Community Employment Alliance An advocacy organization, with a statewide membership network of employment service providers and businesses. 1

Community Employment Alliance

An advocacy organization, with a statewide membership network of employment

service providers and businesses.

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MissionTo ensure a future in which

people with disabilities have the same community employment opportunities

as all other citizens.

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Is the one and only association for Community Rehabilitation Program providers for Washington State.

Is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, only four months old. 39 of DVR’s largest service providers are members.

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Is already recognized by the Governor and Legislature as the voice for employment

services for people with disabilities.

Has an affiliated political action committee - Employment For All.

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Two Bold Initiatives

Transforming The Service Delivery System

1. Spearhead policy changes and legislative funding for employment services within State government.

2. Collect and share performance data, industry costs, and best practices for employment activities.

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Transforming The Service Delivery System

3. Partner with businesses to promote employment and create jobs for people with disabilities.

4. Build public understanding and break-down barriers that prevent full employment of people with any type of disability.

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Transforming Service Providers

1. Bring members and stakeholders together to craft solutions to issues affecting community employment.

2. Provide technical assistance and access to best practices for integrated, community based services.

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Transforming Service Providers

3. Assist members in the creation of social enterprises to diversify their revenue streams; expand employment opportunities and business ownership for people with disabilities.

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Concerns of Members:

The proposed DVR CRP 2010-2012 contract does not pay for services rendered. Members report that they are paid for 64% of what it costs them to successfully find an individual employment.

This financial gap leaves the door open for providers to not serve individuals with significant disabilities, or not contract with DVR at all.

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Member Survey Results:

Over 40% of DVR clients served by CRP’s got and kept jobs (many are still active).

The average hours worked at 90 days of employment was 21-30 hours per week.

The average wage at 90 days of employment was over $9.25/hour.

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Member Survey Results:

Relationship with LOCAL DVR staff was rated good by 77% of Alliance members.

Relationship with HEADQUARTERS DVR staff was rated poor by 47% of Alliance members.

Suggestions for improvement: consistency, communication, client focused, understanding what CRP’s do, partners not vendors.

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WSRC asked:

You represent large and small providers of Community Rehabilitation Services across our

state, what actions can you take as a membership organization to improve

relations with the Division?

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Continue to build representative membership from a variety of sectors (DDD, Mental Health, Veterans, Corrections) to fully represent all service providers.

Serve as the voice and clearinghouse of information for all CRP’s in Washington State. One contact point for DVR.

Work with DVR to meet RSA goal of increased communication and partnership with CRP’s.

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Utilize the collective knowledge of all providers – including CRP’s and DVR to share best practices and success stories.

Support legislative policies and budgets which protect leveraged dollars.

Continue collaborating with businesses to increase results of those with significant disabilities.

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Encourage the development of Social Enterprises, resulting in less reliance on public dollars and increased networking with the business community.

Continue to be open to working with DVR Administration and Local Offices to create and provide services which assist those with significant disabilities in obtaining employment.

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WSRC asked:

What strategies can you employ which you think would be effective in your

partnership with DVR to increase the likelihood of improving the quality of

services received by customers you share with DVR and the likelihood that they will go to

work?

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Legislative Advocacy. This session, our lobbying efforts successfully retained ‘State Only’ funding, and generated new funding for transition services for graduating youth.

The retention of ‘State Only’ DDD dollars and transition funding leverages other dollars which support people with significant disabilities.

We also lobbied to make sure that Legislators understood the importance of fully funding VR services to gain the maximum Federal match.

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Business members. Over the coming months, we will be recruiting businesses….large and small…. to become Alliance members.

This will strengthen our working relationships, increase job opportunities, and subsequently achieve better placement outcomes.

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We will assist our members and push them towards the most effective and efficient practices which will impact placement outcomes.

We will help members determine their true operating costs in a standard methodology. This information to be given to DVR so they can better understand what the real costs are for achieving positive outcomes for individuals with significant barriers to employment

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We thank you for this opportunity to discuss our common interests in supporting people with the most significant disabilities going to work in their local community.

We look forward to working with the new DVR Director to build a strong partnership that will truly benefit people with disabilities.

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Documents

Community Employment Alliance An advocacy organization, with a statewide membership network of employment service providers and businesses. 1