Work Group Built a consensus position NO ONE disagreed with • “The State of Kansas will establish integrated, competitive employment at a commensurate wage as the first priority for working age people with developmental disabilities. This initiative will be called Employment First.” • Everyone was at the table – broad consensus • “Big Tent” – type position

  5. From Planning to Policy – Get to Yes Before You Draft Bill (cont.) • Focus on a broad goal everyone can agree to • Agree to disagree on some things • Don’t sweat the small stuff • One goal – “get to yes” on the strongest statement acceptable to the group • Simplicity = Beauty • Policy statements can be simple • At its core, Employment First is a stunningly beautiful policy • Competitive, integrated employment is the priority

  6. From Planning to Policy – Get to Yes Before You Draft Bill (cont.) • Employment First is about creating the focus and priority on competitive, integrated employment • Our philosophy – About providing the right services and supports to enable competitive, integrated employment • Assistive technology critical issue – specialized AT can be hard to get Medicaid or other programs to pay for. • With Employment First as the policy, ALL services, supports, and programs have to change the way they do business to conform to the new policy (AT, VR, Waivers, One Stops, etc.)

  7. Quick Tips – Summary of Our Policy Advocacy Activities • Held reception “kick off” to introduce idea to legislators • Hand out with the broad policy goal of employment first • Behind scenes were working out kinks of the language • Took the temperature of the legislators • Bounced ideas off the decision makers

  8. Quick Tips – Summary of Our Policy Advocacy Activities (cont.) • Small group wrote the bill from the consensus position • Simple policy statement • Applied it to state programs & services – not a mandate on employers • About government accountability for the millions already spending on employment services for people with disabilities • Shopped the idea around • Found sympathetic Chair • Introduced in the “right” committee • In Kansas, it meant it was an “exempt” bill – not subject to normal deadlines • Find the Committee that is the “right” fit in your state

  9. Quick Tips – Summary of Our Policy Advocacy Activities (cont.) • “Murphy’s Law” - Navigated all the problems • Dozens of groups supported the Employment First concept --- had them weigh in strategically • Matched up key E 1st supporters with key Legislators • Created an “echo effect” where multiple voices were being heard by many policymakers (not just the 2-3 people actively working the bill at the Capitol)

  10. Quick Tips – Summary of Our Policy Advocacy Activities (cont.) • 2 “lead” agencies navigating the legislative process (the Kansas P&A and Kansas DD Council) • Managed the bill on the ground • Brought supporters into the process at strategic points • Couldn’t get a key policy maker to take our meeting --- found an influential constituent to “warm” them up for us • Meeting didn’t go well --- had constituent double back to smooth it over or address questions / concerns • Who do we need to do what today?

  11. Quick Tips – Summary of Our Policy Advocacy Activities (cont.) • Mistakes WILL Happen – Deal with it • I personally wrote the bill to ensure clarity of purpose. • Focus – accountability of government programs. Not a mandate on private businesses. • Legislative staff re-wrote it as a hiring preference for state jobs and mandate on private businesses – TWICE! • Every Mistake = Opportunity for Investment • We are in this together (bonding) • Use Bill Drafting Error as Opportunity to work with the Chair to get buy-in and support • Having someone do you a favor can get them invested • Had key constituents educate the Chair behind the scenes

  12. Quick Tips – Summary of Our Policy Advocacy Activities (cont.) • Be polite, be patient, but persistent • Kill them with kindness • House passed 2336 nearly unanimously • Senate was a waiting game – strategy and hard work paid off • Keep your partners informed & coordinated

  13. Don’t Assume • Don’t ASSUME any Vote based on ideology! • KNOW how to focus your message based on the Legislator and audience • Employment first resonates across party and ideological labels • In Politics must get to Yes, No or Maybe. Numbers game. Don’t ASSUME. • We got support from the most Conservative and Liberal members. • Didn’t present as just a “warm & fuzzy” issue • Example Messaging Points: • Holding State Government accountable for millions $ spent * Commission to oversee E. First policy and set goals & objectives

  14. Don’t Assume (cont.) • Saving taxpayer dollars • Reducing reliance on government welfare and other programs • Greater competitive integrated employment = greater wages = less reliance on taxpayer funded programs • Kansas is dismal 46th in the nation • No policy = No direction = PWD’s stuck in the public program trap • Kansas’ policy is to not have a policy = one of worst states • Self Advocates said – We want to be “net tax providers” not “net tax consumers.” • E 1st will help do that • State must set the priority & policy … make everything conform to E 1st • It’s your money; it’s our lives and dignity

