Governors Employment & Economic Opportunities Task Force Members:
Employment in Illinois for People with Disabilities
Margaret Harness – Illinois Council on Developmental DisabilitiesSharon Slover – Executive Director of Education & Careers -Menta GroupPhil Milsk – Legislative Director with the ARC of Illinois
1. Vision for employment (i.e., long-term goal)
2. What needs to change?
3. What do we need to know more about to address this issue?
4. Proposed actions for change
5. Who needs to be involved in change process?
6. What can you do starting tomorrow?
Issues & Solutions: Areas for Discussion
General theme:Employment in the community is the first/primary service option for individuals with disabilities
Employment First: What Employment First: What Is It?Is It?
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.
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
Employment First Employment First 20122012
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
The National Scene
Movement to Increase
Community Employment
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)
Public Policy ChangesPublic Policy Changes
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
Innovations In PracticeInnovations In Practice
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
2012: Where Are We?2012: Where Are We?
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
People with Disabilities in Illinois: People with Disabilities in Illinois:
David HoffInstitute for Community Inclusion
University of Massachusetts, Boston
The Illinois Employment Picture
in ContextIllinois Employment First Summit
January 31, 2012Summit Report downloadable atwww.state.il.us/agency/icdd
Compare Illinois to U.S.?
Source: US Census ACS, 2009
Illinois DDD – Total # Served: 29,000
Illinois DDD National*
% Individuals - Integrated Employment 10% 20%
% Individuals - Facility Based Work 17% 27%
% Individuals - Facility Based Non-Work 72% 36%
Department of Department of Developmental DisabilitiesDevelopmental Disabilities
Illinois DDD – Total Funding: $276,000,000
Illinois DDD National*
% of Funding – Integrated Employment 6% 12%
% of Funding – Facility Based Work 12% 29%
% of Funding – Facility Based Non-Work
82% 30%
Source: ICI Agency National Survey of Day & Employment Services, 2009
*National data includes additional category of Community Based Non-Work, that brings national total to 100%
Illinois Vocational RehabilitationTotal Closures: 17,900
Illinois VR National
% of Closures into Employment Setting
30% 30%
Rehabilitation Rate for All Closures with IPE
57% 56%
Mean Weekly Earnings at Closure $274 $357
Mean Weekly Hours at Closure 26 hours 31 hours
Vocational RehabilitationVocational Rehabilitation
Source: RSA 911 Data, 2009
Illinois Community Mental Health System Employment Status
Individuals Served *
Employed Unemployed Not in Labor Force
Age 18 to 20 6,942– 100% 1,486 – 21% 2,560 – 37% 2,896 – 42%
Age 21 to 64 98,452 – 100%
24,309 – 25%
49,041 – 50%
25,102 - 25%
Community Mental Health SystemCommunity Mental Health System
Community Mental Health System Employment StatusIllinois Compared to U.S.
Employed Unemployed Not In Labor Force
Illinois U.S. Illinois U.S. Illinois U.S.
All Ages 24% 21% 48% 41% 28% 37%
Source: SAMHSA Community Mental Health System Reporting System - 2009
* Includes individuals for whom employment status can be identified
Plans for Achieving Self Support (PASS) – 40
Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) – 123
Blind Work Expense - 40
Use of Work Incentives by Use of Work Incentives by People On SSI in IllinoisPeople On SSI in Illinois
Source: Social Security Administration SSI Disabled Recipients Who Work, 2009
The Illinois Scene Big Picture
Trend(s)
Timeline – Changes from Advocacy
ICDD Legislation DDD 2011-17Blueprint SJR 15 Strategic Plan
08 09 10 11 12
Legislation Emp. Taskforce Emp. PA 96-368 Report with Summit
Emp. 1st Goal
Rebalancing - Institutional Closures$ shifts to community support use
Quinn- Quinn- Quinn- “Close”: “Close”: “Close”: Howe Jacksonville Jacksonville
Mabley MurrayTinleySingerChester
Howe Tinley Jacksonville closed closed closed
09 10 11 12 13
Employment Need Number of People
Support to work at home 479
Support to work in the community
6,754
Work/ activities in a disability setting
9,282
TOTAL as of 10-11-12
16,452
Div. of Dev. Disabilities PUNS Wait List - Employment
$ for employment supports and transportation
Ligas lawsuit settlement
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
Getting Home and Community Based Service Waiver - Win the lottery!
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
Funding Services in a Time of Cutbacks Rebalancing
The element that makes a person job-ready is being in a
real job.
Joe Chiappetta, Disabilityworks – Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
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.
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
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
Employment First – Doing Differently
Partnerships Local school district, adult employment service provider, government funding agencies (VR, IDD, County entities)
Integrating Service Systems at the Point of
Transition
* 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
Transitions Scenarios
* Educational and adult service systems are seldom in synch
* Early, pre-exit collaboration between systems is not common
* Resource integration is rare
The Disparity
All students with disabilitiesTransition 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 personnelCost-sharing resources of school system, supported employment funders, adult agencies
Transition Service Integration
Intended Outcomes No Service Disruption: first day after school exitSchedule looks the same as the last day
of schoolSame jobsSame community activitiesSame staff supportSchedule looks the same as the last day of school
Transition Service Integration
90% employed at school exit
90% employed one year after school exit
95% experienced seamless transition to adult system
Outcomes
* Braiding resources
* Identifying points of success for all elements of the collaborating systems
* Flexible applications of governing regulations of collaborating systems
What It Takes…..
Youth are jointly served by school system and adult employment agencies BEFORE school exit.
The Ideal
Seamless transition from students to employed
adults
Seamless transition from students to employed
adults
The Result
““Solutions to poverty are Solutions to poverty are going to need to be as going to need to be as
complicated as everything complicated as everything that causes it.”that causes it.”
Dr. Claire McCarthyMartha Eliot Health Center, Boston
Examples of Illinois taxpayers working towards prosperity
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Web page – St. Louis Art Directory: http://myslart.ning.com/profile/JenniferWalter
Examples of Jennifer’s Work
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
RESOURCES
John A. Shedd
““ A ship in harbor is safe ---A ship in harbor is safe ---
but that is notbut that is not
what ships are built for. what ships are built for. ””
Time for A Conversation:
Illinois Statewide Transition Conference