Event ID: 1421163 Event Started: 9/30/2009 7:00:00 PM ---------- Please stand by for realtime captions.. >> Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to the IRLU teleconference on new opportunities for centers for Independent Living. Today's topic is employment programs in centers for Independent Living. We have an expert set of speakers who will be with us in just a few minutes. All of you who are participants this afternoon are in lecture mode, which means that we will not hear you until you are prompted to ask questions. Sharon here who is at IRLU, will tell you when you can do that. Do so, you'll press star one on your telephone key pad. You'll be put in a queue and then Sharon will prompt you to ask your question when it is time to do so. This telephone conference is also captioned for persons who are hearing impaired. There was a Renning in the email that directed you to a web page where you will go -- was a link in the email -- as the teleconference is ongoing. If you would like to ask a question and you are using the captioning service, you may type your question in to the chat window at the lower right hand corner of the screen. Again, we'll give you these instructions when it's time to ask questions. But your questions will then be voiced during the teleconference. As I said, this is a teleconference which is a presentation of IRLU and the IRL net. The IRL net is a project which provides technical assistance and training and publications and resources to centers for Independent Living an statewide independent councils. The IRL net is a partnership of IRLU in Houston and the association of programs for rural Independent Living in little rock Arkansas. >> This webcast today is on employment programs for centers for Independent Living. We've previously done programs on housing and new opportunities around home, a community-based programs. We have additional programs for the future so watch our email adnounsments for additional -- announcements for additional teleconferences coming up in the next year. >> The topicsed to are what centers can offer, why centers should be involved in employment programs? We'll talk about collaborations with Workforce Investment Boards and rehabilitation programs. We'll give some examples -- excuse me please, we'll give some examples of each lair programs and we'll -- exemplary programs and expand your involvement in employment programs. Our presenters have a great deal of experience in employment programs for centers for -- who is Executive Director of the resource center for Independent Living in the Utica New York area. Also the center that Burt directs is noted for it's innovative programs an its diversity. The center provides a wide array of services to people with disabilities. Chief operating officer of [ Indiscernible ] Has had a key role in the centers employment programs. Alice [ Indiscernible ] Is the Executive Director of the Utica area Workforce Investment Board an has collaborated with Burt and Joanne in many employment programs. John Tracy is the regional coordinator of the New York state vocational rehabilitation agency and he too, has been a collaborator and partner in the work these organizations have done. Again, I'll remind you that later we'll be prompting you for questions. We'll begin the presentation. It's a pleasure to have our excellent group of speakers. I'll ask burden to begin the presentation. >> Thank you Richard: Hello to everyone around the country. We're talking to you from Utica, New York, which is considered up state New York between Albany and sore kyes. Our center was incorporated in 1983, approximately. Shortly thereafter we got involved in employment programs. I'd like to tell you a little bit about that. On a personal level, work has always been very important to me and many people at the center. It really is based -- this is where people feel useful, competent, belonging and also develop some opportunities to be self-sufficient. Where we've gone over the years is from talking about it and referring people for employment and even advocating for their employment opportunities to actually operating a multimillion dollar employment program for a fairly significant number of people. Although it is not in the legislation, I want to impress upon you that I think employment should be a core service. That it is central to people's lives. That there are a number of opportunities, not only for consumers who will engage in employment, but also it provides great opportunities for the center as well. We'll talk about that over the next hour and a half. I just wanted to give a pretty brief overview of how we got in to this and Joanne is discuss a few more specifics. Then we'll move on with [ Indiscernible ] Of the Workforce Investment Board and John Tracy of the voch rehab agency which has been very important partners. Early on, after being incorporated as an Independent Living center, we started having internal discussions, both with consumers, board and staff, as to whether we should start participating in employment programs. At that point in time, there were relatively few if any Independent Living centers who engaged with that. There was a feeling that we would take on the characteristics of the traditional service provider by just being another vendor of employment. We literally had round table discussions for almost six months to decide whether we should move in this direction. At some point in time it just became obvious what is more core to being end dependent than having a job and a career and an opportunity to financially experience what everyone else does. At that point in time we made the commitment of getting board acknowledgment, to get involved in employment. What we want to talk about over the next several minutes here, over the next hour or so how this fit perfectly with what an end pen debit center can be. How you can apply all the core values and the principles of the organization such as consumer control, consumer direction to employment services, which really deferent Yates us from traditional providers. How it expands the par perimeter of relationships that you have in the community as well as the state and country both in terms of funding as well as other agreements with multiple businesses, grass roots organizations and funding sources and how this plays a terribly important part of furthering public policy issues. Joanne? >> I think to add to that Burt, talk about how consumer choice plays in to that. I really think that our experience was really paying attention to the individuals that were walking in to the door, what their needs were and you know, for us, the employment services really built many opportunities to do some systemic advocacy that we hadn't envisioned initially. Burt talked about employment services being part of the core service for Independent Living. I don't really know what's more core choice than the financial assets to make that choice than having a job and being able to choose between an HMO and a traditional health care provider. You have some different things on the menu when you have employment. The programs here at RCIL are offered as far as some traditional direct transitional employment services, but we've had the opportunity again, by really being innovative and paying attention to what people are saying coming in the door and developing partnerships with voch rehab and with the web to really have an emphasis on the mission of the organization. A couple of highlights over the years would really be that we had entered in to a shelters workshop alternative program. That was a program that was recognized nationally an by the world institute on disability. Not only for the partnership between [ Indiscernible ] Which took the lead in identifying individuals that were targeted for shelter'd workshop Andy verting them but also in -- and diverting them but also to move 85 individuals in to integrated employment and close the sheltered workshop. So that was one project that was obviously very consistent with developing the least restrictive