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Integrated Resource TeamIntegrated Resource Team

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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What is the Primary Function of an What is the Primary Function of an Integrated Resource Team (IRT)?Integrated Resource Team (IRT)?

Members of an IRT will work together to identify Members of an IRT will work together to identify and strategize how their services and resources and strategize how their services and resources can be coordinated to help a jobseeker with a can be coordinated to help a jobseeker with a disability reach their employment goal.disability reach their employment goal.

The jobseeker will also be responsible for The jobseeker will also be responsible for identifying their role and contributions in identifying their role and contributions in attaining their employment goal. attaining their employment goal.

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What is an Integrated Resource Team?What is an Integrated Resource Team?

An IRT brings together public and private sector An IRT brings together public and private sector representatives at a local One-Stop community representatives at a local One-Stop community level.level.

It improves communication and collaboration It improves communication and collaboration which results in enhanced coordination of which results in enhanced coordination of services and supports for an services and supports for an individualindividual jobseeker jobseeker with a disability.with a disability.

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Who Might Participate in an IRT?Who Might Participate in an IRT?

Since the IRT is based on the needs of the individual, Since the IRT is based on the needs of the individual, the members of the team will consist of community the members of the team will consist of community and partner agencies and One-Stop programs that and partner agencies and One-Stop programs that serve the needs of the serve the needs of the individualindividual jobseeker. jobseeker.

Many times the members of an IRT will closely reflect Many times the members of an IRT will closely reflect the members of an Interagency Committee, meaning the members of an Interagency Committee, meaning an IRT may consist of members from the Workforce an IRT may consist of members from the Workforce Investment system, the Mental Health system, the Investment system, the Mental Health system, the Vocational Rehabilitation system, the Independent Vocational Rehabilitation system, the Independent Living Center, the Community Work Incentives Living Center, the Community Work Incentives Coordinator, a Supported Employment Specialist, etc. Coordinator, a Supported Employment Specialist, etc. It all depends on the needs of the It all depends on the needs of the individualindividual jobseeker. jobseeker.

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What is the Role of the Disability Resource What is the Role of the Disability Resource Coordinator (DRC) Related to the IRT?Coordinator (DRC) Related to the IRT?

The DRC may serve as a facilitator to help build The DRC may serve as a facilitator to help build understanding within the One-Stop Career Center system understanding within the One-Stop Career Center system about the benefits of the added level of service an IRT about the benefits of the added level of service an IRT provides.provides.

As a facilitator, a DRC may:As a facilitator, a DRC may:• Help One-Stop staff explain the benefits of utilizing the IRT Help One-Stop staff explain the benefits of utilizing the IRT

model to a jobseeker to ensure they are in agreement of model to a jobseeker to ensure they are in agreement of needing this level of service and information sharing.needing this level of service and information sharing.

• Work with One-Stop staff and the jobseeker to identify and Work with One-Stop staff and the jobseeker to identify and reach out to agency staff who may appropriately serve as part reach out to agency staff who may appropriately serve as part of the IRT.of the IRT.

• Facilitate the first IRT meeting to ensure that partners and the Facilitate the first IRT meeting to ensure that partners and the jobseeker are aware of the purpose of the IRT and lead the jobseeker are aware of the purpose of the IRT and lead the discussion to include key purposes of the IRT like service discussion to include key purposes of the IRT like service coordination, shared plans, communication and follow-through.coordination, shared plans, communication and follow-through.

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What is the Overall Goal the IRT Model?What is the Overall Goal the IRT Model?

The desired outcome of the IRT is to enhance cross-The desired outcome of the IRT is to enhance cross-agency collaboration and communication to better agency collaboration and communication to better leverage available resources in a seamless way for an leverage available resources in a seamless way for an individual jobseeker with a disability. Additionally, the individual jobseeker with a disability. Additionally, the IRT will result in increased enrollments in available IRT will result in increased enrollments in available workforce development programs and greater workforce development programs and greater knowledge of available career options. knowledge of available career options.

The overall goal of the IRT is to help the One-Stop The overall goal of the IRT is to help the One-Stop Career Center system and partner agencies see the Career Center system and partner agencies see the benefit of resource collaboration.benefit of resource collaboration.

This concept may require a culture shift; be patient, it This concept may require a culture shift; be patient, it can happen.can happen.

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What is an Interagency What is an Interagency Committee?Committee?

