Employment in Illinois for People with Disabilities

1. Employment in Illinois for People with Disabilities Governors Employment & Economic Opportunities Task Force Members: Margaret Harness – Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Sharon Slover – Executive Director of Education & Careers -Menta GroupPhil Milsk – Legislative Director with the ARC of Illinois

2. Issues & Solutions: Areas for Discussion • Vision for employment (i.e., long-term goal) • What needs to change? • What do we need to know more about to address this issue? • Proposed actions for change • Who needs to be involved in change process? • What can you do starting tomorrow?

3. Employment First: What Is It? • General theme:Employment in the community is the first/primary service option for individuals with disabilities APSE Statement on Employment First Employment in the general workforce is the first and preferred outcome in the provision of publicly funded services for all working age citizens with disabilities, regardless of level of disability.

4. Employment First 2012 30+ states have some type of “Employment First” movement • About 3/4 of efforts are by state policy or are legislatively based • About 1/4 of efforts are grassroots based – i.e., outsiders working to influence state policy and practice At least 18 states have official Employment Firstlegislation and/or polices

5. Employment First:Why It’s Different • Policy clearly states: employment as first priority • Broadly focused on all aspects of system • May begin in the grassroots, ultimately must be adopted and implemented by the system • Primary focus is not on eliminating facility-based services

6. The National Scene

7. Movement to Increase Community Employment

8. Public Policy Changes • Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – integration, inclusion, increased emphasis on transition and employment • Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Improvements Act (1998) • Workforce Investment Act (1998) – emphasis on disability • Olmstead Decision (1999) • Changes in RSA Regulations: successful employment outcome must be in integrated setting (2001) • CMS: New suggested Medicaid Waiver service definitions emphasizing community employment (2011)

9. Innovations In Practice • Movement from medical model to social model • 1980’s – Emergence of supported employment • “Train & Place” transformed to “Place & Train” • 1990’s – Expanded use of “natural supports” • Mental health – employment as part of recovery • Innovation and expansion in use of accommodations and assistive technology • Innovations in transition practices focused on employment • Self-determination and self-direction • Changing workforce & workplace – flexible, more diverse, evolving use of technology • Universal Design

10. 2012: Where Are We? • Individuals with even “most severe” disabilities working successfully • Disability no longer seen as insurmountable barrier to employment • Expectations are changing • Individuals and families • Public systems & policymakers • Society

11. People with Disabilities in Illinois: • US Census: • 656,000 have a disability (7.8% of population)– Source: ACS, 2009 • 5.9% have a work limitation– Source: CPS, 2010 • Working Age Adults on Social Security Disability Benefits (SSI or SSDI): 406,000 – Source: Social Security Administration, 2010

12. The Illinois Employment Picture in Context Illinois Employment First Summit January 31, 2012 Summit Report downloadable at www.state.il.us/agency/icdd David Hoff Institute for Community InclusionUniversity of Massachusetts, Boston

13. Compare Illinois to U.S.? Source: US Census ACS, 2009

14. Department of Developmental Disabilities *National data includes additional category of Community Based Non-Work, that brings national total to 100% Source: ICI Agency National Survey of Day & Employment Services, 2009

15. Vocational Rehabilitation Source: RSA 911 Data, 2009

16. Community Mental Health System * Includes individuals for whom employment status can be identified Source: SAMHSA Community Mental Health System Reporting System - 2009

17. Use of Work Incentives by People On SSI in Illinois • Plans for Achieving Self Support (PASS) – 40 • Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) – 123 • Blind Work Expense - 40 Source: Social Security Administration SSI Disabled Recipients Who Work, 2009

18. The Illinois SceneBig Picture Trend(s)

19. Timeline – Changes from Advocacy ICDD Legislation DDD 2011-17 Blueprint SJR 15 Strategic Plan 08 09 10 11 12 Legislation Emp. Taskforce Emp. PA 96-368 Report with Summit Emp. 1st Goal

20. Rebalancing - Institutional Closures $ shifts to community support use Quinn- Quinn- Quinn- “Close”: “Close”: “Close”: Howe Jacksonville Jacksonville Mabley Murray Tinley Singer Chester Howe Tinley Jacksonville closed closedclosed 09 10 11 12 13

21. Div. of Dev. Disabilities PUNS Wait List - Employment

22. Getting Home and Community Based Service Waiver - Win the lottery! • Includes self employment • Ligas suit members + PUNS wait list people • 1400 awarded this year • 1700 more this year • 750 Home based • 750 CILA • 200 CILA – caregiver over 75 $ for employment supports and transportation Ligas lawsuit settlement

23. Funding Services in a Time of Cutbacks Rebalancing • State institutions cost more than community homes • Supported employment costs more than current rates cover SO, rethink use of limited $: • Save money by shifting living to community • DDD provided rate incentives • Advocate that DDD put its limited $ in supported and community employment services

24. The element that makes a person job-ready is being in a real job. Joe Chiappetta, Disabilityworks – Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

25. Subminimum Wage Legislation Federal • H.R. 3086 • Summary: • Discontinues the issuing of special wage certificates under section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (20 U.S.C. 214(c)) to any new entities not currently holding a certificate, as of the effective date of the Act. • Revokes all special wage certificates held on the effective date of the Act: • Repeals section 14(c) of the FLSA of 1938 effective 3 years after the date of enactment.