environment and moving people in to integrated employment. That demonstration project was funded by RSA who later made a decision that sheltered workshop closures would no longer be an acceptable rehab. We've also been involved in looking at thing as little bit differently with the work force investment system and also with vest I'd, we have spent a lot of time talking about the transportation problems that were preventing people from going to work. We knew what all the issues were, we knew what the limb stations were to our transportation system. We collaborated in finding some funds to help people to purchase their own cars. So again, we're building assets, we're solving some of the problems that keep people underemployed or unemployed in our community. We also opened up a teach hire employment -- temp to hire employment agency. This agency is for profit agency. Feed back in to the advocacy services in the organization. I think it's the ultimate of employment because if you are involved in employment through Columbia place associates you don't have to disclose disability. You are not disclosing by association. You can go to work if you need money today, you can go to work. You don't have to wait for intakes to be done and people to assess you and people to help you write a vocational plan. You can just get a job. We've had some wonderful success with that. We're currently involved in kicking off a new program. It's about a year old called Main Street where we're really working with youth because we know there's a 45% drop out rate for kids with disabilities from the school system. Those kids are in our prison systems and so Main Street we're starting to get involved not only with the juvenile Justice system, the work force system at a much younger age to really try to put the supports together to embrace these kids with what they need to move forward and take a different path. >> Alice, do you want to give the [ Indiscernible ] Perspective? >> Sure. Good afternoon everyone. Our system works with employers and consumers and other partner agencies to assist customers in training, interviewing, networking and securing employment, but the work force staff are employment counselors and advisors so we depend on partner staff to -- with any barriers that limit their possibility of meaningful employment. Part of the work force investment act or WIA title four ledgelation -- significant disabilities and states are required to provide a minimum level of services even if funds are limited. So our partnership allow us to deliver a better service to those individuals that have disabilities and they allow us to be more innovative with the staff that we have. As I said, our staff are good employment counselors and they know how to help people find jobs, but they're not necessarily experienced in serving populations as well as have barriers to employment. To assist us in providing these services over the last 7 years our local [ Indiscernible ] Independentlying. They have a presence in our One-Stop centers and they see customers as they come through the door. In addition, we've contracted with RCIO to provide services under different grants that we have sought ourself. We have been successful at securing those grants I think, because of the varied partner ships and the strong relationships we've had with RCIL and [ Indiscernible ] Or voch rehab a -- I think to say they are mandated partner doesn't really give a true picture of the value of the relationship and their presence in the center and the value of their presence in the center. I think the best example 06 how we worked -- of how we worked together successfully in our local area was a customized employment grant. It was supposed to be a five year grant and we partnered with more than 15 different agencies. The real innovative things and the strong partnerships came from -- came with an experienced stall aren'ted director at no cost to the front. Who had the experience and the training to understand what the needs were. We also contractedded with RCIL for a unique program that provided directed funds to meet emergency employment needs, such as auto repairs. Things that Joanne was referring to earlier. Auto purchases. Home accommodations. Emergency rent. Heat or child care. That was the first time the work force system had been involved in that kind of service delivery. It took some attitude changes and what people needed but we were giving a much better assessment of what their true needs were and their barriers to employment. We could go with many different partners. We developed many new partnerships through that grant including legal aid, peacemakers and community-based organizations. We are a three county rural work force area. Agencies that had not worked with before. They produce strong partnerships. Although because of the funding cuts in the last administration, the federal budget was cut and the funds were only available to us for three years instead of five. With the help of all our partners and under the direction of our project director, which was very experienced in this kind of work, we were able to meet our five year goals for employment in three years. Today, years after that grant ended, those partnerships and referral networks are still very active and strong. Because of that customized employment grant, we received a pilot project grant from the button blat institute at sore deuce university to rejuvenate that program and see if we can found ways to sustain it. We have worked with voch rehab and the resource center for independence living on many different grants. One was the wheels for work, which we talked about and the customized employment but we also have partners with industry grant, in which RCIL staff provide service to young people up to age 24 who are transitioning from school to work. They work in partnership with our staff to provide that service. Really, we depend on each others expertise to come out with the outcomes that we need. So I'd be very glad to answer any questions or turn it over to John Tracy from [ Indiscernible ] For his comments. >> Do you want me to jump in now Burt? >> Yes. Please. >> One of the things when I was asked to participate in this particular teleconference. Burt was great. He had to remind me though, Independent Living centers and state vocational rehab agencies aren't necessarily partnered in other areas of the country. That's a useful reminder to me because even in my own organization when we talk about relationships with community partners, some of my own colleagues in the VR program will look at me wonder how is it that you've got such a good relationship with the Independent Living center? Joanne stepped on some of my better leans. She indicated that we had been involved with the Independent Living center for a full before of years going back to closing developmental centers. Shelters employment program and helping folks in the community. When we were looking for partners to help with employment related services, we knew we needed an organization who got it, someone who is connected in the community who can relate to the employment community -- access for individuals in -- we always knew the Independent Living center prior to that served a vital and important role in advocacy. If you excuse the expression, we could pitch but we didn't know if they could catch. We were interested in determining whether or not they could be a viable provider of employment related services. Repeatedly, they have shown that they can. They have had innovative leadership and forward thinking from Burt an his Board of Directors. When the programming were getting off the grown it was Joanne's leadership on the direct service line that enabled us to get things going. When the state VR program, which is called [ Indiscernible ] In New York state. When we spend money in purchase services we have to do it in a contractual arrangement. Before I came over today, I took a look at the size of our contracts. Our two principle contracts were supported employment and something called