Kentucky’s Efforts at Asset Development

1. Kentucky’s Efforts at Asset Development National AT Act Entities Conference Washington, DC Dave Matheis, July 2014

2. Why Kentucky got involved in Asset Development? • Experience of KATLC (Kentucky’s AFP) • Leadership of the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation • Emphasis at the federal level as an anti-poverty strategy • The obvious need of individuals with disabilities

3. KATLC • Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation • Began lending in summer of 2000 • Have loaned more than $8.5 million • Fifth Third Bank as lending partner • 60% of our loans are for hearing aids and 25% or for vehicles and/or vehicle modifications • Governing statute limits what KATLC can get involved in

4. KYOVR and Benefits Planning • Instituted a Benefits Analysis Service fee for counselors to use when WIPAs were suspended • Well received by counselors who were now guaranteed of receiving the report to use as a counseling tool • Paid for 469 Benefits Plans in first full year of service • Preliminary data indicates rehabilitation rate of SSA Recipients who received a benefits analysis is 38% higher than those who didn’t

5. Louisville Asset Development Summit • Held on October 10th, 2012. • To begin a dialogue and build a framework on how the asset-building community and disability community could work together to develop programs that stimulate economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities. • Sponsors included KYOVR, Kentucky Domestic Violence Association (KDVA), Fifth Third Bank, KATLC, Center for Accessible Living, Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Kentucky SILC.

6. Louisville Asset Development Summit • Technical assistance provided by Southeast Technical Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE) Center (Atlanta) • Attendees included representatives from various disability-related agencies and service providers, Louisville Metro Government, Bank on of Louisville and Lexington, IDA providers, and others • Got the conversation started • Created partnerships that that became the foundation for several collaborative initiatives

7. KYOVR/TACE Asset Development Pilot • Immediately following the Summit, TACE trained KYOVR’s 16 field managers and selected counselors in asset development and financial education • In the fall of 2013, KYOVR and TACE cooperated on a pilot to incorporate asset development into vocational rehabilitation counseling • Counselors in two selected districts received training and technical assistance from TACE to incorporate financial goals into two or three Individual Plans for Employment • Pilot is ending and results are being studied

8. Asset Development, KYOVR, SILC and the State Plan for Independent Living • The SILC incorporated asset development activities into the 2014-2016 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) • KYOVR and SILC will conduct at least four regional asset development summits (in partnership with other state and local partners) • KYOVR, SILC and the state’s centers for independent living will work together on a Car Individual Development Account (IDA) with the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association (KDVA)

9. The Car IDA • Partners with KDVA’s existing state-funded car IDA for domestic violence survivors • Participants must earn less than 200% of federal poverty level; • Unlike the federal AFI IDA, earned income is not required; • The savings match is 1:1 – participants save up to $2,000 and $2,000 will be earned in match;

10. The Car IDA • Participants are required to complete ‘Car Maintenance 101’ and a Car-IDA workbook; • Financial education and case management for participants are required; • Cars can be purchased outright or money can be used as down payment for a loan; • Pilot targets two rural areas of the state in far western Kentucky and northeastern Kentucky

11. The Car IDA • Since it is an independent living service, two CIL satellite offices are collaborating, developing IL goals for participants • KYOVR is funding the program with Social Security Reimbursement proceeds

12. Regional Asset Development Summits • Partners include KYOVR, Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities, Kentucky Asset Building Initiative (KASI), KATLC, KDVA, and SILC • Local partners include Bank On, local asset building coalitions, individual banks, and community action agencies • Owensboro in December of 2013 and Bowling Green in May of 2014 • Plans for Ashland in October

13. The SGA Project • The Institute on Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Has selected Kentucky as one of two states (along with Minnesota) for a project to provide enhanced services to 500 individuals who are SSDI recipients • As part of model being tested, VR counselor, benefits planner (CWIC) and job placement provider must work as a team to provide just-in-time services • Financial education and planning will be a vital part of the service model • Developing a financial assessment tool and a directory of resources for the project

14. Louisville Metro Government • Have developed a partnership with Louisville Metro Community Services in the Louisville Metropolitan area • Using their Community Financial Empowerment Certification program to train KATLC and KYOVR staff • Collaborating with their effort with the National Disabilities Institute’s LEAD Center to provide a range of financial capability services and extending these services to low-income individuals with disabilities         

15. Questions Contact Information: Dave Matheis Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (502) 782-3420 daves.matheis@ky.gov