An Interagency Committee, sometimes referred An Interagency Committee, sometimes referred to as an Interagency Team, Disability Action to as an Interagency Team, Disability Action Committee, or Integrated Agency Team etc. is a Committee, or Integrated Agency Team etc. is a group that comes together to address barriers group that comes together to address barriers present at a systemic level. present at a systemic level.

The committee typically consists of The committee typically consists of representatives from several agencies who have representatives from several agencies who have a common goal of helping persons with a common goal of helping persons with disabilities.disabilities.

The committee, through concentrated and The committee, through concentrated and collaborative efforts, seeks to foster and facilitate collaborative efforts, seeks to foster and facilitate change based on the identified needs of the change based on the identified needs of the disability community.disability community.

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What is the difference between an IRT and What is the difference between an IRT and an Interagency Committee?an Interagency Committee?

An IRT focuses on the specific needs of an An IRT focuses on the specific needs of an IndividualIndividual Jobseeker. Jobseeker.• An IRT may be brought together to improve services and An IRT may be brought together to improve services and

cross-agency communication as a support to a person cross-agency communication as a support to a person with a disability in order to obtain or maintain with a disability in order to obtain or maintain employment.employment.

An Interagency Committee focuses on systems An Interagency Committee focuses on systems coordination, problem-solving and collaboration coordination, problem-solving and collaboration for more effective services for people with for more effective services for people with disabilities.disabilities.• An Interagency Committee typically meets on a regular An Interagency Committee typically meets on a regular

basis in order to problem-solve and work together as a basis in order to problem-solve and work together as a way to improve employment outcomes for people with way to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities.disabilities.

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Does an Interagency Committee Function Does an Interagency Committee Function Differently than an IRT?Differently than an IRT?

The focus of an IRT is on an The focus of an IRT is on an individual levelindividual level, , therefore the members of the IRT will change therefore the members of the IRT will change based on the employment services and supports based on the employment services and supports needed that are unique to the jobseeker.needed that are unique to the jobseeker.

An Interagency Committee focuses on An Interagency Committee focuses on systems systems levellevel change and works to identify barriers change and works to identify barriers inherent in the system to improve employment inherent in the system to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Typically, outcomes for people with disabilities. Typically, the members of an Interagency Committee are the members of an Interagency Committee are more constant and cover a broader spectrum more constant and cover a broader spectrum than those of an IRT.than those of an IRT.

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Do You Need to Have an Interagency Do You Need to Have an Interagency Committee in Order to Have an IRT?Committee in Order to Have an IRT?

No. The most important elements to have No. The most important elements to have in order to promote the IRT model as a in order to promote the IRT model as a viable option for a jobseeker with a viable option for a jobseeker with a disability are as follows:disability are as follows:

• Widespread knowledge of existing resources in Widespread knowledge of existing resources in the local/regional community. the local/regional community.

• Ultimately, representatives from programs and Ultimately, representatives from programs and agencies that can provide direct services and agencies that can provide direct services and resources will be invited.resources will be invited.

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Can an Interagency Committee be Can an Interagency Committee be Beneficial to an IRT?Beneficial to an IRT?

An Interagency Committee can be helpful An Interagency Committee can be helpful but is not required in order to successfully but is not required in order to successfully implement and execute the IRT model.implement and execute the IRT model.

If there is an Interagency Committee If there is an Interagency Committee already in place, the DRC can present the already in place, the DRC can present the concept of an IRT to that committee who concept of an IRT to that committee who may be able to help implement it.may be able to help implement it.

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Is the DRC a Is the DRC a Case Manager Case Manager when when facilitating an IRT?facilitating an IRT?

Absolutely Not. The DRC is not expected to Absolutely Not. The DRC is not expected to spend their time managing cases. Instead, spend their time managing cases. Instead, the DRC will help facilitate connections to the DRC will help facilitate connections to other agencies through an IRT.other agencies through an IRT.

Other members of the IRT (not the DRC) Other members of the IRT (not the DRC) will most likely have a case file for the will most likely have a case file for the jobseeker, thus there will be no need for jobseeker, thus there will be no need for the DRC to have a case file.the DRC to have a case file.

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How can a DRC introduce the model How can a DRC introduce the model of an IRT? of an IRT?

In areas where an Interagency Committee exists, In areas where an Interagency Committee exists, the DRC may use the Interagency Committee as a the DRC may use the Interagency Committee as a mechanism to introduce and implement the IRT mechanism to introduce and implement the IRT model.model.