a unified service contract which is an em bell will contract most notably direct placement. The Independent Living center is the largest contractor in both of those services for my entire [ Indiscernible ] Area. They get it. They're innovative and forward thinking an they produce results. When Burt and I discussed this earlier. He talked about the fact that the targeted population would be ILCs across the country. I really this employment fits within the scope of your mission because, you know, after you introduce yourself, the second question on somebody's mind is what do you do for a living? That's how people in our society identify themselves. So it fits in to your mission, I would think because it's also a civil rights issue. If any other protected class had the same level of unemployment with disabilities, there would be an outcry. It's been a real find for us to have RCIL as a partner in providing employment services in my district office. Back to you Burt. >> Should we stop for a minute to see if there are questions? >> If anyone has a question that's on the teleconference today, if you could please press star one to raise your hand. For those of you who are joining via the captioning, if you would email your question toILRU@ILRU.ORG. We'll get to your questions just as soon as they come in. We have a question from area code 816. >> Hello. My name is Tiffany rad cliff. Independent Living center in Kansas City, Missouri. Part of what I do is assist clients with developing goals to help them become more independent in our community. Our center would like to learn more about how we can develop programs to assist our clients who want to go back in to employment. One of the things that we typically do is refer a lot of our clients to the specialized agencies that provide specific employment services and listening as they're talking about I guess what I'm wanting to find out is what suggestions or advice would you give to me to maybe go back and talk with my Executive Director about as far as really developing a project or program to allow us to really get more in-depth in providing employment services for our clients? >> >> So the first thing would be to started some conversations about how and why the center should be involved with this. Part of that is to understand how there are so many other activities within an Independent Living center that complement and supplement what you're already doing like benefits advisement. That's such a key part of working with individuals to go to work or back to work. We are experts to get accommodation. We know about ADA as anyone else and can work with employers to put together accommodations that can allow for the hiring of very -- a pool of qualified people. We also are very connected to the community and very good advocates. Those are a lot of strong programs and Clarkty Ricks that we already have -- characteristics that we already have programs in. It's also an area that ties you in to more community organizations, businesses and people. So you start developing a lot more relationships that can enhance what we already are trying to do. For example, if you are successful in assisting a business to find a qualified worker. You have a friend for life. I don't know about in Kansas, but despite this awful economy that we're all in, we continuously hear that employers cannot find good applicants. The cost of looking for good applicants or hiring a not so good applicant is really extraordinary for employers. This puts you in a perfect situation to develop more friends in the community. I think another thing that you can talk about with your Executive Director and staff and board is that this also helps in our efforts to redefine the whole notion of what it means to have a disability in this country. We still have people calling up here for various things, from our center. They always ask the question, are you working? Still far too many people say no; I have a disability. As if those two things were mutually exclusive. I think it's a very strong statement for an Independent Living center to say that employment is important. We're going assist people with that. Start continuing to change this whole perception that just because someone has a disability that they do not necessarily have the opportunity to work. So those are some of the first things that I would do tiff knee and I think we can get in to other statistics in another half hour. Does that answer your question? >> Yes. Thank you. >> We have a question from area code 706. Good afternoon. Hello? >> How you doing this afternoon? >> Good. Thank you. >> Now my question is in reference of being juveniles drop out from high school with a disability. I heard one of the presenters said that they are involved in that. I would like to know, how do you go about as an Independent Living center in Augusta, Georgia in networking, how do you go about getting [ Indiscernible ] In working with those youths that are drop outs with disabilities? >> Hi, this is Joanne. I think with this question and then to add something to Burt's answer earlier, it really is about building relationships. It's about learning from the organizations that are already involved with these kids out there. Learning from the systems and then bringing in your expertise to the systems. In our case, we really got involved. The involvement started from one young woman who the system was just not serving her well. She was involved in the. >> I nil justice system. She really needed a job. She was having Dickty in school and the systems response to that was going to be segregation. To put her in an institutional setting. We really spent some time working with the family court judge, with the mom, with the appointed legal representative for the child in the court system. We said look, here are some other options. We brought that IL perspective. We brought the knowledge that we had gained in the employment system and some partners that we could call on. LS being one of them. We have an urgent situation. We need some help for this kid. >> Bringing your partners to the table. >> All right. We have a question from area code 845. Hello? >> Good afternoon. You can ask you question now. Hello? >> I believe those are all of our questions for now. Maybe we can use psychic ability to think about what the question was and just answer it, can we do that? >> Well I have one more question. It just popped up. Are you available? We have a call from 808. >> Hello? >> Hi. Good morning. I was interested in finding out if any of you had a chance to work with Social Security administration with their ticket program to provide employment opportunities for persons with disabilities? >> I'd like to take a crack at that Burt and you and Joanne can jump in later. This is John from the voch rehab program. I think that in addition to possibly encouraging ILCs to hire grant writers so they can look for opportunities to interject themselves in to the employment arena. One of the other things you might want to consider is becoming an employment network. The Ticket to Work legislation, especially in it's latest iteration with the amendments last year, really provide an opportunity for community-based organizations. An ILC would be a great one to do this to partner with the state VR program in being a provider to help people maintain employment. It's a situation where a lot of money is being left on the table. The community-based organizations could help consumers maintain his or her job, it could help the state VR program by maintaining, helping that person to maintain the job for the 9 months as sub tannable gainful employment activity. At the same time for the ILC, it could generate revenues by helping that individual stay employed. I think that's a great idea and I'm glad you brought it up. >> We are -- we do have an employment network under the Ticket to Work and have been for some time. Originally, the way the prom was constructed, it was pretty difficult to provide the service but as John suggested, that has changed. So we get referrals from