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NISH and the Institute for NISH and the Institute for Economic EmpowermentEconomic Empowerment

The Institute for Economic Empowerment was created and funded in 2007 by NISH to expand employment opportunities for persons with severe disabilities

NISH is a national nonprofit agency whose mission is to create employment opportunities for people with severe disabilities by securing Federal contracts through the AbilityOne Program for its network of community-based rehabilitation programs

The AbilityOne Program creates jobs and training opportunities for more than 40,000 people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities by requiring Government agencies to purchase selected products and services from nonprofit organizations employing such individuals

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OverviewOverview of the Institute of the InstituteVision: For individuals with severe disabilities:

Expanded employment opportunityHigher wages and improved benefitsIncreased opportunities for advancementGreater opportunity for supported, competitive and self-employmentIncreased self-determination, economic self-sufficiency & net worth

Mission:Test the effectiveness and validate models, strategies and policies which advance the VisionEffectively disseminate the results of the research and demonstration activities shown to be successfulActively promote the adoption, replication and adaptation of these models, strategies and policies

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Background – Federal BenefitsBackground – Federal BenefitsToday, over 12 million Americans of working age receive Federal disability cash and health benefits

4 million+ Americans receive SSI/Medicaid benefits; 36% are persons with a mental impairment8 million+ Americans receive SSDI/Medicare benefits; more than 50% are persons with mental impairments as a primary or secondary diagnosisSerious conflict in Social Security rules between the definition of disability and the reality that work is therapeutic and “treatment” is mandatory

Over 5 million Americans with mental impairments (most with a primary or secondary mental health diagnosis) receive Federal disability benefits (45%)

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Background – Federal ExpendituresBackground – Federal ExpendituresAnnual expenditures for Federal disability benefits (cash and health) are increasing rapidly

This year, expenditures exceed $500 Billion

By 2017, expenditures will exceed $1 Trillion

At least 40% of the current annual expenditure for Federal disability benefits ($200 Billion) represent benefits for persons with a primary or secondary mental health diagnosis

By 2017, these annual expenditures will approach $500 Billion

Each year, fewer than 1% of working age Federal disability beneficiaries leave the benefit rolls for work

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Institute Strategic GoalsInstitute Strategic Goals

To make significant progress toward full and

fair employment for individuals with severe

disabilities:

Increase employer demand for workers with severe disabilities

Increase the availability and productivity of persons with severe disabilities willing and able to work

Expand and improve employment support infrastructures

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Research Initiative – Employer Research Initiative – Employer Payroll Tax IncentivePayroll Tax Incentive

Concept: expand employer demand for workers with severe disabilities through a payroll tax incentive that links employing a specific percentage of persons with severe disabilities to reduction of the employer’s overall payroll tax rate

A pay-as-you-go model that tracks industry “experience rating” of premiums

Builds in resources for reasonable accommodation and ongoing supports to sustain employment

Low administrative costs for employers and for the Government; updates continually as payrolls are met

Contract with MPR to develop and test the model

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Research Initiatives - Employment Research Initiatives - Employment Opportunities for VeteransOpportunities for Veterans

Research Focus:

Identify career goals and employment interests of OEF/OIF veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Identify and pursue DoD contract-related employment opportunities and help veterans secure employment

Develop models for long-term employment supports

Next Steps:

RFP to be published this month

Interviews and focus groups beginning early Fall

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Further Information on Institute Further Information on Institute Activities:Activities:

www.InstituteforEmpowerment.org