GoToWebinar Control Panel

(1)

Facing the Future Virtual Event

Co-sponsored by The Boggs Center and NJAPSE

Friday, March 19, 2021 l 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Julie Christensen

Award Announcements

Randy Lewis

Facing the Future Virtual Event

Margaret Gilbride, JD, CT

Director of Transition, Employment, and Aging & Disability

The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities

Immediate Past President, NJAPSE

GoToWebinar Control Panel

Handouts

• Handouts may be downloaded from the

Control Panel.

Questions

• We are planning to have a brief Question and Answer

session at the end of each presentation.

• In order to ask a question, you have to type it in the

Questions

section of the

Control Panel.

Adjust Size of Slides and Presenter Webcam

• Drag the

grey bar

to make the slides or presenter webcam bigger or smaller.

Facing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs Center and NJAPSE l March 19, 2021

Facing the Future Virtual Event

Certificates of Attendance

for Continuing Education Recognition

To receive a Certificate of Attendance, you must:

Be logged onto the webinar from start to finish

and

Complete the evaluation at the end of the webinar

Certificates will be emailed to attendees who meet these requirements within 2 weeks

Facing the Future Virtual Event

Co-sponsored by The Boggs Center and NJAPSE

Friday, March 19, 2021 l 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Julie Christensen

Award Announcements

Randy Lewis

Facing the Future Virtual Event

Unpacking Competitive, Integrated Employment:

A Public Policy Roadmap to Achieving

Employment First

Julie Christensen, MSW, PhD

Director of Policy and Advocacy, Interim Executive Director

The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)

(2)

Unpacking Competitive,

Integrated Employment:

A Public Policy Roadmap to

Achieving Employment First

Julie Christensen, MSW, PhD

Director of Policy and Advocacy, Interim Executive Director

The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)

March 19, 2021

History of disability employment

• Early U.S. economy was farm-based

• People with disabilities generally contributed to the family income in

some way

• Not viewed as a burden

• Industrial revolution – shift to cities

• Machining and manufacturing required intelligence and strength

• Able vs. unable dictated worth and survival

• Rise of institutions

• Disability viewed as a ”defect” that prevented participation in “normal”

activities

• Housed away and cared for

A turning point with broad implications

• Vocational rehabilitation opportunities for U.S. veterans

• Goal to ensure returning injured veterans could continue to work and

contribute

• Occupational adjustment and guidance, counseling, education, training, job

placement support

• 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act / Wagner-O’Day Act

• The beginning of “sheltered workshop” model, 14(c) and Federal

purchasing program (AbilityOne)

• Limited to physical disability and blindness, deafness

A shifting service delivery system

Shifts in law Shifts in service delivery

1964 Civil Rights Act - disability NOT included

1971 FLSA Amended / Javits-Wagner-O’Day Sheltered workshop system eligibility broadened

1973 Rehabilitation Act 1980s: Supported employment

1988 – APSE was founded

1990 Americans with Disabilities Act - The disability civil rights law

1999 Olmstead v. LC Supreme Court Decision 2000s: Customized employment 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act /

Medicaid HCBS Final Rule / ABLE Act

CIE as defined in WIOA

Competitive Integrated Employment is work that is:

• Compensated at the customary rate paid for same or similar work

(minimum wage or higher) and eligible for the same benefits provided

to other employees

• At a location where there are opportunities to interact with people

without disabilities (excluding supervisors and support staff)

• Presents opportunities for advancement

Another way to look at it

Competitive

Integrated

Employment

Paid at least minimum wage and

comparable to coworkers

In a setting that is both inclusive

of people with and without

disabilities and is in the

community

A person with a disability

applies for and is hired to fill an

open position in the general

labor market

75% 36% 27% No disability Any disability Cognitive disability

Percentage of Working-Age Population Employed

80% 20%

Percentage of Individuals Served in Integrated Employment

(IDD pop., N=641,608)

