Alaska’s Experience

Lack of policy that promotes work as an expectation (or employment first) Fear of losing health benefits Financial disincentives Lack of knowledge of existing work incentives

Lack of access to needed resources Lack of holistic vocational services Fragmented services Work incentives counseling, 1-stop job center

resources, assistive technology, asset building, transportation and housing

Limited employment opportunities Limited access to employment and training

programs Self-employment often viewed as “option of last

resort”

Gathered variety of information to prioritize activities

Took comprehensive approachStrategic planning (“Summits R Us”)Technical assistanceTrainingOutreachPolicy assessment

Worked within existing systems, initiatives and partnerships

Identified and leveraged resources to strategically address areas of need

Built on what’s learned

Share data Overview specific activities Discuss role of self-advocates Discuss outcomes to date and next steps Share 3 systems change tips

ALASKA’S JOURNEY SPECIFIC TO PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

The number of people in integrated employment settings increased from 266 in 2001 to 396 in 2010 (a 48.9% increase)

However, the percent of people receiving supported employment services decreased from 48% in 2001 to 35.9% in 2010 (dropped to 23.7% in 2007 – national average)

Alliance for Full Participation goal to double the number of people in integrated employment in 2015 (792)

Also want to increase percent of people receiving supported employment services by 50% (53.9%) Sheltered workshops not as big an issue as day

habilitation

ACTIVITIES TO DATE

Developed Supported Employment Action Plan Reviewed best practices used in other states Assessed Alaska’s practices against best practices Developed set of recommendations for change

Hired non-perm position to help implement action plan recommendations

Developed supported employment work plan Drafted supported employment standards for staff Provided input to inform waiver reapplication

ACTIVITIES TO DATE

Collaborated with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation on Customized Employment Grant

Secured research and demonstration grant from ODEP to increase the self-employment of Alaskans with disabilities (StartUp Alaska)

Helped plan annual Full Lives Conference Helped Employment Security Division secure

Disability Employment Initiative grant Secured funding to start two Project Search pilot

sites Held Peer Power planning meeting

PlanningAlaska Works InitiativeSupported Employment Action PlanPeer PowerAlliance for Full Participation State Plan

ROLE OF SELF-ADVOCATES

Helped plan and organize 3 federal job fairs Sent information about the job fairs to the

media Put flyers up Had a phone tree Helped with set-up and take-down Welcomed people Wrote thank-you notes

ROLE OF SELF-ADVOCATES

Planned and organized Peer Power meeting Brought self-advocates together from around

the state Talked about ways working people could help

non-working people and youth get and keep a job

Used Peer Power recommendations as a starting point for Alaska’s AFP State Plan

ROLE OF SELF-ADVOCATES

2nd Peer Power meeting scheduled for December Discuss work done to date Discuss what was learned at AFP Summit Identify specific actions Peer Power members

will take to help non-working adults and youth get and keep a job Who, what, where, when and how

ROLE OF SELF-ADVOCATES

DVR policy changes Discovery as a reimbursable service Work Incentives Counseling as a reimbursable service Self-employment policy more friendly to would-be

entrepreneurs Annual Full Lives Conference includes

employment track Expansion of Project SEARCH (3 sites) 1-stop job centers secure Employment Network

status Secured funding for microenterprise grants and

virtual business coach

SOME OUTCOMES TO DATE

Continued policy development Implement asset building strategies Waiver Plan amendments Training for individuals and families, providers,

vocational rehabilitation counselors, care coordinators and State DD staff

Unemployment Insurance data run Development of data tracking system Development of Employment Network Partnership

Plus arrangement with DVR

NEXT STEPS

Implement Alliance for Full Participation Plan Mentor/Peer-to-Peer ServicesPolicy ChangesPolicy to PracticeBusiness CollaborationTransition to Adult Life

Systems Change Tip #1

A small investment can pay a BIG return

Invested around $5,000 for speaker at annual Transit Conference

Resulted in establishment of Alaska Mobility CoalitionSuccessfully advocated for state and

federal fundingInfluenced the passage of SAFETEA-LUGovernor created Coordinated

Transportation Task Force

Systems Change Tip #2

“Glom” onto existing initiatives and activities

Had strong working relationship with Department of Education & Early Development (EED)

Joint goal to improve transition of youth with disabilities into jobs and adult life

EED provided 100% of Project SEARCH start-up costs3 operational sites2 other communities interested

Secured Youth First grant from Division of Business Partnership for expansion, technical assistance and job coaching

Systems Change Tip #3

Tip #3: Sometimes it doesn’t take money

Influence State Plan priorities and strategiesDVR’s State Plan reflects AWI activities to

improve employment outcomes of people with DD

Comment on proposed policyDVR changed self-employment policy to

make it more friendly to would-be entrepreneurs

Present results and dataDVR agreed to participate in

development, implementation and evaluation of Project SEARCH