Employment First Rule

Ohio Dept. of Developmental

Disabilities

Division of Policy and Strategic Direction

Employment First Employment Services as a 1st Option for individuals

regardless of level of disability

Employment First

not Employment Only

Employment First is not a

program, plan, or a service, it is a philosophy

* 44 States with Employment 1st Action

* Ohio 1 of 4 states with Exec. Order and Law

Ohio Dept. of MHAS

DD Council of Ohio

Ohio Dept. of DD

Ohio Dept. of Education

Ohio Dept. of Medicaid

Opp. for Ohioans with Disabilities

Ohio Dept. of JFS

Employment First Executive Order March 2012

Advisory Committee

and Taskforce Creation

Whereas… Ohio’s DD system currently spends less than 6% of available funding on supporting individuals in community employment…

5123.022 of the Ohio Revised Code

“It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state that employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities be directed at community employment. Every individual with a developmental disability is presumed capable of community employment.

Employment First

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5123.022

“.…all people with developmental disabilities are presumed capable of community employment.”

Employment First

https://doddportal.dodd.ohio.gov/rules/ineffect/Documents/5123-2-2-05%20Effective%202014-04-01.pdf

Employment First Administrative Rule Language

Every individual of working age takes part in a person-centered planning process to identify their desired employment outcome and their place on the path to community employment.

Person-Centered Planning Process

• All working-age adults • One planning process –

not separate • Discover a person’s

unique strengths, interests, abilities, preferences, resources, and desired outcomes

Person-Centered Planning Process

Designed to help each person discover:

• Where do I want to work?

• What do I like to do? • What am I good at? • What are my goals?

Employment First Administrative Rule Language

Every individual of working age takes part in a person-centered planning process to identify their desired employment outcome and their place on the path to community employment.

Person Centered Planning

Employment Goal

Place on the Path to

Employment

Every individual of working age takes part in a person-centered planning process to identify their desired employment outcome and their place on the path to community employment.

Employment First Administrative Rule Language

Path to Employment

http://www.ohioemploymentfirst.org/view.php?nav_id=63

Developed in partnership with self-advocacy groups, this publication explains the Employment First Rule for all audiences, and can be a useful tool in the person-centered planning process. Order at ohioemploymentfirst.org

(detail)

Path to Employment

I have a job but would like a better one or to move up.

1

• Individualized employment services may include:

• Follow-along

• Job coaching

• Natural support facilitation

• Skill development

• Education and training

• Job development and placement for career advancement

Career planning, Career profile development,

Benefits counseling and support

Path to Employment

• Referral to Vocational Rehabilitation

• Individualized employment services may include:

• Career Exploration

• Community-based assessment

• Skill development

• Job development

• Job coaching

• Retention

Career planning, Career profile development,

Benefits counseling and support

I want a job! I need help to find one.

2

Path to Employment

I’m not sure about work. I need help to learn more. 3

• Awareness of employment support services

• Meetings with peers who are employed

• Family meetings

• Interviewing formal and informal support network

• Learning from authentic experiences

• Exploring the multiple benefits of employment

• Addressing individual concerns

• Referral to Vocational Rehabilitation, if appropriate

Career Planning, Career Profile Development,

Benefits Counseling and Support

Path to Employment

• Awareness of employment support services

• Meetings with peers who are employed

• Family meetings

• Interviewing formal and informal support network

• Learning from authentic experiences

• Exploring the multiple benefits of employment

• Addressing individual concerns

Career planning, Career profile development,

Benefits counseling and support

I don’t want to work, but I may not know enough about it.

4

Changing Expectations

Young people with developmental disabilities will learn about employment options and planning during their school years.

Changing Expectations

A new expectation that

community employment, i.e,

competitive employment that

takes place in an integrated

setting, is the preferred

outcome for working-age

adults with developmental

disabilities.

• Develop an official Employment First policy

• Set benchmarks for community employment

• Partner with schools and other agencies to Share information about Medicaid Buy-In and other work incentives with job seekers, families and others

Policy Development Guidance

* Download at Employment First Website

* Check out several local policies on EF Website

• What steps are taken to ensure every person has an opportunity to seek employment?

• Reference the need for a “network” of qualified employment service providers?

• What services and supports are provided at each place on the path to community employment?

• Define the “front door” to services?

• Reference the importance of strategic planning and benchmarks?

• Data collection for all individuals receiving employment services

• Annual Progress Report for all individuals receiving employment services

Employment First Outcome Tracking

System

* County Boards currently have access

* Roll-out to private providers soon

Designed to tell us: What types of jobs are kept the

longest? How long do workers keep their

jobs? Are workers moving from

sheltered work to community employment?

How do workers get jobs? Do tax incentives work? How do people get to work?

Employment Outcome

Measureable Steps

Services and Supports to

reach Outcomes

PROGRESS monitoring -

Measureable steps and outcomes

Collect, Review, Revise/Update

-32 yrs old

- Lives at home with parents who are also his guardians

-Loves Elvis and kids

-Day consists mainly of social and recreational activities

-Uses a wheelchair - Maneuvers independently at home and workshop -Needs total assistance in unfamiliar settings

-Does not communicate verbally -small choices w/ a basic device

-Attends a sheltered workshop -Has for the last 15 yrs

-Parents have made it very clear they do not want him working in the community

- Lives with 4 roommates in small group home

- Loves sports, flying remote control planes and rap music

-Has a colostomy bag and needs assistance to monitor and change

-Takes medications in the morning - Unable to take medications without assistance

-Wants to work but doesn’t know what he wants to do - Strong interest in being a fireman

-His only experience has been working at the sheltered workshop in document destruction

- Recently graduated high school

-No difficulty communicating likes, dislikes and goals

-Diagnosed with depression and anxiety -Does not require supervision to take her medication

-Has a behavior support plan that addresses physical and verbal aggression and elopement

-Currently working with the County Board janitorial crew -Wants a different job in the community

-Can be a risk to herself or others- her ISP notes that she does not have any “alone time”

-Wants to be singer/songwriter

- Has never worked

- Attends a day program - Focus on socialization and recreation

-Unable to communicate verbally with peers, staff or family - Does communicate with gestures and body language

- Needs total assistance with personal care, eating, medication and engagement

-Able to walk but needs 1:1 assistance

-Enjoys being outside -No matter what the temperature!

Questions?

Kristen Helling Community Advisor

Ohio Dept. of Developmental Disabilities

614-466-6612