  15. Don’t Assume (cont.) - If you support disability programs and services, have to set the policy to create independence while ensuring dignity & respect. - Funding is important, but $ w/out focus bought you the results you have (46th) • Kansas – must count to 63, 21 and 1 to pass a bill into law (House, Senate, Governor) - Can’t afford to leave votes on the table - Ks = dark “red” state. Everyone is potentially that 63rd or 21st vote - Get to YES, NO or MAYBE • Have MORE votes than you need - Can survive the tough make or break votes & win - Ex: because we had 70 unwavering votes in the House, snowballed to 103! (needed 63 to pass)

  16. What HB 2336 says-Establishes that competitive integrated employment is the first option Sect. 1 (b) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Kansas that competitive and integrated employment shall be considered its first option when serving persons with disabilities who are of working age to obtain employment. This policy applies to programs and services that provide services and support to help obtain employment for persons with disabilities. All state agencies shall follow this policy and ensure that it is effectively implemented in their programs and services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any employer to give preference to hiring people with a disability.

  17. What HB 2336 says-All state agencies have to follow…make changes to implement (cont.) Sec. 2. (a) All state agencies shall coordinate efforts and shall collaborate within and among such agencies to ensure that state programs, policies, procedures and funding support competitive and integrated employment of individuals with disabilities. All state agencies shall, whenever feasible, share data and information across systems in order to track progress toward full implementation of the act. (b) State agencies are authorized to adopt rules and regulations to implement this act.

  18. What HB 2336 says-Oversight Commission to ensure Accountability, Measureable Goals, & Objectives (cont.) • 5 member Employment First Oversight Commission. - Cannot be state employees (no Legislators, no bureaucrats). - 5 members must be persons with disabilities or others knowledgeable of disability issues. - 4 Legislative appointments, 1 Governor Sect. 3 (2-d) The commission shall establish measurable goals and objectives for the state of Kansas to ensure implementation of this act. The commission shall track the measurable progress of public agencies in implementing this act. All state agencies shall fully cooperate with and provide data and information to assist the commission in carrying out its duties.

  19. What HB 2336 says-Oversight Commission to ensure Accountability, Measureable Goals, & Objectives (cont.) (e) The commission shall issue an annual report on or before January 1 each year which shall be presented to the governor and members of the state legislature. The report shall detail progress toward the goals and objectives and full implementation of this act. All state agencies shall cooperate with the commission on the creation and dissemination of the annual report. The report also shall identify barriers to achieving the outcomes along with the effective strategies and policies that can help realize the employment first initiative. (f) The governor shall select from the cabinet agencies the lead agency responsible for compiling data and coordinating the preparation of the annual report at the direction of the commission. The activities of the commission and lead agency pursuant to this section shall be done within existing grants and resources.

  20. Now what? • Oversight Commission is extremely important – set the measurable goals and objectives to ensure implementation of this new employment first policy • Critical next step will be advocacy to ensure PWDs get services and supports they need for competitive, integrated employment. - History of difficulty obtaining A.T. and other supports & services * We don’t want to see lack of access to A.T. and other supports used as excuse to prevent integrated, competitive employment. * Need advocacy to prevent thwarting the E 1st policy.

  21. EMPLOYMENT • How do we move beyond policy? • On-going work group • Address issues • Oversight Commission • Self Advocates Coalition of Kansas • Families Together • Let others know – get the message out • Acknowledge and respond • Employment First website • Second Employment Summit • Build on energy & excitement

  22. EMPLOYMENT • To implementation… • Great Expectations Employment Initiative • VR funded • Training, technical assistance, & evaluation • What does it take? • What are the issues? • What are the solutions? • How much does it cost? • Data-based decision-making • Changes: Person centered planning Expedited referral Revised pay for performance

  23. EMPLOYMENT • To implementation…(cont.) • Others are initiating on their own • Talking to each other • Asking for help • Requesting employment • Including on agendas • Telling others

  24. EMPLOYMENT • Role of KS APSE • Leadership • Liaison to national activities • Information/resource sharing • Testimony • Active involvement • Event co-sponsor • Membership support • Website

  25. For more information, contact: Wendy Parent-Johnson Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities wparent@ku.edu (785) 864-1062 Rocky Nichols Disability Rights Center rocky@drckansas.org (785)273-9661

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