Ticket Holder Assessment & Individual Work Plan (IWP)

1. Ticket Holder Assessment & Individual Work Plan (IWP) Hosted/Facilitated by: Miranda Kennedy with the NDI Technical Assistance Team Presented by: Kevin Nickerson and Mary Lynn ReVoir with the NDI Technical Assistance Team, and guest presenter, LaWanda Hawkins with the Operations Support Manager (OSM) U.S. Department of Labor 2013 Ticket/EN Series

2. Questions/Comments If you have a comment or question we encourage you to submit it to the host in writing via the Chat or Q&A Box to the right. Your question will either be addressed during the training, responded to in the Chat or Q&A Box, or followed up on after the training.

3. Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) • DEI Projects at the state level and/or local level participating LWIBs are required to become Employment Networks under Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Program. • Training and Technical Assistance to DEI Projects in attaining Employment Network status and implementing effective EN operations is provided under U.S. DOLETA contract with NDI Consulting, Inc. and the National Disability Institute (NDI). • Evaluation of the impact of the DEI Projects implementation and outcomes as Employment Network will be provided under U.S. DOL ODEP contract with Social Dynamics.

4. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this training webinar, DEI grantees and participants and partners from the public workforce system will : • Understand Ticket Holder assessment strategies • Have a better understanding of all the elements involved in assessing Ticket holders, including the following: • Educating staff on how to identify Ticket holders • Evaluating Ticket holder service needs • Understanding the connection between assessment and revenue • Know how to assign a Ticket to your Employment Network and the available Individual Work Plan (IWP) Forms that are required • Next Steps

5. Ticket/EN Subject Matter Expert Kevin Nickerson E: knickerson@ndi-inc.org P: (607) 272-7570 Ext. 136 5

6. Agenda • Introduction to Ticket Assessment • Review of the Ticket Assessment Guide • Overview of Maximus’ Operations Support Manager (OSM) Individual Work Plan (IWP) • Overview of the Customized Workforce IWP • Time for Q & A

7. Ticket Assessment Strategies

8. To Assess or not to Assess…the Ticket that is… The Two Schools of Thought… Assign all Ticket Holders who are interested in working with you and hope some will yield a payment for the EN Assign only those Ticket Holders who you feel can benefit from your EN services, and who you think will yield a payment under the TtW Program

9. Assessment: Assigning All Ticket Holders • Using this approach, an EN simply assigns as many Ticket holders as possible that have interest in working with the EN

10. Refining the Number of Ticket Holders Served, Individual Assessment • In this process of assessment, each Ticket holder is reviewed based on the following: • Services Needed : Do they fit our EN Business Model? • Employment Goals : Are projected earnings consistent with required Milestones and Outcomes? • Benefits Evaluation : Is the Ticket holder ready to move forward with gainful employment? (i.e. SGA level employment) • Skills / Education / Experience : Is this consistent with Ticket holder employment goals, and with the current workforce need? • Projected Revenue : Will we produce revenue if we serve this Ticket holder as an EN? • Other : Health status at intake and restrictions, apparent motivation to return to work?

11. Assessment Resources • O*Net Online: http://www.onetonline.org/ • Compare current skills with required skills of various occupations • Other DOL sponsored Online resources such as Job Zone (NYS): https://jobzone.ny.gov/views/jobzone/guest.jsf

12. Ticket/EN Subject Matter Expert Mary Lynn ReVoir P: (515) 975-2344 E: mlrevoir@ndi-inc.org 12

13. A Review of the Ticket Assessment Guide 13

14. Ticket/EN Guest Expert LaWanda Hawkins Program Integrity Manager Operations Support Manager Social Security Ticket to Work Program P: (703) 336-8076 E: lawandaahawkins@maximus.com 14

15. A Review of Individual Work Plan (IWP): Maximus (OSM) Version

16. What is an Individual Work Plan (IWP)? The IWP, is a written agreement between the beneficiary and the EN. It is developed in partnership with each beneficiary in a manner that affords the beneficiary the opportunity to exercise informed choice in selecting an employment goal and specific services needed to achieve that goal. Basically, the IWP is an agreement between the two parties that lays out the actions both will take to assist the beneficiary to obtain economic financial independence through gainful employment. The IWP details the beneficiary’s vocational goals and the services and supports the EN is agreeing to provide to assist the beneficiary to achieve those goals. This document is intended to be an active and living agreement between the beneficiary and the EN.

