EMPLOYMENT First Sara Gales OVR 10 15 am

EMPLOYMENT First Sara Gales, OVR 10: 15 am – 11: 45 am Possibilities in Action

“Employment First” Means that… Competitive, integrated employment consideration -funded and preferred outcome is the of first publicly education, training, employment and related services, and long-term supports and -age Pennsylvanians with a disability. Possibilities in Action services for working

Why “Employment First? ” • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) o In particular, Section 511 • Governor’s Executive Order 2016 -03 o Establishing “Employment First” Policy and Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Pennsylvanians with a Disability • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Rule o Opportunity to seek employment and work in competitive, integrated settings; engage in community life; and control personal resources Possibilities in Action

Pennsylvania’s Public Systems Department of Education BUREAU OF SPECIAL EDUCATION (BSE) o o o PA Training and Technical Assistance Network (Pa. TTAN) Intermediate Units (IUs) Local Education Agencies (LEA): School Districts/Charter Schools Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) o INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY SERVICES (ODP-ID) • Local County Mental Health/Intellectual Disability (MHID) Offices o BUREAU OF AUTISM SERVICES (ODP-Autism) • Autism Services, Education, Resources & Training (ASERT) Collaborative Department of Labor & Industry OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (OVR) o Co-located Local Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (BVRS) and Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) District Offices Possibilities in Action

Mission Statements • BSE: Per the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): To ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living. • ODP (Overall, including ODP-ID): To support Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities to achieve greater independence, choice and opportunity in their lives. o ODP-Autism (Specialized): To develop and manage services and supports to enhance the quality of life for Pennsylvanians living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and to support their families and caregivers. • OVR: To assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities to secure and maintain employment and independence. Possibilities in Action

Who Do We Serve? Public System Age Diagnosis Area of Impact / Functional Eligibility Financial Eligibility BSE Age 3 -21 Varies; Impacts Education; 13 Eligibility Categories Impacts Educational Progress Does Not Apply ODP-ID Age 3+ Intellectual Disability Impacts 2+ of 7 Skill Areas Eligible for Medical Assistance ODPAutism Age 21+ (Programs) Autism Spectrum Disorder Impacts 3+ of 6 Major Life Activities Eligible for Medical Assistance OVR Age 14+; Generally last 2 years of high-school Varies; Impacts Employment; Does Not Apply; May Contribute Possibilities in Action Impacts 3+ of 7 Functional Limitation Factors

DISCUSS Common Areas of Impact BSE ODP-ID ODP-Autism OVR Education impacted by 1+ of the following: Limitations in 2+ of the following: Limitations in 3+ of the following: • Autism • Emotional disturbance • Deaf-blindness • Hearing impairment • Multiple disabilities • Intellectual developmental disability • Orthopedic impairment • Deafness • Other health impairment • Specific learning disability • Speech/language impairment • Traumatic brain injury • Visual impairment • Self-care • Understanding and use of receptive and expressive language • Learning • Mobility • Self-direction • Capacity for independent living • Economic selfsufficiency • Self-care • Understanding and use of receptive and expressive language • Learning • Mobility • Self-direction • Capacity for independent living Possibilities in Action • Mobility • Self-care • Work tolerance • Interpersonal skills • Work skills • Communication • Self-direction

Employment-Focused Services Career Exploration • Aptitude Tests • Interest Assessments • Work Tolerance • Trial Work Experiences • Discovery Skill Building • Academics • Formal Training • Work Skills • Work-Based Learning • Adaptive Skills • Social Skills • Behavioral Support • Self-Advocacy Job Search Support • Resume • Job Search • Application • Employer Contact • Interviewing • Employer Incentives • Customized Employment Possibilities in Action Support on the Job • Job Analysis • Supported Employment – Short Term • Supported Employment – Extended • Assistive Technology • Worksite Modifications • Tools or Equipment Transportation • Medical • Non-Medical • Travel Training • Driving Skills • Vehicle Modifications

Referral / Application Process • BSE: o Referrals can be initiated by a Local Education Agency professional, parent(s), or a hearing officer. o Detailed guidance about the special education process available through this Pa. TTAN Publication: Pennsylvania Parent Guide to Special Education for School Age Children. • ODP-ID: o Register directly through local County Intellectual Disability Program. o Online Information Referral Tool (IRT) at www. dhs. pa. gov/irt. Redirected to COMPASS. • ODP-Autism: o Call 1 -866 -539 -7689. Follow prompts to select the appropriate program. o Online Information Referral Tool (IRT) at www. dhs. pa. gov/irt. Redirected to COMPASS. • OVR: o Contact local OVR Office / OVR liaison directly. o Online Commonwealth Workforce Development System (CWDS) at www. cwds. pa. gov. Possibilities in Action

Availability of Services • BSE: Once eligible, all students with disabilities are entitled to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). • ODP-ID, ODP-Autism, and OVR offer services based on available resources. • Reporting the current level of need is a critical component of accessing services. Possibilities in Action

Prioritization • ODP-ID: Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) o Emergency (<6 mo); Critical (6 mo-2 yr); Planning (2 yr-5 yr) • ODP-Autism: Interest List for Application o Adult Autism Waiver (AAW): Currently not receiving state or state/federallyfunded services; Currently receiving state or state/federally-funded services. o Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP) Managed Care Health Plan: No priority categories, but only available in select counties. • OVR: Order of Selection o Most Significant Disability (MSD); Significant Disability (SD); Non-Significant Disability (NSD). Possibilities in Action

Problem Solving and Support Public Chain of Command System BSE 1. Teacher, Transition Coordinator, and/or Guidance Counselor 2. Special Education Director and/or Principal ODP-ID 1. Supports Coordinator (SC) 2. SC Supervisor 3. Administrative Entity Extra Support Formal Procedures Consult. Line • (800) 879 -2301 • www. odr-pa. org/contactconsultline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ODP Customer Service Hotline • (888) 565 -9435 • ra-customerservice@pa. gov 1. File an Appeal 2. Fair Hearing (Waiver Services); Review Under Local Agency Law (Base Services) IEP Facilitation Mediation Evaluative Conciliation Conference Resolution Meeting Facilitation Due Process Hearing ODPAutism 1. AAW Supports Coordinator/ACAP Provider 2. BAS Clinical/Regional Staff Brought in as Needed Bureau of Autism Services (BAS) • (866) 539 -7689 • ra-odpautismwaiver@pa. gov 1. File a Formal Complaint 2. Fair Hearing OVR 1. VR Counselor 2. VR Supervisor 3. District Administrator(s) Client Assistance Program (CAP) • (888) 745 -2357 • www. equalemployment. org 1. 2. 3. 4. Possibilities in Action Written Appeal to Bureau Director Informal Administrative Review (IAR) Mediation Impartial Hearing

Links to Resources: BSE üBureau of Special Education Webpage üPa. TTAN Webpage üPA Secondary Transition Directory üPA Secondary Transition Guide Webpage Possibilities in Action

Links to Resources: ODP-ID ü DHS Intellectual Disabilities Services Home Page ü PA County Administrators of Mental Health and Developmental Services Possibilities in Action

Links to Resources: ODP-Autism ü Department of Human Services Autism Services Webpage ü ASERT Webpage Possibilities in Action

Links to Resources: OVR ü Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Webpage ü Local OVR District Office Directory ü A to Z of Disabilities and Accommodations via Job Accommodation Network Possibilities in Action