New York Makes Work Pay Work Incentives Information Network (WIIN) Application About New York Makes Work Pay New York Makes Work Pay is a statewide initiative intended to dramatically improve the rate of employment among people with disabilities. It is funded by the Center for Medicaid Services for calendar years 2009 and 2010. The initiative’s nine goals target sustainable, comprehensive policy and practice solutions to address the state’s estimated 70% unemployment rate among working-age people with disabilities. It will positively impact individuals, employers, service providers, communities, funders and policy-makers by building skills, awareness, partnerships and resources to achieve improved and lasting workforce participation and self-sufficiency outcomes. One of the primary objectives of the initiative is to increase the availability of benefits and work incentives planning and assistance services through development of a statewide Work Incentives Information Network. This initiative will… • Develop a minimum of 100 new credentialed benefits and work incentives practitioners a year providing the comprehensive array of services and supports for wage based and self-employment; • Equip a cadre of 500 existing employment supports and rehabilita­tion practitioners each year throughout NYS to be able to provide short-term assistance and information and referral to credentialed practitioners; • Provide education and awareness to the public, including people with disabilities and their families regarding disability programs and available work incentives; • Build on existing work incentives planning sponsored by the Social Security Administration; • Align benefits and work incentives planning and assistance ser­vices across systems; • Develop a minimum set of standards and competencies for quality assurance; • Support asset development and accumulation for people with dis­abilities; and, • Promote linking beneficiaries of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to other criti­cal employment supports to make work pay. New York Makes Work Pay is a Comprehensive Employment System Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (#1QA­CMS030318) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to the Office of Mental Health on behalf of New York State. It is a joint effort of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University and the Employ­ment and Disability Institute at Cornell University with the collaborative support of the Employment Committee of the New York State Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council to de­velop pathways and remove obstacles to employment for New Yorkers with disabilities. Partnering Organizations New York State Office of Mental Health Burton Blatt Institute Employment and Disability Institute Contact Us Employment and Disability Institute 201 Dolgen Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 Voice:607.255.7727 TTY: 607.255.2891 Web: www.NYMakesWorkPay.org Email: NYMakesWorkPay@cornell.edu Introducing the New York State Work Incentives Information Network (WIIN) The Work Incentives Information Network (WIIN) is an approach to structuring the array of benefits and work incentives planning and assistance services that exist and are available throughout New York State. This tiering of expertise and skill accomplishes three primary purposes: 1) Assists practitioners in understanding the scope of services and supports they provide to New Yorkers with disabilities and where they plug into the hierarchy of services; 2) Catalogues those services to provide a comprehensive directory for consumers of where services can be obtained; and, 3) Ensures that practitioners at each level are provided with access to ongoing technical assistance and training customized to meet their needs. Level I: Comprehensive and Long-Term Benefits and Work Incentives Planning and Assistance This level of service delivery is provided by credentialed benefits and work incentives practitioners who have completed a rigorous, nationally-recognized course of study inclusive of a minimum of 20 hours of practicum experience with an examination of proficiency/competency (including SSA-sponsored WIPA program personnel). Practitioners at this level provide the comprehensive array of benefits and work incentives services and job support to beneficiaries making choices about work aligned with financial literacy and asset accumulation. Typically they spend more than 35% of their effort delivering these services. Level II: Basic and Short-Term Benefits Planning Services and Supports Practitioners at this level provide information and referral as well short-term, basic work incentives planning to beneficiaries considering wage based or self-employment. Information concerning work incentives, impact of earnings on benefits, financial literacy and asset accumulation and advocacy and support with various state/federal agencies may be provided. Practitioners will have completed a minimum of two days of training on disability benefits and work incentives, use ongoing toll-free technical support to assist them in delivering short term services and update their skills through annual refresher training. Typically they will spend approximately 16-35% of their time delivering these services. Level III: General Benefits and Work Incentives Information and Referral Level III practitioners provide general information and referral on work incentives issues as part of their job (typically less than 15% of their time). They are encouraged to attend distance learning events on work incentive issues, financial literacy and asset accumulation and become acquainted with new information important to return to work efforts—like the Medicaid Buy-In, Plan for Achieving Self-Support and other incentives. Practitioners will assist beneficiaries in navigating return to work and make active referrals to Level I and II practitioners when that level of support is needed. The following training and technical assistance services and supports are available