17. What is the Individual Work Plan (IWP)? WHAT IT IS Written Agreement Contract between Beneficiary and Employment Network (EN) Details Goals of the Beneficiary Details Services Provided to Meet those Goals Intent /Use Living Document or “roadmap” to Track Signed by Both Parties in Partnership of Informed Choice WHAT IT IS NOT Application One Time Piece of Documentation Pre-Printed Goals Pre-Printed Services 17

18. Request for Quotation (RFQ)? RFQ - Understanding of Policies and Procedures http://www.ssa.gov/work/enrfq.html (p. 15-18) Beneficiary and Employment Network Relationship Higher Standard of Documentation 9 Mandatory Components 18

19. And Enhanced Approach: Back to the Basics GOALS: • Clarify IWP Standard • Enhance EN Performance Expectations • Moving to Successful Outcomes • Accountability • Business Ethics • Good Faith Practices • Protect and Maintain Integrity 19

20. 1: Adequate Documentation • Documentation of One-On-One Discussion • Date • Modality • Summary • EN’s Assessment of Vocational Goals • How Services and Supports Will Assist • Statement Acknowledging Ticket Assignment 20

21. 2: Description of Employment Goal • Describe in detail the goal developed with beneficiary • Goal must be clear, measurable and consistent, and Ongoing • Avoid Ambiguity • Over arching goal- helping beneficiaries advance and obtain self-supporting employment or self-sufficiency 21

22. Goals should be: Specific – Answers the question… What? Measurable – Answers... How? Attainable – Can the goal be achieved? Realistic – Something the beneficiary can achieve? Timely – Maintains Focus 22

23. 3: Description of Services and Supports Initial Job Acquisition and Retention Phase Describe Services Career Planning Coaching Training Trial Work Level Earnings Ongoing Support Phase Describe Services: Likely to change over time! Ongoing Job Supports Assistance to Maintain and Advance Further Job Placements Quarterly Contact Employer Contact Substantial Gainful Activity Level Earnings

24. 4and 5: Terms, Conditions and Permissions 4: Include a description of any terms and conditions related to the provision of the services and supports 5: Include a statement whereby the beneficiary gives permission to the EN to contact employers on the beneficiary’s behalf to verify or obtain evidence of work and earnings

25. 6: Description of Beneficiary Recent Earnings Description of a Beneficiary’s Recent Earnings 18/6 Months 6 Months is the Minimum Requirement for Ticket Assignment Phase 1 Milestone Payments can be affected by earnings above the Trial Work Level 18 Month Lookback Form NOT Mandatory but Work History Documentation IS Mandatory

26. 7: Statement Acknowledging TPR • Inform Beneficiary of Timely Progress Review (TPR) • A way to track Ticket holder progress • Occurs every 12 months • Service Providers • Explain during IWP • Understand the process

27. PARKING The EN shall not say or imply to any Ticket Holder: You can work part time indefinitely with the support of the EN. The EN will support or enable parking(i.e., artificially manipulating a beneficiary’s work and earnings to remain on cash benefits). 27

28. 8and 9: EN Responsibilities and Ticket Assignment 8. EN and Beneficiary have responsibility to each other. Speak in clear language Ensure understanding/expectations Refer to pg. 17-18 in RFQ Statement that the beneficiary acknowledges assignment of his/her ticket.

