AmericanDreamEN.org

ASSESSMENT AND INDIVIDUAL WORK PLAN (IWP) DEVELOPMENT

ADEN CORE COMPETENCIES TRAINING SERIES

Kevin Nickerson & Mary Lynn ReVoir ADEN Co-DirectorsAmerican Dream Employment Network (ADEN)American Dream Employment Network, a division of National Disability Institute, is an authorized Social Security Ticket to Work service provider.

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SETTING THE STAGE FOR ASSESSMENT

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DEVELOPING RAPPORT WITH YOUR CUSTOMER BASE

Rapport and trust starts with relationships

• Invite potential Participants who are Ticket Holders to find out more about your services (Outreach Event)

Gain trust through understanding

• Provide hope through knowledge of key issues, i.e. disability benefits, health insurance, building a better financial future, supports

Discuss and identify needed supports

• Assessment and assignment follows

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THE B.E.ST. PROCESS

• Building Rapport – After your outreach event, invite attendees that are interested to schedule an individual appointment to assess Ticket assignment.

• Enhanced Services – Explain the purpose of the Ticket program; it’s NOT just about jobs, it’s about a life change and having the right supports to make a change happen.

• Setting Goals – Identify a roadmap and develop goals through the ADEN Individualized Work Plan (IWP).

• Trust – Once trust is established, communication opens and uncovers personal hopes and dreams which leads to developing individual employment goals.

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THE TICKET PHILOSOPHY: EMPOWERING CHOICE

• Choice is the foundation of the Ticket program• If an individual attends an outreach event or contacts an ADEN Member, they

have taken the first step, providing an invaluable “intersection of influence”

• Participants expressing desire to assign their Ticket must be ready to commit

to moving forward with employment that will lead to self-sufficiency

• Choice can be influenced in a number of ways:• Dispelling myths about SSA disability benefits

• Empowerment – don’t underestimate the influence of believing in a

Participant’s abilities

• Exploration – Find out what motivates a Participant, and develop goals that

are realistic and achievable

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ASSESSMENT – EXAMINING SOME OF THE BASICS

Ticket Assessment framed around SSA expectations:

• Services Needed : Do they fit with ADEN services? • Employment Goals : Are projected earnings consistent with

required Milestones and Outcomes?• Benefits Evaluation : Is the potential Participant ready to move

forward with gainful employment? (i.e., SGA level employment)• Skills / Education / Experience : Is this consistent with potential

Participants’ employment goals and with the current workforce need?

• Projected Revenue : Will we produce revenue if we serve this potential Participant as an EN?

• Other : Health status at intake and restrictions, apparent motivation to return to work?

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ASSESSMENT RESOURCES

• O*NET Online

• Compare current skills with required skills of various occupations

• http://www.onetonline.org

• My Next Move

• Quick online assessment to help you identify your work-related interests and

find the types of careers that match your interest

• https://www.mynextmove.org/

• Specific state workforce agencies assessment products

• Example: Job Zone (New York) http://

labor.ny.gov/careerservices/jobzone/index.shtm

• Find your nearest American Job Center http://

www.servicelocator.org/onestopcenters.asp

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REVIEW OF ADEN TICKET ASSESSMENT GUIDE VIA SCREEN SHARE

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DEVELOPING ADEN INDIVIDUAL WORK PLAN (IWP)

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WHAT IS THE IWP?

• The IWP is a written, signed contract that details responsibilities of both the EN and the beneficiary.

• It includes the following:• Details of both the short-term and long-term employment goals

• Brief outline of your specific plans to help the Participant reach these goals, including both immediate services and long-term support services to be provided

• Rights and remedies

• Important contact information

• The IWP is a living document, and should reflect the goals and services that will be provided to ADEN Participants• It is possible that goals will change, amending the IWP is an option to reflect major

changes in employment goals

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ADEN IWP (1 OF 9)

• Statement of understanding should be reviewed with your potential Participant, so they are aware that this is a voluntary program, and that the ultimate goal is self-sufficiency even if this is not an immediate goal

• Enter date of IWP completion, and contact information

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ADEN IWP (2 OF 9)

• This section of the IWP refers helps us evaluate recent work activity, and educational background

• We also assess the type of benefits the Participant receives, remember if both, this is considered concurrent

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ADEN IWP (3 OF 9)

To obtain part-time employment, as a food preparation worker at a hotel or restaurant, by (specify date within 24 month period).