that frequently. We're getting reimbursed for that service. It's having us work with another group of people who we may not have had access to before. We're also able to utilize some other services that we have at the center. I bet that many of you operate under the Social Security administration the win pa program with the benefits previously with the benefits counseling program. The two of them work closely with each other. We can assist people in really campenning the effect of work on their benefits and utilize some of the programs through the employment Ticket to Work to help people get jobs. The other thing that may increase that opportunity is if in the not too distant future congress figures out how to deal with health insurance, that's going to make it more attractive and less fearful for people to go to work. That despite some states -- Medicaid buy in program, there's still some concern about what happens when you lose the benefits and have some preexisting conditions. So if that health insurance reform does include provisions to not lock out people who have preexisting conditions, that could also significantly impact individuals willingness to get involved in the Ticket to Work. >> This is Richard petty. We have a resource page for this teleconference and one of the links on that resource page is a piece on becoming an employment network so I would encourage people who are on the teleconference to go to the IRLU.org web page. Then go to webcast and then a Linh tocked to's webcast and you will find there a resource page with a number of useful listenings including, as I said a piece on becoming an employment network. >> Those were all of our questions for now. Thank you. >> Why don't we move onto the next section. That is employment program opportunities for CILs. >> Okay. Let me start off here. Alice mentioned in the previous discussion that we were able to develop a very strong partnership and collaborate on a number of funding opportunities that have increased significantly the amount of employment programs locally for individuals with disabilities. She mentioned the customized employment grant. One of the purposes of that is to make the whole work force system more accessible. We also had the opportunity to be a member of the One-Stop, where actually sitting there with other partners and becoming an important partner there. We're seeing some individuals who have may not necessarily wanted to come in to a voch rehab agency.Work with younger individuals both teens and young adults where we have projects with industry program, which specifically works with that population. We also were able to get funds for what's called a service navigator to assist people, literally navigating or brokering services for people in a very complex system. Some of the collaboration that we've done, I think Alice down plays a little bit, has really allowed us to bring in more than our fair share and to this community. I think as a local work force investment -- because of this strong form of collaboration. Also, as Joanne mentioned we were able to start a program to buy cars for peoplement when the funds for that ran out we were able to tap in to another state agency in to New York state so that we can actually buy vehicles for people. That was in response to -- as in the case of a lot of areas especially less urban areas that the lack of good transportation is a major barrier to work. So we buy cars for people. We help them with insurance, repairs. We get them maintenance agreement. So what this has done, some of the offshoots of all this is we now have partnerships with not only the traditional cast of characters but some of our partners are banks, insurance companies and car dealers. I think we have major relationship that was never in the original plan to have relationships with car dealers. That has allowed for some other opportunities that were totally unanticipated so those were some of the opportunities. Also in the public policy arena, being involved here has put us at the table with a lot of other employment providers and employment funders. So we have a list of -- not to go over that with you -- but almost one and a half dozen funders at the federal, state, local, private, for profit, for bigs -- we now have opportunities to try to influence public policy and integrated employment in a number of venues. Specifically, what we're doing right now is that this has encouraged us over the last few years to actually promote legislation that we wrote to take the institutional and segregation bias out of every public dollar in New York state. This bill was passed by both houses and legislative houses in New York state and new governor patter son, which some of you may have heard about. I believe the first blind governor in the country vetoed the bill because it would create too much work for state agencies. It has really seen some traction and now the state agencies that are trying to collaborate on some [ Indiscernible ] Implementation are now using some of the principles for innovated employment that we developed as their guide posts for what needs to be done. >> Turn this over to Alice and John. >> To be part of another system that has more resources and clout I think that's Independent Living centers with the agenda that we have T public policy agenda we have that type of partnership could become very powerful. >> >> The VR was purported to be a mandated partner. We talked about it and you came down on the side of I need to be here because I -- if I'm at the table, we can advance the cause of folks with disabilities and make sure that that's part of the agenda. I think back to the comment or the question that Tiffany had earlier, how could she influence her Executive Director and I think of get involved. Be there, be part of the discussion. Go to the One-Stops look for grant opportunities. Before employers have a really difficult time finding workers and we have to make sure that every population in our community has access to the training and the skill development that employers need so that we can take full advantage of the opportunities for employers and businesses to grow to make a strong economy. So that every citizen of the community can have the opportunity to work. This relationship has been have important to the board andemployers have found that this population with certain barriers are loyal and hard working and when given the opportunity do a great job. >> They are getting refunds of anywhere from a few hundred dollars toe several thousand dollars. Now we're working on developing individualized development accounts which would allow people to use the refunds that they get to leverage additional money both federal and local on anywhere from a one to one to a 9 to 1 basis. Money can be put in an account that doesn't interfere with any benefits and that money could be used to support a person in education, buying a home or starting a business. So now we're talking about real opportunities for both a career ladder as well as assistance in developing some assets. That's really a pretty profound move toward a self-sufficiency. So I think it's a great question to talk about what benefits to Emily yores but also some additional benefits to employee. To people with disabilities and elderly individuals. >> I think employers do utilize that. I think what we have found over time is that although there are different incentives either tax benefits or a various kinds or on the job training, which is available through booth the VR agency and I believe the Workforce Investment Board that what employers are looking for is really qualified people. Incentives are nice and enhance it but it doesn't convince people to hire people that they don't want to hire. Predominantly interested in getting a good employee. I don't know what your experience John and Alice and Joanne has been in that area. >> No for the most part, there are some employers that we work with who are aware of certain tax breaks, but that comes down the line. What they want more than anything is you're