In areas where an Interagency Committee does In areas where an Interagency Committee does not exist, the DRC may offer intensive training not exist, the DRC may offer intensive training through modeling to One-Stop staff and partners through modeling to One-Stop staff and partners so each area can utilize the IRT model when so each area can utilize the IRT model when appropriate.appropriate.

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How Does the Integrated Resource Team How Does the Integrated Resource Team Model Differ from the Customized Model Differ from the Customized

Employment Model?Employment Model?

The IRT is designed to engage cross-agency participation within The IRT is designed to engage cross-agency participation within the One-Stop Career Center for an individual with a disability.the One-Stop Career Center for an individual with a disability.

The Customized Employment Model involves individualizing the The Customized Employment Model involves individualizing the relationship between a jobseeker and an employer and uses a relationship between a jobseeker and an employer and uses a specific set of tools to do so.specific set of tools to do so.

The IRT may engage in some elements of Customized The IRT may engage in some elements of Customized Employment, however, the IRT Model will not use or need all of Employment, however, the IRT Model will not use or need all of the comprehensive tools and structured processes that the the comprehensive tools and structured processes that the Customized Employment Model offers.Customized Employment Model offers.

It is understood that not all One-Stop Career Centers have the It is understood that not all One-Stop Career Centers have the capacity or the ability to facilitate the Customized Employment capacity or the ability to facilitate the Customized Employment Model.Model.

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How Does the IRT Model Differ From and/or How Does the IRT Model Differ From and/or Incorporate Aspects of the Person Centered Incorporate Aspects of the Person Centered

Planning Model?Planning Model?

Person Centered Planning (PCP) involves much Person Centered Planning (PCP) involves much more intensive and personalized services utilizing more intensive and personalized services utilizing a specific set of tools in order to help the a specific set of tools in order to help the jobseeker obtain and maintain employment.jobseeker obtain and maintain employment.

Some of the tools utilized in PCP may be utilized Some of the tools utilized in PCP may be utilized by members of the IRT to help the jobseeker by members of the IRT to help the jobseeker achieve their desired outcome. However, the achieve their desired outcome. However, the focus of the IRT is to enhance resource focus of the IRT is to enhance resource coordination and collaboration between disability coordination and collaboration between disability and workforce agencies in order to give the and workforce agencies in order to give the jobseeker with a disability an increased jobseeker with a disability an increased opportunity for employment.opportunity for employment.

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Case Scenario - DianeCase Scenario - Diane Diane is Deaf and Non-VerbalDiane is Deaf and Non-Verbal

She does an intake appointment with a WIA Case Manager.She does an intake appointment with a WIA Case Manager.

She indicates that she is interested in Dog Grooming and that she has She indicates that she is interested in Dog Grooming and that she has previously worked with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).previously worked with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).

The DRC is asked to join the next meeting to help with suggestions and The DRC is asked to join the next meeting to help with suggestions and resources that Diane may want to access.resources that Diane may want to access.

The DRC suggests Diane reconnect with VR.The DRC suggests Diane reconnect with VR.

The IRT is formed and roles are assigned. The IRT includes Diane, the The IRT is formed and roles are assigned. The IRT includes Diane, the WIA Case Manager, the VR Counselor and the DRC.WIA Case Manager, the VR Counselor and the DRC.

Diane attends a training program with accommodations, and graduates Diane attends a training program with accommodations, and graduates with honors. She is referred by her training provider to a job.with honors. She is referred by her training provider to a job.

The WIA Case Manager provides the needed follow-up information to The WIA Case Manager provides the needed follow-up information to each member of the IRT.each member of the IRT.

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Case Scenario - JeanCase Scenario - Jean Jean was a TANF client and had trouble maintaining a Job.Jean was a TANF client and had trouble maintaining a Job.

Jean’s TANF case manager attended a training on hidden disabilities Jean’s TANF case manager attended a training on hidden disabilities provided by the DRC.provided by the DRC.

The TANF case manager invited the DRC to the next meeting with Jean.The TANF case manager invited the DRC to the next meeting with Jean.

An IRT was formed and roles of each member of the IRT were An IRT was formed and roles of each member of the IRT were established. The IRT included Jean, the TANF case manager, a VR established. The IRT included Jean, the TANF case manager, a VR counselor, a Mental Health representative, an Employment Specialist counselor, a Mental Health representative, an Employment Specialist and the DRC.and the DRC.