To obtain full-time employment, as a cook at a hotel or restaurant, by (specify date within 3-5 year period).

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ADEN IWP (4 OF 9)

If you know accommodations will be required, complete this section. (i.e. will provide assistance in disclosing, and accessing relevant resources)

Discussed job interests, and what [Participants] "dream job" would look like, as well as why the food industry appeals to [Participant]. Examined labor market information that showed projections for employment in the food preparation and serving industry, as well as wage projections. Additionally, discussed with [Participant] the expectations and skill set required for this type of work, and advancement opportunities, such as moving on to a cook position. Based on availability of employment in this sector, skills and interests, and immediate financial needs, this vocational goal fits both the needs of [Participant], and long-term goals of self-sufficiency.

Will assist [Participant] in accessing interviewing, and job search workshops. Will assist in developing email account. Will meet weekly with [Participant] to review job search progress and to provide new job leads.

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ADEN IWP (5 OF 9)

Use this section to identify other providers of services to support the efforts of our Participants

For SSA Work Incentives advisement – This should always be completed, however, it may not be the ADEN POC providing this service, for example, it may be a WIPA provider. In either case, this should be completed and offered to our Participants.

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ADEN IWP (6 OF 9)

All Participants should be registered for AJC services

ADEN has developed basic resources for Members in addressing Financial Wellness services.

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ADEN IWP (7 OF 9)

Automatically checked off, as this is a required service for all ADEN Participants according to SSA RFQ. We have listed expected services ADEN Members will provide.

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ADEN IWP (8 OF 9)

Required IWP element, most likely you will not need to make any changes here.

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TIMELY PROGRESS REVIEW (TPR)

• Social Security expects a Ticket Holder to make progress towards self-sufficiency while their ticket is assigned

• A Timely Progress Review (TPR) is Social Security's way to track the progress of a Ticket Holder

• A review is conducted at the end of every 12-month period from date of Ticket assignment

• Timely Progress Guidelines are established by Social Security

• The guidelines consist of work and earnings requirements, educational or training requirements, or a combination of both

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TPR GUIDELINES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• An example 1st 12-month Review, beneficiary must meet one of the following:

• Worked 3 months at the Trial Work Level amount

• Completed a GED, or high-school diploma, or have completed 60% of a

full-time course load for an academic year in a college or technical, trade,

or vocational training plan

• Or some combination of the work and education requirement

• For each subsequent year, the requirements are greater

• ADEN is required to explain TPR and give a handout to each Participant

• Review section of the ADEN Individual Work Plan (IWP)

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TPR PROCESS

• SSA first checks earning records of beneficiary

• If earnings meet TPR guidelines, TPR is met and no further action is

taken

• If earnings do not meet TPR guidelines, the beneficiary is contacted

for a review

• If no response is received from the beneficiary, then SSA contacts ADEN

• If TPR is not met

• The beneficiary is placed back in the queue for continuing disability

reviews.

• TPR outcome does not affect Ticket assignment

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ADEN IWP (9 OF 9)

When creating Participant record, use last date noted for signatures

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ADEN IWP SUMMARY

• The IWP is a contract between you and your Participant that should reflect services that are unique to each Participant’s needs

• You should complete the IWP carefully and fully, and provide a copy to your Participant when completed, along with the Timely Progress Review guidelines

• ADEN will be audited occasionally; it is possible your IWP document will be reviewed by the Ticket Program Manager (TPM)

• Hard copies of any IWPs, or other related Participant documents, should be kept in a locked file cabinet that only the ADEN Point of Contact can access or securely storage electronically

• If you are a new Member, the first 5 IWPs should be reviewed with an ADEN representative before submitting for assignment through the ADEN portal

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ADEN Co-Directors ofAmerican Dream Employment

Network (ADEN)

Mary Lynn ReVoir Kevin Nickerson mlrevoir@ndi-inc.orgknickerson@ndi-inc.org