Alaska Integrated Employment Initiative (AIEI) Alaska Transition Handbook Project Patrick Reinhart, Project Director Kristin Vandagriff, Project Lead May 8, 2018
AIEI Mission: To improve employment outcomes for youth and young adults (ages 16-26) with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Alaska.
AIEI Partners: Division of Senior and Disabilities Services Division of Department of Vocational Education and Early Rehabilitation Development AIEI Peer Power Alaska Division of Employment and (statewide self-advocacy Training Services Administered by the organization) Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and University of Alaska Other Stakeholders: Anchorage Center for individuals with disabilities, Human Development parents/families, service (Alaska’s UCEDD) providers Disability Law Center of Alaska Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (Alaska’s Protection and Advocacy Agency)
Where Alaska’s Transition Enhancement Journey Led… …a comprehensive handbook – the culmination of Alaska’s 5-year PIE grant…
Alaska Transition Handbook Access Electronically: http://dhss.alaska.gov/ gcdse/Documents/Tran sitionsHandbook.pdf *GCDSE Website Hot Button!*
Shared DD Vision Alaskans share a vision of a flexible system in which each person directs their own supports, based on their strengths and abilities, toward a meaningful life in their home, their job and their community. Our vision includes supported families, professional staff and services available throughout the state now and into the future.
The Alaska Transition Handbook A where to turn for employment for Alaskans with disabilities
Teacher Postcards for IEP Meetings
Influencing Factors • Advisory Board discussions on transition timeline • Policy and regulations team matrix work • Implementation of Employment First and ABLE Acts • Alaska Disability Benefits 101 rollout
Stakeholders Drove Creation • Advisory Board Stakeholders Wanted: – Central place for all things employment-related – System navigation information – Basic overview of services & resources • Robust inclusion of Alaska-specific resources • Easy links to learn more when applicable – Success stories – High expectations
The Power of Success “There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more.” – Robert M. Hensel
Content Vetting • Multi-phase stakeholder review – AIEI advisory board which included: individuals with disabilities, family members, State DD Agency, DVR, TVR, DD service providers, Job Center Network, AK WIPA, Department of Education, UCEDD, and P&A. • Separate agency content review Goal = • Council staff subject matter expertise No Surprises!
Roll Out Self-Advocacy Statewide Summit Statewide DD Provider Association Meeting DD Council Meeting Trust Meeting Job Fairs State Special Education Conference Parent Conference Helped us achieve funders for a DSP & Care Coordination Conference larger printing of Social Media handbooks Email Listserv Newsletters Website
Printed Copies Dissemination • 13,000 (to date) dissemination to: • Parent navigator organizations • UCEDD • DVR • Job Center Network • All 52 School Districts in Alaska • Independent Living Centers • Transition programs *Teacher Toolkit (posters, handout flyer, postcards)
Quick Contents Overview
Impact • 13,000 copies printed – Due to widespread demand across the state • Family and individual feedback • Teacher feedback • State agency and provider feedback
Mission Moment • Alaska’s Subminimum Wage Regulation Repeal – Only 3 rd state in nation to do this – Joins Maryland and New Hampshire • What led to this in Alaska? – AK PIE Project Advisory Board Discussions – AK Barriers to Integrated Employment Report – Employment First law passage & implementation – Collaboration on national subminimum wage briefs – Bottom Dollars showings across the state
National News & Resources National Subminimum Wage Briefs: Partnerships in Employment Brief: Guidance on How to Obtain Data on • the Use of Subminimum Wages Within a State to Inform Systems Change Activities https://scholarworks.umb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source= – web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwi82a3koJzaAhWmv1QKHWNABpgQFggpMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscholarworks.umb.edu%2Fc gi%2Fviewcontent.cgi%3Farticle%3D1054%26context%3Dici_pubs&usg=AOvVaw1sZVsuA2I_4ZqEofKSud4H&httpsredir=1 &article=1054&context=ici_pubs Partnerships in Employment Brief: Influencing Changes in State Policy and • Practice with Data on Subminimum Wages https://scholarworks.umb.edu/ici_pubs/40/ – • Collaborative between Alaska and Tennessee’s Partnerships in Employment (PIE) projects as well as the Protection and Advocacy organizations in both states include bottom dollars link Bottom Dollars Documentary: http://www.rootedinrights.org/videos/employment/bottom-dollars/ • – Includes info on hosting a screening and map of 14c across the nation
Thanks to the Partnerships in Employment Project! Alaskan youth with disabilities have vastly more opportunities to become employed and reach their goals!
Questions? Patrick Reinhart, Executive Director Kristin Vandagriff, Employment Program Coordinator 3601 C Street, Suite 740 Anchorage, AK 99503 1-888-269-8990 http://dhss.alaska.gov/gcdse
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