Facility-based and non-work settings Integrated employment

# 14(c) certificates:

762

# individuals earning sub-minimum wage:

55,832

Data sources:

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/workers-with-disabilities/section-14c/certificate-holdersFacing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs (10/1/2020); https://www.statedata.info(2017 outcome data, published 2019)

(3)

Policy approach to achieving CIE

Competitive

Integrated

Employment

Paid at least minimum wage and

comparable to coworkers

In a setting that is both inclusive

of people with and without

disabilities and is in the

community

A person with a disability

applies for and is hired to fill an

open position in the general

labor market

Policy Agenda

• Elimination of 14(c) under

the Fair Labor Standards Act

• Transformation of AbilityOne

• Implementation of WIOA

• Compliance with HCBS Final

Rule

• Protections of benefits &

safety net

• Addressing asset limits

• Business incentives

• Adequate service delivery /

supports system

116th Congress: APSE Federal Legislative Priorities

• Phase out of 14(c) and subminimum wage

•Transformation to Competitive Employment Act (HR 873 / S 260) •Raise the Wage Act (HR 582 / S 150)

• Supporting implementation of WIOA and achieving CIE

•CAPABILITY Act (HR 3070)

•Disability Employment Incentive Act (HR 3992 / S 255)

• Compliance with the Medicaid HCBS settings rule

•Disability Integration Act (HR 555/ S 117) •HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Act (TBD / S3277)

• Promoting ABLE expansion

•ABLE Age Adjustment Act (HR 1814 / S 651)

• Preventing cuts to Medicaid and Social Security

•SSI Restoration Act (S 2753)

• Addressing the DSP workforce shortage crisis

•Direct CARE Opportunity Act (HR 4397)

•Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (HR 6045/ S 3369)

2021: APSE Federal Legislative Priorities

• Phase out of 14(c) and subminimum wage

• Raise the Wage Act (

HR603

,

S53

)

• Transformation to Competitive Employment Act (TBD)

• Building the capacity of the DSP Workforce to meet current and

evolving need

• Raise the Wage Act (

HR603

,

S53

)

• American Rescue Plan (

HR1319

)

• Achieving the Full Intent of Current Federal Employment First

Law (including Implementation of the Workforce Innovation

and Opportunity Act (WIOA); Compliance with the Medicaid

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule)

• National Apprenticeship Act (

HR447

)

• Disability Employment Incentive Act (

S630

)

• CAPABILITY Act (TBD)

• Promoting ABLE expansion

• ABLE Age Adjustment Act (

_{Facing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs}

HR 1814

/

S 651

)

Center and NJAPSE l March 19, 2021

The Impact of COVID-19

• Employment services significantly impacted

• Dramatic impact at start of pandemic

• 67% decreased in VR referrals

• 43% slowing in Medicaid reimbursements

• Partial recovery as a result of policy change and COVID relief efforts

• Medicaid and VR flexibility for remote/virtual service delivery

• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans

Decreased

funding

Service

closure

Staff

furlough

(4)

An Intersectional Reckoning

Adapting to Remote Supports

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%100% No Yes Remote Supports Prior to Pandemic 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% No Yes Remote Supports During Pandemic

Jun‐20Sep‐20 Feb‐21

Positions

Lost,

25%

Projected loss of DSP jobs due to COVID‐19 (n=296) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Very unlikely Unlikely Neither likely or unlikely Likely Very likely Future Use of Remote/Virtual Supports

Jun‐20Sep‐20 Feb‐21

As to the future of our field?

•A movement to deliver meaningful employment, fair wages, and career advancement for people with disabilities.