statewide through the New York Makes Work Pay Initiative. Certificate Program in Benefits and Work incentives Planning and Assistance The core competency-based certificate program requires participation in a five-day on-site training event plus successful completion of a rigorous field assignment/evaluation. The program is targeted for Level I practitioners with time dedicated to comprehensive service delivery. The MIG will be developing 100 new practitioners at this level each year. Past BPA&O and current WIPA personnel are grandfathered in based on past credentialing. Work Incentive Information Network Seminars Work Incentive Information Network Seminars will allow Level II practitioners to become fully acquainted with the Social Security Administration’s disability programs and the related work incentives. These two day sessions will be offered regionally throughout NYS and provide a comprehensive introduction and review of all components needed to fulfill WIIN obligations. Supplemental Distance Learning Training Throughout the year, supplemental distance learning events will be offered to all WIIN practitioners, allowing practitioners to remain current and become acquainted with new and various topics important to a return to work effort from the comfort of their office or home. The Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities and PASS are examples of topics to be offered. Toll-Free Technical Assistance Hotline: 1-888-224-3272 VOICE, 1-877-671-6844 TDD A toll free technical assistance line is currently available to all WIIN practitioners who may have questions when working with beneficiaries who are interested in work. Technical assistance personnel will be available at all times during the work week. Organizational Development Support and Online Organizational Assessment Organizations providing the comprehensive array of benefits and work incentives planning and assistance services and supports will have access to an online organizational assessment tool to assess the quality and fidelity of services and supports offered—leading to development of a strategic work plan to enhance services. WIIN Expectations, Eligibility, Policy & Procedures As described above, practitioners at each level of the network have specific continuing education requirements to maintain their skills and expertise. These training programs are offered at no charge. Individuals interested in joining the WIIN must complete the required application (see next section). In addition, Level I and II registrants must provide a letter of commitment from your organization as specified. Individuals selected for participation will be based on meeting the specific criteria detailed in the application. The application process will ensure statewide coverage as well as cross-systems availability. Work Incentives Information Network Application Individuals desiring to participate as a member of the WIIN must complete the following application. Existing BPA&O and WIPA personnel with current credential will be grandfathered in and not required to re-take the certificate program. However, they must still complete the application requirements to be registered officially as a WIIN member and provide verification of past certification. Name: Title: Organization: Address: Phone: Fax: Email: Check here if you are a partner in a Literacy Zone. 1. Please check which level you are applying for: Level One / Credentialed Work Incentive Practitioner (36-100% FTE) Level Two / Short-Term Work Incentive Practitioner (16-35% FTE) Level Three / General Information and Referral Practitioner (< 15%) 2. What type of service delivery system do you predominantly work in (check all that apply): Workforce Development / DOL VESID / CBVH Alcoholism/Substance Abuse Services Mental Health Services Veterans Services Social Services / Dept of Health Mental Retardation / Developmental Disabilities Literacy Zone Other (Please indicate): 3. What percentage of your job will you spend providing benefits and work incentives planning and assistance services? < 15% 16-24% 25-35% 36-50% 51-75% 76-100% 4. What disability population do you work predominantly with? (check all that apply) Mental Health Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Cognitive and Intellectual Blind Deaf / Hard of Hearing Physical Impairments Multiple / Co-occurring Neurologic Other: (Please indicate) 5. How many individuals with disabilities per year do you anticipate providing benefits and work incentives planning services and supports to? Base your response on how you identified yourself and level of service you will provide in question one. < 24 25 – 50 51 – 75 76 – 100 101–150 > 150 6. Please select the levels and types of work incentive planning and assistance services and support you plan on providing to your customer base. Peer support Information and referral Short-term problem solving Return to work/self-employment services Benefits and work incentives analysis and planning Long-term benefits and work incentives assistance and support Financial literacy and asset accumulation Other: 7. For Level I and II participants, are you willing to complete a 10-15 item survey quarterly to assist us in understanding the impact you have had as a member of the WIIN? The survey will require you to track the number of constituents you have served, level of service provided, disability type, age, employment outcome, and other demographic variables. Members of the WIIN will be provided a database to track required information. Yes No A final requirement for application is a letter of commitment from your organization/agency (or you as an independent agent) for participation in the WIIN. At a minimum the letter should include the following: • Name of person practitioner applying and level of membership. • Willingness to commit the resources (e.g. time, staff development, equipment, office space, etc) needed for the practitioner to provide services and supports as specified by their “level” of interest. This should include the approximate percentage