Vocational Rehabilitation And
The New Ticket to Work Program
PresentersHarold Thornton,TACE Consultant
Elizabeth Jennings, National Disability Institute
March 31, 2009
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
2
Learning Objectives
Participants will acquire a basic understanding of:
Impact of new Ticket to Work Regulations Administrative Requirements of the Program Data and systems requirements Key Functions, Staff roles and responsibilities Importance of Quality Assurance How to Maximize SSA Program Income
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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The Ticket to Work Program
Purpose of the TTW Program
Goal of the TTW Program
Program Performance – 2002-2007
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Tickets Issued to SSA Beneficiaries as of April 2008
Nationally - 10,624,709
Regionally - 2,449,597 - 23.1% of Total
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Tickets Assigned as of April 2008
Nationally: State VR Agencies –
187,935 (93.34%) Employment Networks -
13,360 (6.66%)
Regionally: State VR Agencies –
39,573 (93.7%) Employment Networks –
2,674 (6.3%)
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
6
SSA Program Income for VR
Nationally - $124,238,549.09
Regionally - $21,155,991.50 – 17% of Total Income
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Amendments to SSA Regulations
Affecting Beneficiaries:
ALL Beneficiaries age 18 – 64 receive a Ticket, including those previously ineligible due to Medical Improvement Expected status
SSA has restructured the TTW Program to provide for a more incremental process for achieving self-sufficiency employment
Part-time employment is now viewed to be progress toward self-sufficiency
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Amendments to SSA Regulations
Affecting Beneficiaries (cont.):
More opportunities for beneficiaries to stabilize in employment and reduce their dependence on SSA cash benefits on a more permanent basis
Provides for critical ongoing supports
More flexible standards for making timely progress
Assignment of Ticket or Ticket in “In Use” Status continues to provide suspension of Continuing Medical Disability Review
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
9
Affecting Employment Networks: Enhanced EN Payment System
From 40 to 60% of PCB More than 4 milestone payments 5% increase in Total Outcome
Payments Parity in Payments for SSI and SSDI
Amendments to SSA Regulations
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
10
Affecting Employment Networks (cont): Competition alleviated between ENs and
SVRA EN can serve Ticket-holders subsequent
to being served by SVRA One Stops/ Workforce Boards (WFBs) and
Native American Projects automatically qualified as ENs
Amendments to SSA Regulations
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
11
Affecting State VR Agencies: Enhanced EN Payment system provides greater
opportunity for SSA program income and a more efficient payment system
Provides real opportunities for partnerships Provides opportunity to create systemic long
term supports after case closure; increasing cost reimbursement, community collaboration and beneficiary success
Amendments to SSA Regulations
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
12
Planning for Success Identifying key functions Organizing key functions and placement
within organization Staffing key functions Identifying Data and Systems Requirements Development and implementation of Policies,
Procedures and Processes Evaluating Program and System
Performance
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Key Functions
Overall Program Administration Claims/Payment Processing Registration of Ticket Status Records/Data Management Quality Assurance
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
14
Finding a Place for TTW in Your Organization
Consider Projected Workload Projected Revenues Centralized vs. Decentralized System Size of organization Work and Information Flow Interaction with field staff Interaction with Fiscal Systems and Staff Appropriated Budget vs. Estimated Expenses
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Centralized or Decentralized System Program Administrator Claims / Payment Processor Ticket Administration Coordinator Quality Assurance Coordinator
Staff Roles & Responsibilities
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Consumer Orientation and Education Development, Execution and Coordination of
Partnerships (MOA/MOU) Coordination of WIPA Referrals Preparation and Submission of SSA Form
1365 (Ticket Assignment request) Staff Training
Staff Roles & Responsibilities
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Data and System Requirements Identification of Consumers who are SSA
Beneficiaries Verification of SSA Benefits via local SSA Office State Verification and Exchange System (SVES)
Identification of consumers who are Ticket-eligible MAXIMUS CD of Ticket-holders
Registration of Ticket Activation/Case Closure
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Tracking Employment and Wage Data UI Data Earnings Inquiry Requests The Work Number Employer Requests
Maintenance of Claims and Payment Data
Data and System Requirements (cont.)
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
19
TTW Policies and Procedures
Based on: SSA Regulations - Section 411 Chapter 12 – SSA Provider Operations
Manual Transmittal 29 RSA Policies State VR Agency Policies
State Fiscal Policies
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
20
Quality Assurance “The Money Net”
Should focus on: Compliance with Laws, Regulations and
Policies Observing Consumer Rights and Benefits Conformance to Consumer Expectations Achieving Organizational Goals, Objectives
and Performance Expectations
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
21
Program and System Performance Expectations
Successful Outcomes for Consumers leading to Self-Sufficiency
Being the State leader in the administration of the Program
Maximizing SSA Program Income
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
22
Establishing System Controls Controls for Data Integrity Controls to ensure productivity Controls to ensure quality Controls for efficiency Controls for fiscal accountability
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
23
Effectively Using the Payment Systems
Traditional Cost Reimbursements Vocational Goal is to engage in Competitive
Employment that will extend to 9 months within a 12 month period and earn over SGA level of earnings ($980/month after Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWEs)).
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
24
EN Payments
Vocational Goal is employment that will result in earnings at or above the Trial Work Level (currently $700/month) for at least one or more milestone periods 2 weeks 3 months 6 months 9 months
Effectively Using the Payment Systems (cont.)
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Other factors to consider: Part Time vs. Full Time Employment Goal Educational Goal High Wages vs. Low Wages Number of Previous Cases Severity of Disability Projected Cost of Case Age
Effectively Using the Payment Systems (cont.)
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Other Program Requirements Must make the decision at time IPE is being
initiated Traditional Cost Reimbursement Cases will
be placed ‘In Use’ EN Payment Cases will be ‘Assigned’
Effectively Using the Payment Systems (cont.)
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
27
MAXIMUS Website - www.yourtickettowork.com
Social Security Administration – www.ssa.gov
Additional resources
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
28
Questions…
Harold Thornton, Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Email: [email protected]
Elizabeth Jennings, National Disability Institute
Email: [email protected]
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
29
THANK YOU!
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
30
TACE Center: Region IV Toll-free: (866) 518-7750 [voice/tty]
Fax: (404) 541-9002 Web: TACEsoutheast.org
My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportalEmail: [email protected]
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
31
Education CreditsParticipants may be eligible for CEU and CRCC credits. CEU Credit – Pending Approval (.15)
Site Coordinators must distribute the CEU form to participants seeking CEU credit on the day of the webinar.
Site coordinators must submit CEU form to the TACE Center: Region IV by fax (404) 541-9002 by Friday, April 3, 2009.
CRCC Credit (1.5 per session) By Friday, April 3, 2009, participants must score 80% or
better on a online Post Test and submit an online CRCC Request Form via the MyTACE Portal.
My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
32
Disclaimer
This presentation was developed by the TACE Center: Region IV ©2009 with funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the priority of Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Projects (TACE) – Grant #H264A080021. However, the contents of this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of the RSA and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government [34 CFR 75.620 (b)].
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 All Rights Reserved
33
Copyright Information
This work is the property of the TACE Center: Region IV.
Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the authors. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the authors.
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