Making the Ticket to Work Program Work:

Recommendations for Next Steps

Health & Disability Advocates

John Coburn

March 23, 2005

23% of ENs in Region V responded; majority from Phase I and II States

Conclusions: Need for more benefits planning in the

community and peer supports; Payment structure is inadequate to

draw providers into the EN system

HDA Employment Network Survey

March 23, 2005

Midwest Employment & Training

Partnership Purpose

Create a multi-state policy forum for ENs to create proactive policy solutions for challenges with Ticket to Work implementation;

Facilitate relationship building and information sharing of promising practices; and

Training for ENs on Relevant Workforce Issues

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendation # 1

The Midwest ETP (“Partnership”) wholly supports the AOI Advisory Group’s Recommendation to fund ENs through an up-front payment system and payment for partial self-sufficiency.

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendation #1 Logic Removes disincentive to serving SSI

beneficiaries Encourages ENs to assist individuals in

building work history that will lead to self-sufficiency; and

Removes disincentive to serving individuals who utilize important work incentives (such as IRWEs)

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendation #2

State VR agencies must be allowed to seek cost reimbursement for services WITHOUT requiring the assignment of the individual’s ticket to that state VR Agency.

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendation #2 Logic Create an equal playing field between state VR

and private Ens; Create an attractive payment system for private

ENs –put it on equal par with the standard contracting rate with state VR;

More creative partnerships can be formed by state VR and private ENs to better serve beneficiaries;

Current system places 95% of ticket users outside the Ticket payment system’s goal of long-term self-sufficiency.

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendation #3

The Ticket to Work Panel and/or SSA should commission a study of employment and self-sufficiency outcomes for ticket users assigning their tickets to a state VR agency.

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendation #3 Logic

Such a study will provide SSA and Congress with data to determine if the Ticket to Work Program, as currently implemented, will reach its goal of doubling the number of individuals leaving the SSA roles.

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendation #4:

SSA must prioritize the development of a new system for collecting employment income and work incentive information. Such a system should implemented immediately.

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendation #4 Logic Reduction in overpayments will remove a

significant barrier for beneficiaries to work. Reduction in overpayments will improve

Ticket claims administration. Current system completely undermines the

goals of the Ticket to Work Program.

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendations #5:

SSA should assign each local office Work Incentive Liaison with maintenance of a ticket participant’s work activity. Upon assignment of the ticket, an EN should receive a WIL contact for each participant.

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendations #5 Logic EN, Maximus and the SSA local office can partner to

assume smooth transition from benefits and timely payment of EN claims.

ENs are assigned an identified SSA staff person who can assist in resolving benefits-related issues to support the individual’s employment.

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendation #6:

SSA should be required to make payments on EN claims within 30 days of receiving proper documentation.

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendation #6 Logic

Eliminates payment delays. Creates incentive for WIL and EN to work

together to assure timely reporting of employment income.

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendation #7:

Training and technical assistance to ENs should be provided regionally (locally when possible) through existing SSA systems.

March 23, 2005

Midwest ETP Policy Recommendations

Recommendation #7 Logic

Local access to training & TA will assure maximum participation.

Facilitates stronger relationships with of BPAO/PABSS.

March 23, 2005

Ticket to Work: What is Happening Now?

Draft Regulations submitted to OMB and pulled back for further analysis

Marketing Plan Re-Application of BPAO Projects and

Project Manager Formation of National EN Association

March 23, 2005

Chicago Ticket to Work Pilot Project

Proposed Payment System: $2000 upon placement in competitive

employment $2000 upon placement in competitive

employment for 6 months $1000 upon placement in competitive

employment for one year. Ticket payment system will continue

payments for continued placement thereafter

March 23, 2005

Chicago Ticket to Work Pilot Project

Goals: Employment and self-sufficiency for 24

beneficiaries. Demonstrate successful partnership of state

VR agency with private ENs. Encourage meaningful partnerships between

traditional vocational rehabilitation service providers and other employment service providers.

March 23, 2005

Chicago Ticket to Work Pilot Project

Goals: Increase active ENs in Chicago. Demonstrate enhanced payment system

(similar to the proposed system recommended by the AOI Advisory Group, the EN Summit, and the METP.

Encourage SSA to adopt a new payment system or demonstrate other pilot payment systems throughout the country.

March 23, 2005

Chicago Ticket to Work Pilot Project

Thresholds

Community Assistance Program

Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center

At Least Four Job Placements To Date

March 23, 2005

For More Information

Health & Disability AdvocatesContact Info: John Coburn

jcoburn@hdadvocates.org Ph. 312-223-9600

THANK YOU!