assurance and if you had a relationship and if you could build up some credibility with them, your assurance that your ear referring to them can meet their employment needs will be a contributing member of their work force and not a head ache to them. When I hire somebody that's what I want too. >> A nice bonus but not really an incentive to hire a particular person. >> Okay. I have several more questions via email and calls as well. I'll ask this last email question and then we'll take questions from the telephone line. The question is hear in Texas we have the department of -- they have vocational rehab as part of the services they provide. I assume you have similar state programs where you are. We find this a very important partnership. Is it the same there? >> This is John Tracy. That would be the agency in Texas that the writer referred to is who I work for in New York state. >> We have a question from area code 914. Good afternoon. >> This is mill did from Winchester I wanted to find out, we have a disability program navigator that's the person stationed at the One-Stop. We also have a prom that's a vocational -- barely touching the surface of job development. The whole idea of stepping in to that like big time or taking on a program where you get funded, if you are able to place someone just seems like a risk, I guess or a big risk. Especially if we don't have any experience in that. >> Combination of RSA which is a small amount of money or the state voch rehab through the state. Either through the voch rehab agency or the relationship is. I don't know about all of you, but in New York state, we have a horrible budget situation. We had $30 billion cut from the budget last year and they're looking for 3 to $4 billion cut. I think selling stat on the island to get some money. So I think there's a big -- you're kind of talking about how to make this leap. Maybe some of the financial risks especially on contracts that are performance-based. I think there's this huge risk of not expanding a funding base for yourself or being codependent on other sources that could be easily reduced or eliminated. Every center in New York state has experienced budget cuts from Independent Living line items and this past year, we claim victory because we stayed level, which really isn't much of a victory. So I think you have to assess some of the opportunities compared to the risk. It is different. It is more Performance-Based. As you know through some of the indicators and standards for Independent Living on a national level, we have requirements for certain lefts of paper work and board of directors. Planning and things like that. But it isn't necessarily Performance-Based. Getting paid for doing something that -- successfully, similarly for the Ticket to Work. Only get paid if the person goes to work. I think that the vast majority of consumers are so interested in coming in to a center that they already trust to be able to take the next step to start looking for employment that the risk is really pretty low. It requires maybe a little different thinking because it is performance-based. There are some cash flow issues. For those of us who are receiving title 7 funds, I believe if you go online, in a couple of days the money is in the bank. Right now, we're still trying to get reimbursed for a contract a year ago from some state agencies. So it does give you a little more exposure, but I really think that the opportunity outweighs that. Not to get in to great details of this and in fact we discussed whether it would make some sense to have like a 2 or 3 day session just on how to develop these programs because this is kind of a quick buffet of all of this. Another opportunity with providing a full range of employment services is that you're not tied to just contracts. That when you're doing it on a per deyum or performance basis, the funds really become more disdepression air. >> We we start to hammer the state -- we get $1 million in New York state. That's a successful year when we get $1 million for nearly 40 Independent Living centers. You can do the math on what you can do with that a opposed to employment programs that give you an opportunity to really reach more people get at the public policy table with a lot of new partners and have a much greater impact at a systems level as well as on an individual level. Does that answer your question? >> Yes. I guess related to that is the Columbia place associates, is that part of you or you said that was separate from you? >> It is a part of -- it's a separate non-for profit organization -- for profit, I'm sorry. We have a parent organization. It's separated but not separate, in that we operate at the same as any other for profit temp to hire employment agency. So we make some projections related to individuals that are coming in the door. Right now, we can estimate the number of people with disabilities that are getting served there. We think that's about 30%. That's only because they only self-disclose or where they're referred from because it's an employer. We don't ask any disability questions. We do however, also offer the individuals that are coming in the door ask us to the supports that are available through the center. So if they need assistance with health care stuff, if they are eligible for the EITC, thenned income tax program, they can take average of that. -- earned income tax program. If they need to apply for Social Security, they can access a lot of supports and services here. We're also finding that a lot of individuals who are coming in the door through Columbia placed associates, the temporary job works for them because they have a disability, have not been tied to any disability organizations in the community so they have difficulty maintaining employment but didn't want to associate with the human service organizations. It's another option. The other thing is again, from a program perspective because of the close relationship or individuals that are working with RCI also employment program that have been referred from voch rehab who maybe have a history of being unsuccessful in employment. Just need to try some jobs without having that commitment so they can evaluate things and see what's going to work for them. Columbia [ Indiscernible ] Associates is a great opportunity because there's no commitment. They can call in the morning just like any other temp agency and say this isn't working out for me. They can call the person that they're working with ICRL I hated that job. It was horrible. >> That's great. Thank you. >> We have -- next is 816. Hello? >> Hello. This is Tiffany with another question. My question is, I've worked as a client with vocational rehabilitation here in Missouri and also as an Independent Living specialist to work with vocational rehabilitation to assist some of my other cleans who are wanting employment. One of the things that many of them tell me is that working with vocational rehabilitation, they're told that they're unable to work with the client to receive employment because they are 95% disabled or 100% disabled and VR has told them they are unable to provide the clients with assistance. I'm just wondering, how do VR agencies make that determination and if that is the case, that VR is saying that they are unable to assist cleans because they are 95% disabled or 100% disabled and this is what my clients are telling me, then what other options do they have? >> I think that one and anyone else can jump on this. My role has been when people come to RCIL with that, it's usually not just because VR has told them that. It's because when they were going through school, the focus, the emphasis was always on disability and what they couldn't do. They parents were told that they should go to a sheltered workshop and that they really shouldn't go out to work in the community. So you know, sometimes going to VR and having a good handle on what you can do and what you can contribute and working with somebody and sitting down with somebody before you get to voch rehab and really developing