of time the individual will dedicate to this effort. • Willingness to participate in the quarterly surveying process. (Level I & II only) To match the commitment of individual organizations and practitioners applying for membership in the WIIN, the New York Makes Work Pay Initiative will provide access to ongoing training, technical assistance and toll-free support as long as members meet the obligation of their commitment. Members not meeting performance criteria, ethical standards and code of conduct, or not fulfilling their agreed upon commitments will be removed from the WIIN. For more information, please contact: Ray Cebula, Director of Training and Technical Assistance Employment and Disability Institute ILR School, Cornell University, Dolgen Hall Ithaca, New York 14853-3901 617.312.3261 (voice) rac79@cornell.edu (e-mail) Applications can be mailed, faxed or emailed. Please forward your completed application and letter of commitment to: Katie Steigerwalt, Project Assistant Employment and Disability Institute ILR School, Cornell University, Dolgen Hall Ithaca, New York 14853-3901 607.255.3921 (voice) 607.255.2763 (fax) kms342@cornell.edu (e-mail) Applications for participating in 2010 programming will be received until classes are full. Please indicate on the following page, which program you wish to attend if accepted. Indicate which program you wish to attend when accepted into the WIIN Network. Level I Programming July 19-23, 2010 Buffalo, NY October 4-8, 2010 Ithaca, NY Level II Programming June 8-9, 2010 Corning, NY June 28-29, 2010 Albertson, NY September 23-24, 2010 Buffalo, NY October 12-13, 2010 Lake Placid, NY Level III Programming MBI Webinar Series: (2nd Tuesday of each Month) MBI Course 1.1: April 13, 2010: 10AM-11:30AM ET Overview of the Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD) MBI Course 1.2: May 11, 2010: 10AM-11:30AM ET Why Medicaid Is Important and Why the MBI-WPD Is Important MBI Course 1.3: June 8, 2010: 10AM-11:30AM ET The Ins and Outs of the Medically Needy Program and Its Relation to the MBI-WPD Program MBI Course 1.4: July 13, 2010: 10AM-11:30AM ET 1619b: The Best Kept Secret MBI Course 1.5: August 10, 2010 10AM-11:30AM ET The Plan For Achieving Self Support (PASS) and Medicaid MBI Course 1.6: Sept. 14, 2010 10AM-11:30AM ET The Medicaid Buy-in Application Process PASS Webinar Series: (3rd Monday each Month) PASS Course 1.1: April 19, 2010 10AM-11:30AM ET Overview of the Plan for Achieving Self Support PASS Course 1.2: May 17, 2010 10AM-11:30AM ET How the PASS Works PASS Course 1.3: June 21, 2010 10AM-11:30AM ET Candidates for a PASS and How to Exclude and Use Income and Resources PASS Course 1.4: July 19, 2010 10AM-11:30AM ET The Criteria for PASS Approval PASS Course 1.5: Aug. 16, 2010 10AM-11:30AM ET So My PASS Has Been Approved, Now What PASS Course 1.6: Sept. 20, 2010 10AM-11:30AM ET How Will the PASS Affect Other Benefits & How Will Work Affect the PASS Once selected for participation in the WIIN, members will be provided an internet link to register for coursework related to their level and/or interest. NEW Programs Continued… 5 Supplement Webinars Cutting Edge Webinar Series The Cutting Edge Issues for Individuals With Disabilities Webinar Series will prepare practitioners and advocates to assist beneficiaries considering working and help them become informed regarding these important cutting edge work incentives. Join us from July to November for the new Cutting Edge Issues series. Complete them all or just participate in the ones that you feel are most relevant to your unique development needs. We look forward to you joining us. Course 1.2: July 12, 2010 10AM - 11:30AM ET Individuals Who Are Statutorily Blind and Work (Part 1) This session will provide a basic overview of the SSDI work incentives generally with an emphasis on the unique incentives available to SSDI recipients who are statutorily blind. Instructors: Ed Lopez & Jim Sheldon Course 1.3: August 18, 2010 10AM - 11:30AM ET Individuals Who Are Statutorily Blind and Work (Part 2) This session will provide a basic overview of the SSI work incentives generally with an emphasis on the unique incentives available to SSI recipients who are statutorily blind. Instructors: Ed Lopez & Jim Sheldon Course 1.4: September 17, 2010 10AM - 11:30AM ET Individuals Who Are Statutorily Blind and Work (Part 3) This session will provide participants with an opportunity to use what they learned in the first 2 webinars via a Case Study that will be emailed to participants ahead of the webinar and then reviewed thoroughly during the webinar. Instructors: Ed Lopez & Jim Sheldon Course 1.5: October 15, 2010 10AM - 11:30AM ET Impairment Related Work Expenses & Subsidies for Individuals with Disabilities Who Work This session will provide a basic overview of these important work incentives and how they apply to SSDI and SSI applicants as well as SSDI and SSI recipients when IRWEs exist and only SSDI recipients when a Subsidy exists. Instructors: Ed Lopez & Ray Cebula Course 1.6: November 17, 2010 10AM - 11:30AM ET Overview of the Medicaid Buy In for Working People with Disabilities This session will provide a basic overview of the MBI-WPD Program including eligibility requirements, a discussion of the two eligibility groups and the grace period. Instructors: Ed Lopez & Ray Cebula www.NYMakesWorkPay.org Contact Information Employment and Disability Institute ILR School / Cornell University 201 Dolgen Hall Ithaca, New York 14853-3901 607.255.7727 (voice) 607.255.2891 (tty) 607.255.2763 (fax) ilr_edi@cornell.edu www.edi.cornell.edu Partnering Organizations New York State Office Of Mental Health Employment and Disability Institute (Cornell University) Burton Blatt Institute (Syracuse University) Alternate Formats This publication is available in alternate formats. To request an alternate format, please contact us using the information provided above. This series of briefs are also available online in both text and pdf formats. They are located at www.NYMakesWorkPay.org.