Project Overview

1
Project Overview

• PROJECT TRAIN
• Workforce Development Council
• Booker T. Graves

2
Project Goals

• Establish a statewide system to upgrade the
  capability of workforce centers to provide
  seamless services to people with disabilities.
• Integrate features of Colorados Benefits
  Counselors Consumer Navigator Pilots DBTACS
  Training contract DVRS Accessible Workstation
  Coalition, and add training for WIBS, One Stop
  staff and businesses.

3
High-level Timing Goals

• Hire and train new Benefit Counselors within the
  first year of the grant
• Sponsor forums, open houses and outreach
  presentations to businesses and PWD in the first
  six months and continue throughout the project.
• Add Consumer Navigators in each workforce region.
• Mount aggressive outreach to non profits and
  service providers at the start of the system
  change.

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Description

• PROJECT TRAIN will provide funds to add and train
  WIBS and staff of workforce centers in skills
  needed to provide a welcoming and effective level
  of service. The objective is to enhance One Stop
  skills to ensure seamless service to PWD.

5
Technology

• The Project will provide funds to help DVRS
  coalition equip every workforce region with at
  least one fully accessible work station.
• PWD will be empowered to make decisions regarding
  employment from a basis of full awareness.
• Some PWD will choose to enter the workforce.
• Some PWD will engage in training for hi wage hi
  skill jobs.

6

• Increased probability of PWD achieving self
  sufficiency.
• Workforce center staff will achieve a higher
  level of professionalism.
• Businesses will find a new source of dependable
  well trained workers.
• PWD contribute more to economic vitality of the
  state and nation.

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• STANDARD BEING ADOPTED
• A Coalition of partners and people with
  disabilities will establish a level of
  competencies for Workforce Centers statewide.
• Project Train Staff will monitor and ensure
  achievement of necessary level and maintenance of
  capability.
• A new standard for inter agency and
  organizational cooperation will be created to
  ensure seamless service to PWD in WFCS.

8

• Barriers to full service are formidable.
• Trust will take time to build within the
  coalition and within the Community of PWD and
  organizations serving them.
• There are issues in workforce centers because of
  the increased workload.
• Additional Funds will be needed

9
Team/Resources

• Resources allocated to this project
• 4 new FTE will be added to the workforce system
  to ensure Project train delivers.
• Additional FTEs will be supported in workforce
  centers.
• Equipment will be provided.
• Project WINS web site will be enhanced.
• Local resources will be developed to assist PWD.
• Funds to provide a strong service to employers.

10

• Support physical changes to meet the standard for
  WFC competencies.
• Project will pay for outreach efforts in local
  areas.
• Project train will provide experts in benefits
  and assistance to train navigators.
• Additional support outside services.
• Project will provide experts in Assistive
  Technology to train staff.
• Partners and Experts will provide workforce
  competencies, training and support to achieve and
  maintain project deliverables.

11
Procedures

• Hire and train new employees.
• Expand steering committee.
• Select Project Teams to develop action. and
  operating plans for project activities.
• Creation of Best Practices Competencies.
• Creation of Self Assessment tool.
• Develop Marketing plan.
• Devise training regimen for all populations
  targeted in project.
• Identify specific Assistive Technology.

12
Consumer Navigator (CN) Model

• Assist individuals with disabilities seeking
  employment in utilizing the various systems that
  provide the services and support needed to obtain
  and maintain employment

13
Current Status

• Two Consumer Navigator Pilot Sites
• Pikes Peak Workforce Center
• Mesa County Workforce Center
• (Center for Independence)

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Consumers Served by CN

• Over 350 individuals served to date
• Across disabilities (Psychiatric, Mental
  Retardation/Cognitive, Orthopedic/Amputation,
  Brain Injury, Visual, Hearing, and Drug/Alcohol)
• Broad age range (16 - 66)
• 50 DVR consumers
• Over 65 SSI/SSDI recipients

15
CN Services

• Provide individualized client centered planning
• Provide peer mentoring and advocacy
• Provide resource information, including linkages
  to specific services within community

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CN Services

• Assist individuals with disabilities to secure
  and access services and supports needed to obtain
  and maintain employment
• Provide benefits counseling and referral
• Trouble shoot problem areas
• Conduct outreach to underserved groups

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CN Increasing Organizational Capacity of
Workforce Centers

• Networks local community resources
• Facilitates local advisory committee to
  troubleshoot
• Consults with staff on how to best serve
  individuals with disabilities
• Identifies alternative formats, resources, and
  technology to meet the needs of individuals with
  disabilities

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CN Increasing Organizational Capacity of
Workforce Centers

• Enhances agency based case management
• Provides ongoing technical assistance and
  training
• Enhances universal access to programs and services

19
Our Goal

• To replicate CN services within every workforce
  region
• To provide technical assistance and training to
  the new CNs
• To provide training and support to local
  workforce regions in implementing CN services

20
Our Goal

• To provide workforce centers additional supports
  through benefit planning, assistance and
  outreach.
• To provide individuals seeking employment
  services through workforce centers current and
  informed information about entering or reentering
  the workforce.
• To train and support workforce center staff on
  referring and implementing benefit planning as a
  additional service for their clients through the
  workforce centers.

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Benefits Planning, Assistance, Outreach and
Training

• Provide work incentive planning and assistance to
  beneficiaries and their families.
• Conduct outreach efforts to provide customers
  with information on SSA provisions.
• Benefit planning is targeted for SSI/SSDI
  recipients and/or non-custodial recipients.
• Provide training to workforce staff on over all
  SSA benefits and how they apply to recipients
  being served in workforce centers.

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What We Know

• Approximately over 107,500 individuals in
  Colorado receive SSA benefits.
• 46,000 Coloradoans receive SSI.
• 61,500 Coloradoans receive SSDI.
• 55 of SSA recipients are in the Denver metro
  area.
• 30 of Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  clients are SSA recipients.

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The NumbersJune 2001 June 2002

• Over 4000 individuals have received information
  and referral that includes outreach to the
  community.
• Approximately 300 individuals have received
  intensive benefit planning with a certified
  benefit planner.
• Of the 300 individuals, 40 have mental and
  emotional disorders. 50 are Developmentally
  Disabled and have Mental Illness. 10 of the
  individuals have other disabilities.

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The NumbersJune 2001 June 2002

• Of the 300 individuals who received benefit
  planning
• 38 of the individuals are between the age of
  20-39.
• 54 of the individuals are between the age of
  40-59.
• 56 are female - 44 are male.
• 28 of the individuals, at the time of benefit
  planning were employed part-time.
• 65 are not employed and are seeking to enter or
  reenter the workforce.
• 7 indicated no interest in entering or
  reentering the workforce due to their disability.

25
Current Status

• On-track in what areas?
• Behind in what areas?
• Ahead in what areas?
• Unexpected delays or issues.

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Wrap up and Contact

• QUESTIONS ????
• Booker T. Graves
• Office of Workforce Development
• 1313 Sherman Rm 323
• 303-866-4937
• Booker.graves_at_state.co.us
• Web Site- www.state.co.us/owd