Text of Cebula/Lopez Presentation on Work Incentives
Intro Slide 1 : New York Makes Work Pay Logo
Slide 2: New York Makes Work Pay -- Benefits Specialist Training Update
Raymond Cebula
Ed Lopez
Note: New York Makes Work Pay is a Comprehensive Employment System Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (Contract No. #1QACMS030318) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services 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 remove barriers to employment and develop pathways to work for New Yorkers with disabilities.
Slide 3: Work Incentive Information Network
The Work Incentive Information Network (WIIN) has a goal of expanding knowledge concerning SSAs return to work programming and expanding the availability of benefits planning services across New York State.
The method to obtain these goals is through intensive training and the provision of technical information and assistance.
Slide 4: Progress to Date
Certificate Program in Benefits and Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (Core competency-based, five-day program) - Level 1 is currently compromised of 140 fully trained Benefits Specialists.
WIIN Seminars: Seven 2 day programs Statewide (Year One Program Work Incentives, the MBI-WPD, the PASS & Year Two Program: Work Incentives, Self-Employment and Dealing With Overpayments) Level 2 is currently compromised of 279 trained information and referral specialists.
Slide 5:
On Going Effort Year 2010
During calendar year 2010 two 5 day Core trainings for Level 1 participants have been completed. NYC & Buffalo.
Our third Core event will take place in October, 2010, in Ithaca.
Beginning in Year 2011, we will also be creating an option for participants to receive the Core training by participating in the ediONLINE Benefits Planning Webinar Series. This will result in 6 Core trainings in Year 2011.
Slide 6: Work Incentive Information Network Supports Pyramid
Image of a triangle, divided into 3 layers, numbered from top to bottom as (roman numeral) I, II, and III.
Slide 7 Participant Expectations
· Level 1 - Practitioners at this level provide the comprehensive array of benefits and work incentives services and job support to beneficiaries making choices about work.
· Level II - Practitioners at this level provide information and referral as well short-term, basic work incentives planning to beneficiaries considering work.
· Level III - Level III practitioners provide general information and referral on work incentives issues as part of their job.
Slide 8: Certification Examination
Working with Vangent, Cornell has developed a comprehensive, scientifically based examination for Level I Benefits Specialist certification purposes.
The Pilot will begin on August 16, 2010, with a total of 366 participants from 4 states (NY, OR, WI, IN).
The initial examination pilot will take place in two phases.
Slide 9: Certification Examination
The initial round of testing will begin on August 16th. Participants will have 5 full business days to complete the 125 question, multiple choice, on-line assessment tool. We expect the total time necessary to complete the examination will be 4 5 hours.
After a rest break, a second round of 125 questions will begin on August 30th.
Slide 10: Certification Exam - Next Steps
Once all pilot assessments have been completed, Vangent and Cornells team of subject matter experts will review each question for stability purposes.
After this review has been completed the final product will be an assessment examination compromised of about 80 questions. The review will assist in determining passing scores.
Slide 11: Final Certification Examination
The final product will be a NYS based, comprehensive examination that will provide an indication as to whether the participant has succeeded in mastering basic work incentive information to allow the participant to move to the next step of certification.
This final step involves the submission of 3 benefits plans during the course of 1 year.
Slide 12: Final Certification Examination
This final step involves the submission of 3 benefits plans during the course of the year following the exam. The plans submitted for review are expected to be those prepared for actual consumers.
Upon successful review of 3 products the Level I participant will receive full certification.
Slide 13: Major Focus Issues
Medicaid Buy in For Working People With Disabilities: MIG Goals, Outreach, Results Thus Far & The Future
The Plan For Achieving Self Support: MIG Goals, Outreach, Results Thus Far & The Future
Slide 14: Outcomes to Date
MBI-WPD: At the start of this project in February 2009, there were 5,800 individuals enrolled in the MBI-WPD. As of July 30, 2010 there are over 8,200 individuals enrolled in the MBI-WPD. A substantial increase.
PASS: The grant had as a goal to increase PASS utilization by 20% by the end of the Year Two. To date we have doubled that number as a result of enhanced outreach and training.
Slide 15: Products Available
PASS Online: www.passonline.org
Ezines: www.nymakesworkpay.org
Policy to Practice Briefs: www.nymakesworkpay.org
Self-Help Guides: www.nymakesworkpay.org
Slide 16: New York Makes Work Pay Partnering Organizations
New York State Office of Mental Health
Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse University
Cornell University ILR School Employment and Disability Institute.
Note: New York Makes Work Pay is a Comprehensive Employment System Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (Contract No. #1QACMS030318) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services 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.