a realistic plan about some of those things can make the difference in that experience. I think a lot of times, even if it comes to getting documentation from doctors or whatever, the doctors may not see what the possibilities are so you may have to help somebody work with that and be to VR with a plan that they can't argue with. >> I also think Tiffany what you're talking about is another justification for why centers should be involved in employment. We can make such a wonderful case about potentials and ability. It's also another justification for why having multiple funding sources is important. Depending upon the state or even a regional office, some systems are a little harder to penetrate than others. But if you have multiple sources, including work force investment act money, or even as we've described, a private temp agency, you can actually million p people get -- help people get in to different activities to make it easier in allowing the state agency to develop a greater comfort level. I think your question is just a great justification for why we're involved. Because of -- it may not necessarily be clear. The whole -- I'm sure you've all had this experience. We have a lot of people who come to the center and are working, have families, have homes and maybe 30 years ago, they never saw daylight. They were in large institutions. They were in developmental centers, psychiatric centers. Now it's hard to find someone who just based on their disability doesn't have the capacity to work. I guess that's a very strong principle that we have. There may be certain other barriers based on any number of things but the more you get into this -- for example, we've been butting heads with the providers of sheltered workshops around New York state for some time. Where they keep justifying why people cannot work competitively. After having shut down a sheltered workshop an assisted several people to transition from shelter employment to competitive employment, they can't give us that justification because it's not correct. It's hard to find reasons why people can't work. I think this gives you -- this is where the direct service and the public policy work gets so interwoven, where you're demonstrating what can be done and then can push public policy and maybe in your statement, I'm sorry if I refer it to as Kansas [ Indiscernible ] Individuals from the system may not have thought were eligible before -- what they consider the severity of the disability -- influence the system not just in your own community but for the state of Missouri. >> Burt, these are some great answers. Let's take within more question quickly and then move on so that we can get through the topic of some of the first steps people can take to initiate an edge employment program. >> One question area code 713. >> Hello. >> Yes. >> This is Barbara of [ Indiscernible ] My question is with these employment services be offered to all persons with disabilities or only those on Social Security disability programs using their definition of disability? >> We offer services to anyone that comes in the door looking for them. It's to all persons. We help them evaluate their financial situation and plan for building assets as part of the process. We try to take a comprehensive look and developing an individual plan for everyone that comes in the door. >> Thank you. >> Just a little more to that, another reason why we've gone after so many different funding sources. Often times a funding source only wants to support someone who is related to their system like the developmental disability system or the mental health system or the alcohol abuse system. By getting funding from multiple sources, we more often than not are able to find some way of providing employment services. That's why the relationship with the [ Indiscernible ] Has been so important. That's basically how we had a very large employment program for [ Indiscernible ] This summer. They're not necessarily eligible because of their age or grade level for vocational rehabilitation services but the Workforce Investment Board had the ability to fund -- I think we had 35 kids having a job this summer for the first time in their lives which is just the beginning of a great experience, sending a resume an a career ladder. We've worked very hard to try to patch every hole that we can think of so that as Joanne said anyone who walks in the door and wants to work, we find a way to do it. >> I think the next and last section about this is what the first steps are. >> I'll take a shot at this for a few minutes. I think in response to, again, a question that Tiffany says is is how you talk to your Executive Director. Not just because we did it, but this has to become part of your center planning process to see if this is something you feel comfortable with to see if this is something you want to do. Although, I'd like to encourage you to look at this differently. I think you should justify why you shouldn't do it. We are really sensed that this is so poor disability rights, human rights and the independent living center. I think if you were to start brown bag lunches to talk about this. If you were able to start discussing this among staff, bring in consumers who you already serve. Have some hope houses to get some feedback and then start the discussion process with your board. There are many boards who are comfortable not doing something new. You have to provide some leadership for the whole organization on why the move in this direction. [ Buzzing noise. ] >> We have a bit of a problem right now. I believe our fire alarm is going off. We'll check that out and then if Alice and John can continue this discussion on how to get started, hopefully we'll be right back and hopefully it's not our building burning down. Excuse us. > >> [ LAUGHTER ] >> There is a Workforce Investment Board in every state and there are federal funds and grants that are available working with people with disabilities and helping them overcome barriers to employment is a requirement of the work force investment act. So I would say that your Local Workforce Investment Board should be willing, able, and happy to work with Independent Living centers because you bring in expertise that our system values and help us to get to consumers that meet our services. So I would suggest that you get involved with your local work force board. Go to their meetings. Go to their local One-Stops and see how you can work together because they're locally driven systems, every system is different. You have to ask questions and look around and tell them about what you have to offer. I think you'll find in most cases you can come to some mutual relationship that works for both of you. >> One of our previous callers had asked a question about employment networks and ticket to work and someone else had referenced a disability program navigators. There's a variety of programs that allow folks the opportunity to inject their expertise in to the equation. To the degree that you find those opportunities, the only way you can do it is by being at the table. Burt made that decision early on with the Workforce Investment Board, that he wanted to be at the table. Because of that, I think he's had an opportunity to influence the direction that our board has taken. There's a variety of opportunities out there and Alice and the staff of the Workforce Investment Board have been very entrepreneurual going out and looking for alternate funding streams to expand the services beyond simply the work force investment act funding. Just like Burt talked about the price for inaction. That's what the work force investment board in our area has done. We've got entrepreneurial just like the Independent Living center has. >> This is Richard -- I have a couple of questions for you. If you're approached by someone from the center of Independent Living, what are you going to be looking for them to bring to the table? What do you need and want from them? What makes them a viable partner for you? >> What we do especially when we apply for