After three months Jean secured a full-time job with health benefits that After three months Jean secured a full-time job with health benefits that was in line with her career choice.was in line with her career choice.

The TANF case manager followed up with all members of the IRT to The TANF case manager followed up with all members of the IRT to report her placement, wages, hours etc. as well as to learn about report her placement, wages, hours etc. as well as to learn about additional follow-up services that were available. A year after beginning additional follow-up services that were available. A year after beginning her employment Jean’s case was closed. She was receiving no benefits her employment Jean’s case was closed. She was receiving no benefits and had earned a merit based raise.and had earned a merit based raise.

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Case Scenario - HarryCase Scenario - Harry Harry is Deaf-Blind. He goes to the One-Stop, accompanied by a job coach who Harry is Deaf-Blind. He goes to the One-Stop, accompanied by a job coach who

relays that Harry has been looking for a job for over a year without success. Harry relays that Harry has been looking for a job for over a year without success. Harry requests a tactile sign language interpreter for his intake appointment. requests a tactile sign language interpreter for his intake appointment.

During the intake appointment, it is determined that Harry is eligible for intensive During the intake appointment, it is determined that Harry is eligible for intensive services. It was also learned he was working with additional supportive agencies.services. It was also learned he was working with additional supportive agencies.

The DRC coordinates and facilitates the first IRT meeting. The IRT includes Harry, The DRC coordinates and facilitates the first IRT meeting. The IRT includes Harry, the Case Manager from the Commission for the Blind, a representative from the the Case Manager from the Commission for the Blind, a representative from the Independent Living Center, the Tactile Sign Language Interpreter, an Employment Independent Living Center, the Tactile Sign Language Interpreter, an Employment Specialist, Harry’s Mother and the DRC.Specialist, Harry’s Mother and the DRC.

The IRT roles are established. The IRT roles are established.

The DRC takes notes during the first meeting and emails everyone these notes The DRC takes notes during the first meeting and emails everyone these notes with their agreed upon tasks. The DRC periodically checkes on Harry’s progress with their agreed upon tasks. The DRC periodically checkes on Harry’s progress but does not intervene in the case unless asked for specific help from another but does not intervene in the case unless asked for specific help from another member of the team.member of the team.

After four months, Harry successfully secures a job. The IRT meets a final time to After four months, Harry successfully secures a job. The IRT meets a final time to ensure everyone has the appropriate information regarding Harry’s new position.ensure everyone has the appropriate information regarding Harry’s new position.

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What are the Desired Outcomes of an IRT?What are the Desired Outcomes of an IRT?

To enhance cross-agency collaboration and communication To enhance cross-agency collaboration and communication to better leverage available resources in a seamless way to better leverage available resources in a seamless way for an individual jobseeker with a disability. Additionally, for an individual jobseeker with a disability. Additionally, the IRT will result in increased enrollments in available the IRT will result in increased enrollments in available workforce development programs and greater knowledge of workforce development programs and greater knowledge of available career options. available career options.

To provide increased access to four-year college education, To provide increased access to four-year college education, achievement of academic certifications, apprenticeship achievement of academic certifications, apprenticeship opportunities and greater access to follow-up services and opportunities and greater access to follow-up services and supports to ensure employment retention.supports to ensure employment retention.

To promote and secure financial independence for people To promote and secure financial independence for people with disabilities, and increase their knowledge about with disabilities, and increase their knowledge about benefits and available work incentives that lead to greater benefits and available work incentives that lead to greater empowerment and inclusion.empowerment and inclusion.

2020

Contact InformationContact Information

Randee Chafkin Randee Chafkin National DPN Program Office Department of National DPN Program Office Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Labor, Employment and Training Administration P: 202-693-2723 P: 202-693-2723 E: E: Chafkin.Randee@dol.gov

Laura Gleneck Laura Gleneck DEI Project CoordinatorDEI Project CoordinatorNDI Technical Assistance TeamNDI Technical Assistance TeamP: 781-899-0139P: 781-899-0139F: 781-642-0895F: 781-642-0895lgleneck@ndi-inc.orglgleneck@ndi-inc.org

Jamie RobinsonJamie RobinsonDEI TA LiaisonDEI TA LiaisonNDI Technical Assistance TeamNDI Technical Assistance TeamP: 860-344-0138P: 860-344-0138E: JRobinson@ndi-inc.orgE: JRobinson@ndi-inc.org