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Alaska Works Initiative Ten Years of Systems Change

Alaska Works Initiative Ten Years of Systems Change. Alliance for Full Participation November 18, 2011. Alaska’s Journey Specific to People with Developmental Disabilities. Share data Discuss role of self-advocates Overview other activities Discuss outcomes to date and next steps

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Alaska Works Initiative Ten Years of Systems Change

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  1. Alaska Works Initiative Ten Years of Systems Change Alliance for Full Participation November 18, 2011

  2. Alaska’s Journey Specific to People with Developmental Disabilities • Share data • Discuss role of self-advocates • Overview other activities • Discuss outcomes to date and next steps • Share 3 systems change tips • Answer questions

  3. Number of Individuals in Integrated Employment Settings (Includes: Competitive Employment, Individual Supported Employment and Group Supported Employment) Source: Institute for Community Inclusion

  4. Percent of Individuals in Integrated Employment Settings Source: Institute for Community Inclusion

  5. Some Good News • The number of people receiving supported employment services is up (494 in FY10) BUT • Although the percent of people receiving supported employment has increased (35.9%), it’s still not where it was in 2001 (48%)

  6. Role of Self-Advocates • Planning • Alaska Works Initiative • Supported Employment Action Plan • Peer Power • Alliance for Full Participation State Plan

  7. Role of Self-Advocates • 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

  8. Role of Self-Advocates • 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

  9. Role of Self-Advocates • 2ndPeer 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

  10. Other Activities • Drafted supported employment standards • Provided input on waiver reapplication • Collaborated on other grants • DVR (Customized Employment Grant) • Division of Employment Security (Disability Employment Initiative) • Secured self-employment grant from Office of Disability Employment Policy • Helped plan annual Full Lives Conference • Secured funding to start 2 Project SEARCH pilot sites

  11. Some Outcomes to Date • 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

  12. Next Steps • Continued policy development • 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

  13. Systems Change Tip #1 A small investment can pay a BIGreturn • 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

  14. 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

  15. Systems Change Tip #3 Tip #6: 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

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