•Policy goal:

•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._{Facing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs}

APSE’s Policy Priorities for the 117

th

_Congress

Competitive

Integrated

Employment

• Elimination of 14(c) under

the Fair Labor Standards Act

• Transformation of AbilityOne

• Implementation of WIOA

• Compliance with HCBS Final

Rule

• Protections of benefits &

safety net

• Addressing asset limits

• Business incentives

• Adequate service delivery /

supports system

• Multiple bills currently being finalized for introduction

• DOJ recommendation to 898 panel for reforms to AbilityOne

• COVID Relief to include funding for HCBS, fiscal relief to

providers

• Transition Teams in DOL and DOE prioritizing issues for

First 100 Days

CIE in New Jersey

(pre-pandemic)

Competitive

Integrated

Employment

Paid at least minimum wage and

comparable to coworkers

In a setting that is both inclusive

of people with and without

disabilities and is in the

community

A person with a disability

applies for and is hired to fill an

open position in the general

labor market

# 14(c) certificates:

16

# individuals earning sub-minimum wage:

1,490

Data sources:

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/workers-with-disabilities/section-14c/certificate-holders(1/1/2020); https://www.statedata.info(2017 outcome data, published 2019)

75% 36% 27% 76% 38% 27% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Percentage of Working-Age Population Employed U.S.NJ

(5)

New Jersey activities in support of CIE

Competitive Integrated Employment

Let’s workshop this a bit – New Jersey

Opportunities

Barriers to overcome

Ways to get involved

• APSE Public Policy Committee

• Meets 2

nd

_{Thursday at 3pm EST}

• Request to join in the APSE member portal!

• State Policy Coffee Talks

•

4

th

_{Tuesday at 3pm EST}

• APSE Public Policy Facebook Group (closed)

• Sign up for Action Alerts!

National Conference

EARLY BIRD registration is now open

until March 31st, 2021!

Keep in touch!

Let us know what is happening in New Jersey!

Julie Christensen, MSW, PhD

Director of Policy & Advocacy, Interim Executive Director

[email protected]

Facing the Future Virtual Event

Q

&

A

(6)

Facing the Future Virtual Event

Margaret Gilbride, JD, CT

Director of Transition, Employment, and Aging & Disability

The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities

Immediate Past President, NJAPSE

Facing the Future Virtual Event

Stephen Torres

NJAPSE Chair of Membership and Outreach

Assistant Director of Services

Alternatives, Inc./Bridges to Employment

Association of People Supporting Employment First

NJAPSE Supported Employment AWARDS

2021

• Today, NJAPSE provides advocacy and education concerning the

value of employment translating into "Real Work for Real Pay"!

• We work to expand employment opportunities. We promote best

practices that result in services leading to employment.

• We drive state and local legislation and policy that leads to social and

economic advancement.

• Supported Employee of the Year

• Employer of the Year

• Employment Specialist of the Year

2021 NJAPSE Award Categories

Supported Employee of the Year

(7)

Supported Employee of the Year

Emily Cianfaglione

Emily began her employment journey upon graduating high school. At first very shy, Emily was reluctant to engage in conversation and would most often answer questions with a nod of her head. As a garden center associate, Emily learned how to care for the countless varieties of plants, shrubs and trees. She also learned customer service, assisting vendors, maintaining stock and many different tasks that are necessary in the store’s busiest department. As the seasons changed, Emily volunteered to work with the live Christmas trees. Throngs of holiday shoppers found their perfect Christmas tree at the Milltown Home Depot, helped by sales associate, Emily. Without hesitation, Emily wielded a chainsaw to trim the tree trunk, netted and baled the tree and toted it to the car that was usually filled with a cheerful family, impatient to bring their tree home. Emily is truly a different person from who she was a little over a year ago; she now talks to her Job Coach with determination about future goals. Facing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs Center and NJAPSE l March 19, 2021

Employer of the Year

Edible Gardens -

Brett LaTorre & Nick Simons

Brett LaTorre & Nick Simons at Edible Gardens have an outstanding commitment in providing employment opportunities to people with disabilities. Edible Garden is a sustainable hydroponic farm. When Employment Pathways received a referral for a client that was homeless, and countless barriers, Brett and Nick not only welcomed job sampling to see if a job match could be made but observed his challenges, and immediately made accommodations to assist this individual with the best opportunity for success. Edible Gardens did not hesitate to offer a part time employment and since his hire, the new employee has mastered several job duties. Today this employee has not only received a promotion to full time with a raise, but just recently accepted a driver position. We appreciate Edible Gardens for their guidance and unfailing support that has allowed so many opportunities for the people that we serve. Their commitment and dedication to our organization is invaluable. Facing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs Center and NJAPSE l March 19, 2021

