If you help Social Security disability beneficiaries become employed - or if you're exploring this field - the National Employment Network Association (NENA) is here to serve you.
This field is open to new service providers through the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program, in the Social Security Administration. The Ticket Program pays "employment networks" to provide employment support services to SSA disability beneficiaries. Promising new Ticket Program rules are opening new opportunities for people with disabilities and increasing the earnings potential of employment networks so they can serve more people. Visit us often for news, free resources and the complete support package available to NENA members.
NENA to give Congressional testimony on May 19.
Your EN input is Important.
The House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee has invited NENA to testify on May 19 at a hearing regarding the Ticket to Work Program. We are asking ENs to provide input to our testimony by Tuesday, May 12. Please use the link below to download a Word doc for sending your input to us. We regret that scheduling and technology challenges made this such a short window, but your input is important.
The US Inspector General issued a report (“Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Cost Effectiveness”, August 11, 2008, A-02-07-17048) that the Ticket to Work Program has not measured up in terms of projected cost savings and employment outcomes for SSI/SSDI beneficiaries. The IG’s report, however, covers a period prior to the new regulations that took effect in July, 2008. NENA plans to testify that the new rules have greatly changed the potential for the program to succeed. Click on this link to download a Word doc that you can fill out and email to Susan Webb, who will testify for NENA. Here are the areas to address in the survey (the Word doc has all the details). Any input you can offer in any of these areas will be very helpful.
1. Impact of new regulations. What impact on expenses to revenues have you seen before and after November, 2008? etc...
2. Marketing. How are ticket users finding their way to your door? etc...
3. Earnings Reporting: Collecting pay stubs ...
4. Capitalization: How have you capitalized your program? etc...
5. Partnerships: What partnerships and collaboration makes your EN successful? etc... This part of the testimony will only be included in the written testimony, not the oral.
6. Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): Are you using the WOTC as an additional bargaining tool with employers when placing ticket users? etc... This part of the testimony will only be included in the written testimony, not the oral.
Thank you for any input on any of those areas that you can provide. Click on this link to download a Word doc that you can fill out and email to Susan Webb, who will testify for NENA.
VR-EN Collaboration,
July 29 teleconference
Clicking the blue link above will open a new page to play a large MP3 file. You may want to read the summary below before loading up the large MP3 file; you'll lose this window when you do.
This was an interesting session, with clear, concise presentations about VR-EN partnership efforts in Florida, Wisconsin and Maryland (where mental health is also part of a specialized program for supported employment).
Great questions from the audience! It became clear that VR agencies may be able to consider multiple partnership options with ENs, rather than a single one. However, it will take time to develop and implement all the options that might be appropriate. VR agencies will first develop programs that meet their most immediate needs, such as finding ways for consumers to receive services from ENs while still on the VR waiting list, or finding options for consumers who might need longer-term support to bring their earnings up to the level of trial work period or substantial gainful activity. Some of the Phase 1 Milestone payments may still be available to ENs for serving post-VR consumers, if the VR agency elected to serve that consumer as an EN (rather than under the cost reimbursement system) and if the VR agency closed the case before 9 months of employment. ENs were encouraged to open a dialogue with their State VR agency SOON.
Participants included Harold Thornton of Florida VR, Charlene Dwyer of Wisconsin VR, John Halliday, a CESSI consultant who helped Maryland develop its Ticket partnership with ENs, and Sallie Rhodes, another CESSI consultant available to help develop VR/EN partnerships. Click here to visit NENA's interactive website to check for any followup discussion generated by this teleconference.