various grants that become available is we call all of the partner agencies in the community an we say we're going to get together next Tuesday and we're going to -- we're looking for ideas on how we can accomplish this goal for this grant and what you want to do -- what you can contribute to that and what you will need in exchange for that contribution. So the first meeting is usually quite crowded but by the second meeting, the crowd get as little thinner and agencies particularly in this case ICRL come and tell us. If the grant is asking you to place 270 individuals with barriers, here is what we can do to help you on and the that goal and we will provide the staff that will do X, Y and Z and it will cost this amount. We whether get you this many placements. Really, that's how we design grant applications here. We don't have any preconceived idea about how it will be done. We look to our partners on how they can do their piece of it that makes the most sense for them. Now sometimes funding is cut. We don't get as much as we ask for and we have to negotiate some of that. But usually people are very agreeable to do that because we have a common cause, a common goal in the community to help the community help these people find work. We don't really look for anything. Of course, you look at an agency and say are they going to be able to do what they say they're going to do. They have never failed us with their expectations. They underpromise and overdeliver. It's really been a great relationship. But if you have a reputation for delivering on what you say, then that would be all that we would look for. Unique ideas because you're the specialist. You're the expert in this field and we look to you for what you tell us will work. >> Typically, when you contract with [ Indiscernible ] You're contracting them for a preset of services. Not just job placement, is that right? >> That's correct. We usually contract with them for case management. We make referrals from if One-Stops or they make referrals to a program that fits a particular person's needs and we contract with them for case management services usually. Supportive services for the client. But sometimes there are specific grant applications for specific programs that have diaphoned parameters -- defined parameters around it just like the wheels to work program. Then we'll look to the Independent Living center for those particular services they signed on for. It comes back to being present probably at your meetings and in contact with you. If you're someone who is [ Indiscernible ] For Independent Living and the work force boards are going be thinking about you if you're visible and there and connected. If you have an existing relationship, that's probably going to make Workforce Investment Boards to reach out with centers. If those centers are a known quantity. >> On our board he attends meetings. We're invited to their meetings. They run some educational programs that we've been involved with. We send our staff too. So it's just being there and seeing each other. In course of conversation and the daily task of business, you exchange information that becomes valuable because they know that you're able to achieve what they need done. >> I wanted to let you know that Joanne and I are back. That our building didn't burn down. It was just a fire drill. Sorry for the interruption. >> We're relieved that you are back. >> So are we. So are we. If I could adjust a couple of other things. -- add just a couple other things. I think within title 7 moneys that you could if you had that opportunity to allocate some money to start getting involved in employment activities. It also requires thinking about different types of staff. If you're going to -- you may need some different skill sets some different characteristics of some staff once you get involved in this. To do job development or work with employers may take some experiences that are a little different than what you might have under a different program. So you have to think that through. Then start budgeting as the question from west Chester was on how are you going to finance some of this up front. It might be a good way identify a long range plan, but the suggestions of being at the table, half of being alive is being there. Getting to some of those meetings, letting some of the funding sources know that you are very interested in doing this. I think that a lot of funding sources who promote em limit is very interested in opening that up because they're always looking at how to be more successful especially if you can build a case statement to articulate -- independent center can bring to the table. I think that's what a lot of funding sources are interested in. Will be delighted you are interested to going this direction. >> I have a quick question and then maybe we can take some other questions from the telephone. You guys have a really good positive working relationship that you've developed over time and you have a bit of trust. That may not always be the case with centers and other Workforce Investment Boards. One question that centers might be interested in is what incentives that the Workforce Investment Boards have to reach out and work with other community organizations? >> It's part of the law that we have to serve people most in need that includes barriers to employment, veterans, people low income or low skilled. That is the work force investment act of priority services. So -- >> You have a built in need to work with organizations [ Indiscernible ] >> Correct. You can do it yourself but you are not going to do it as well because you don't have the expertise to do it. An agency like RCIL, they are the experts at providing support services and being able to do the benefits advisement, we strong a staff that could do that. That's the incentive for us. >> So [ Indiscernible ] Coming in and we are the disability experts. >> Exactly. >> I think the question is almost better to ask about the relationship with the state VR agency. Nationally, there is -- it's not uncommon for there to be tention between independent centers and the state VR agency an I think historically here that was amplified because we had the client assistance program. Where we were supporting individuals who had concerns about their voch rehab services, so we weren't necessarily like the dream partner because of that. In fact, I think it took some years to really be able to separate what our different roles are. I have to give credit to both the staff here but also the VR agency, John's office to be able to do that. At one level, we're really a pain in the neck. We're trying to do our job under that congressly mandated program of supporting people in their bid to get voch rehab services and that also meant and means at times we're supporting people who do not necessarily have great cases but we think they're entitled to the due process. So that's really taken a lot of work to have everyone -- I guess mature and feel comfortable with separating those things out knowing ha the intentions are. Although we have points of conflict, if I can talk about this openly, we've been able to talk about what we have in common and what we can do to benefit each other. Again, it's similar to the earlier question that the benefits really outweigh some of the negatives. There are probably better partners than we are. We're always pushing a disability human rights agenda. People don't want to hear that. Can you sign this and do what you're suppose today and don't make waves. Don't try to make us do something differently. That's taken a lot of work. I guess maybe the most important message there is that we have historically worked very hard on and that's to develop honest relationships with people where we try to support things that they're trying to do and asking them to support things that we're doing. >> That was very well said Burt. Now I remember why I pick up the phone when you call. >> [ LAUGHTER ] >> If you are ready for questions, I have an email question an I have a telephone question. The