Employment Specialist of the Year

Wendy Menz

Wendy is more than an employment specialist. She goes way beyond the scope of her job; working beyond her scheduled hours, doing tasks that she really isn't responsible to do, but someone needs to do them, and she sticks her neck out for her clients. She is a true advocate for disabled individuals. I began working with Wendy as my instructional aide 8 years ago. She was my right hand and helped my self‐contained classroom run like a well oiled machine. Since that time, I had become associated with adult service providers. I felt that Wendy would be amazing as an employment specialist, and referred her to work with a service providing vendor. She has since become the director of employment in Cumberland County for that company. Wendy emanates a resolve and fierceness that moves mountains for her clients. Her meticulousness follow‐through leaves no stone unturned for those she serves, and her devoted, nurturing, and warm‐ hearted nature affirms her love for anyone with whom she works. Wendy is an asset to her clients and a gift to this world. Facing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs Center and NJAPSE l March 19, 2021

Association of People Supporting Employment First

NJAPSE Supported Employment AWARDS

2021

(8)

Facing the Future Virtual Event

Margaret Gilbride, JD, CT

Director of Transition, Employment, and Aging & Disability

The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities

Immediate Past President, NJAPSE

Facing the Future Virtual Event

Breaking the Barriers

to Employing People with Disabilities

Randy Lewis, MBA

Consultant, Fortune 50 Executive,

Accidental Disability Advocate

Champion

Desire*

Opportunity*

Authority*

* Without these the initiative will be DOA.

Vision

Facing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs Center and NJAPSE l March 19, 2021 Josh Josh

… but I am not one of them…

them

Facing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs Center and NJAPSE l March 19, 2021 Facing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs Center and NJAPSE l March 19, 2021

(9)

Same jobs

Same performance expectations

Same pay

1/3 of

workforce

The pitch

The proof

The promise

✓ Vision

✓C

hampion

Method

Disability resources

On‐the‐job

internships

Work history &

interviewing skills

Prescreening

Demonstrated

performance

Transitional Work Group

PWDs

People with disabilities

Job

history

Interview

Employees

Supervisor

PWDs

PWD

Hiring

Schedule

W

C

_C

C

_C

Coach

Soft skills

2 weeks

Paid OJT

9 weeks

5

8

9 Jan

Agency

A

Prescreening

Soft skills

2 weeks

Paid OJT

9 weeks

Transitional Work Group

W

Demonstrated

performance

Transitional Work Group

5

8

9 Jan

Transitional Work Group

Paid OJT

9 weeks

Soft skills

2 weeks

Prescreening

Apr

Jul

Oct

5

8

9

5

8

9

5

8

9 PWDs

The pitch

The proof

The promise

The Demand Side

✓ Vision

✓C

hampion

✓ Method

Disability resources

(10)

The pitch

The proof

The promise

The Supply Side

The Demand Side

Who can reduce my

risk and not cost me

more?

∙

Understand my jobs

∙

Find, prescreen & select

candidates

∙

Provide on‐the‐job supports

through transition

The pitch

The proof

The promise

The Demand Side

Facing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs

The Supply Side

Center and NJAPSE l March 19, 2021 Facing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs Center and NJAPSE l March 19, 2021

(11)

People with disabilities

Peformance

same

Employee turnover 50% less

Safety costs 70% less

How does hiring people

with disabilities affect the

work environment?

Center and NJAPSE l March 19, 2021 Facing the Future Virtual Event l Sponsored by The Boggs Center and NJAPSE l March 19, 2021