29. Completing the Individual Work Plan (IWP) MAXIMUS bases the IWP review on requirements noted in the RFQ, August 2012 which details the most recent requirements, that you can use, or you can create your own IWP if you prefer The IWP includes Ticket Holder demographics, statements required by the RFQ, and guides you with documentation regarding vocational goals and services and supports that you will provide to and/or assist with obtaining for the Ticket Holder The Maximus IWP template can be found here: http://www.yourtickettowork.com/selftraining/NEW%20IWP.doc 29

30. IWP SPECIFICS Let’s discuss a few items

31. Checking Ticket Assignability • Interactive Voice Response (IVR System) • 24/7 Days a Week • No Limit to How Many Tickets Can Check at One Time • Dial In: 1-866-949-3687 • Must have DUNS, PIN, and Social Security Number! 2.Secure Provider Portal @ http://www.yourtickettowork.com

32. Statement of Understanding

33. Common Errors Beneficiary’s name is missing Beneficiary’s name does not match the SSN provided Short/Long term vocational goal is missing Expected monthly earnings are missing or insufficient Services and Supports are missing Beneficiary earning history not provided Statement of any additional terms or conditions is missing Statement indicating EN will not receive compensation is missing Statement indicating EN may Amend IWP or Unassign the Ticket is missing Ongoing employment support is missing Statement of beneficiary’s rights under the Ticket to Work Program, including the right to Unassign is missing Statement of remedies available to beneficiary, including availability of State Protection and Advocacy is missing 33

34. Common Errors cont. Statement to inform beneficiary of annual progress reviews and Timely Progress Review guidelines is missing Statement of the beneficiary’s right to privacy and confidentiality is missing Statement advising beneficiary IWP may be amended is missing Statement that EN will only use qualified employees and or providers to provide services to beneficiary is missing Statement of the beneficiary’s right to have a copy of the IWP in accessible format is missing Signature of Beneficiary is missing Signature of EN Representative is missing Record of Career Counseling is missing Beneficiary may not be eligible to participate in the Ticket to Work Program The IWP was signed prior to the Unassignment Date Beneficiary’s Ticket is not currently Assignable 34

35. Protect Personally Identifiable Information Suitability clearance Protect electronic documents No Post-Its No name and Social Security Number in email Keep documents secure Lock your computer 35

36. Customized IWP ENs have the option to customize the IWP to meet their own needs Must contain all required components You may add information beyond the required components, for example: Additional services Additional tracking information (i.e. job classification, distance willing to travel to job) A customized IWP has been developed, as an alternative to the standard Maximus IWP, for Workforce ENs 36

37. A Review of the Customized Workforce IWP 37

38. Summary • In today’s presentation we covered the following: • Assessment of Ticket holders, whether to individually assess and how, or to assign en mass • Overview of the Maximus (OSM) IWP template, and updates on the IWP process • Overview of the customized Workforce IWP

39. Next Steps Join us for our next training in the Ticket to Work Series on Tuesday, April 16th 2013 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm EST. Part 7: Ticket to Work and Partnership Plus This training will be presented by Mary Lynn ReVoir and will be hosted by Miranda Kennedy with the NDI Technical Assistance Team. This webinar will provide:• Knowledge of the state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs participation in the Ticket to Work program• Information on how Partnership Plus can be used as an opportunity to address beneficiary needs for ongoing supports after job placement• Information on how State VR agencies and Workforce entities can collaborate to expand the scope of services available to beneficiaries and improve services coordination• Examples of how Job Center Employment Networks can partner with other community agencies

40. Questions/Comments If you have a comment or question you can: A: Submit it to the host in writing via the Chat or Q&A Box to the right, or… B: Click on the “raise hand” icon to have your line un-muted and ask your question/make your comment.

41. Contact Information Mary Lynn ReVoir NDI Technical Assistance Team P: (515) 975-2344 E: mlrevoir@ndi-inc.org Kevin Nickerson NDI Technical Assistance Team E: knickerson@ndi-inc.org P: (607) 272-7570 Ext. 136 LaWanda Hawkins Program Integrity Manager, Operations Support Manager Social Security Ticket to Work Program E: lawandaahawkins@maximus.com P: (703) 336-8076