email question is have any of you formed partnerships with let call transportation providers when purchasing an able is not a available solution to a transportations challenge. This may have been set up via shuttles -- bus passes. If so who are your partners? >> We at the Workforce Investment Board when they make grant applications for certain populations they write in the cost for bus passes but we do not involve ourselves in the delivery of transportation. Our funding is too short. We couldn't sustain it. >> It's part of a direct service, again, the service provider that we use is really going to be based on the individual and what their needs are. That one's kind of hard to answer specifically. >> We have been involved in numerous studies but that just doesn't seem to provide much in terms of increased roots or better delivery, which is why we gravitated toward the wheels to work program that enabled us to especially given our geography, look to put somebody behind the wheel of a car. >> We have a question on the phone from area code 956. >> This is woody Johnson I'm with the valley association for independent living in Texas. This might not be a popular subject, but in funding these types of performance programs, has anybody heard the rules, regulations or restrictions and using the upcoming stimulus funds for these types of projects? >> I think there's a ton of stimulus money that's going in to all different sectors. Some of it is determined by the state. Some of it is determined by direct recipients whether it's school systems or additional money for voch rehab or additional money for Independent Living centers. So generally, it's my understanding. I'm not an expert on this but generally stimulus money that's going to an existing institution can be used for the purposes that they are legally authorized to do. Like if additional stimulus money goes to the voch rehab system, they can provide more vocational rehabilitation services. If they go to an Independent Living center we can do what we're allowed to with title 7 part C money, although there are some entities that may have more discretion so I don't see anything that precludes us from getting involved in it, where organizations or state agencies or government entities have done this. Now at the local level, there's been a lot of support to enhance Medicaid, I think the counties can use money in a very discretion air way of that. It may be an opportunity at your city level. The local level to look at some start up. That's note a bad idea to do -- this gives you some cash up front to try to start some employment programs. I think you have a great justification because the unemployment rate is so high. That's what it's for. Stimulus money is to help people get jobs and to save their homes. That was the initial intent, right? >> I just had the question because RSA has been holding it close to their chest and haven't really shared much information an it's supposed to be out in January. >> The money under title 7 is just peal compared to stimulus money that's available through other systems. I don't know if you know Alice, how much is available stimulus money through the work force investment act? >> I don't know what the total was Burt. I know we got -- it doubled our allocation so we got a little under 3 million extra and that's what paid for the summer youth program you spoke of before. >> I think I got a -- >> Area code 217. Good afternoon. >> Yeah. This is Dave Monroe. I'm with Springfield center for Independent Living in Springfield, Illinois. I'm fairly new in my position supervising our employment program. I was courteous to know if anybody on the panel could speak to how many centered for Independent Living nationwide have actually established employment programs, whether they're VR or other wise? >> >> Dave, I really would only venture a guess at -- based on center budgets, I would say it's in the 10 to 20% range at most. >> You've had decent directors that came from Independent Living. >> Exactly >> Would be very open to that. >> All right. We have a question from area code 816. Hello? >> Hi. This is Tiffany once again. How do we find out for centers for Independent Living have any stimulus money available? Where do you go to find out if there's money available through the stimulus programs in. >> Maybe I can take a crack at that question. In terms of title 7 funding, that's something that the center director will be aware of because of the announcements from the rehabilitation services administration. In terms of other stimulus funding from other sources it will be from connections like the Workforce Investment Boards and organizations that are involved in the employment arena. >> Burt? >> I think a lot of the stimulus money has not gotten out on the streets yet. I think it's a good opportunity to go to virtually any entity you can think of to start talking about it whether it's local departments at social services or local services for aging. Good districts. I think each of those systems are getting an infusion of stimulus amongny some of it slower than others. You should started checking it out. Another strategy you might do is call a bunch of partners in to a room. Invite them to the ten fer an you have some ideas for stimulus money. Unrestricted stimulus money and see if people are willing to come and talk to you. >> Okay,. >> Let's take one more question and then as we are just a little after -- little before quarter before the hour, we'll take that question and then Burt can wrap up and we'll conclude. >> Those were all of our questions for now. >> Burt I do you have some closing remarks or you or Joanne, Alice or John? >> I appreciate people being interested in this. I hope that this is serving as some type of support to really explore these opportunities at your own center. Although, it's made the center more complex with more requirements and obligations that over all, this has been the right thing to do. We would not do this differently in terms of getting involved with this after being involved with it for several years. We continue to see opportunities that are out there to expand employment for people. I just encourage you to look at it seriously. I can't speak for everyone, but I would assume that all four of us as well as ILRU are available if you want to contact any of us individually to get some more specific information and support. >> Thank you very much Burt and all the presenters. Joanne, Alice and John, you've done an excellent job for us today. We really enjoyed having you do this presentation with us at ILRU and the IL net. Those of you who participated, if you do have other questions feel free to email us. We'll make sure that our presenters get those questions and we'll make sure that you get responses to them. I'll also direct you again to the resource page for this webcast that's at the ILRU.org web page. The title of this conference, it will be posted in the archives. We'll put the audio and the transcript for the tell conference up in the webcast and teleconference calendar as you go to the archive pages and you'll find this webcast there. The audio and transcript should be up by noon tomorrow or very shortly after. We thank you all for joining us today. There is an evaluation form that's part of the resource page area and we would very much appreciate it if participants would fill out that evaluation. If you have other ideas for other webcasts, let us know. That's a good place to do that. It will help us, your feedback is a gift. We use it to improve the teleconferences and webcast that we offer and make decisions about other webcasts that we'll provide in the future. This webcast is sponsored by rehabilitation services administration and their endorsement of comments and presentation should not be inferred. We'll conclude the webcast but encourage you to watch for our email announcement about future webcasts. Thank you for being part of our teleconference for today. Presenters if you'll stay online for a recap. Thank you and have a good day. >> [ Event Concluded ]