26. Illinois HB 5729 • Summary: • Finds that “people with disabilities should enjoy a presumption that they can achieve integrated, non-segregated, employment.” • Amends the Illinois Minimum Wage Law • Further provides that a special license may not authorize payment of less than the minimum wage for more than 6 months unless the Director of Labor authorizes

27. Employment First – Doing Differently • Make Employment a Priority Now. Don’t wait for “Employment First Policy” • Raise expectations so everyone’s strengths and interests lead to employment goals • Use all funding – work the system • Think broad - customized employment, micro business, use personal connections to find niches • Think quality of life – everyone should be engaged in their community even if not paid

28. Integrating Service Systems at the Point of Transition • Partnerships • Local school district, adult employment service provider, government funding agencies (VR, IDD, County entities)

29. Transitions Scenarios * Youth exits school with no work experience * Youth exits school with work experience, but no post- school supports available * Youth exits school with work experience and seamless linkage to adult system supports

30. The Disparity * Educational and adult service systems are seldom in synch * Early, pre-exit collaboration between systems is not common * Resource integration is rare

31. Transition Service Integration • All students with disabilities • Transition instruction entirely community-based transition • Paid employment, integrated workplaces • Non-work activities in normalized settings • Individual choice of schedules and employment options • Adult agency employment specialists working with school personnel • Cost-sharing resources of school system, supported employment funders, adult agencies

32. Transition Service Integration Intended Outcomes • No Service Disruption: first day after school exit Schedule looks the same as the last day of school • Same jobs • Same community activities • Same staff support • Schedule looks the same as the last day of school

33. Outcomes • 90% employed at school exit • 90% employed one year after school exit • 95% experienced seamless transition to adult system

34. What It Takes….. * Braiding resources * Identifying points of success for all elements of the collaborating systems * Flexible applications of governing regulations of collaborating systems

35. The Ideal Youth are jointly served by school system and adult employment agencies BEFORE school exit.

36. The Result Seamless transition from students to employed adults

37. “Solutions to poverty are going to need to be as complicated as everything that causes it.” Dr. Claire McCarthy Martha Eliot Health Center, Boston

38. Examples of Illinois taxpayers working towards prosperity

39. ANDY Position: Parts inventory and other tasks at auto dealership Customized position created at height of recession when “no one was hiring” Position obtained via Kiwanis Club connection and shared interest in sports with manager Now on the board of the Kiwanis Club Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

40. Laura Position: Chef - Charlie Trotters, Chicago Graduated from IL School for Visually Impaired Attended Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind Received DRS assistance with vocational training at Le Cordon Bleu, College of Culinary Arts Would like to own her own restaurant Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

41. Daniel Position: Team Member - Lowe’s Home Improvement Received transition services from DRS & partnering services through Challenges Unlimited Has received Employee of the Month Received DRS support in moving from group home to own apartment National Rehabilitation Association Nominee Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

42. Jared Position: Service Clerk - Jewel Has worked for 4 years; past year without a job coach Advocates with state legislators Has own driver’s license – 4 year process Now owns a MINI Cooper Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

43. ANNIE Position: Employee at After School Program Customized position created based on interest in working with children Started as a Snack Aide; now reads to children as part of her job Initially required 100% job coaching; within 9 months, no job coaching Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

44. Devon Position: Mail Clerk at small hospital Devon likes to organize; focused on potential jobs that use those skills Customized position created through taking over mail duties previously done by nurses Increased efficiency, boosted morale Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

47. Jennifer Position: Artist Verbal abilities are limited, so started expressing herself through painting in elementary school. Passion for art grew from there Art will be on display in local coffee shop in April & May Looking for additional employment Illinois Citizens with Disabilities – Working Towards Prosperity

48. Examples of Jennifer’s Work Web page – St. Louis Art Directory: http://myslart.ning.com/profile/JenniferWalter

49. RESOURCES • A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities http://www.nga.org/files/live/sites/NGA/files/pdf/CI1213BETTERBOTTOMLINE.PDF • IL APSE Assn for Persons Supporting Employment First http://www.apse.org/chapters/details.cfm?id=8 • Alliance for Full Participation http://www.allianceforfullparticipation.org/about-afp-2

50. “ A ship in harbor is safe ---but that is notwhat ships are built for. ” • John A. Shedd