Overview of AIDD’s Partnerships in Employment Systems Change Grants
AIDD’s eight Partnerships in Employment Systems Change projects are funded under Projects of National Significance. These grantees have partnered with various state agencies to form a consortium that will develop and conduct initiatives designed to improve employment outcomes, expand competitive employment in integrated settings, and improve statewide system policies and practices for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The grantees will document their systems change efforts throughout the 5-year project period.
In FY 2011 AIDD awarded six grants:
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California Employment Consortium for Youth and Young Adults with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities (CECY)
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September 30, 2011
Abstract
This project will use a multi-faceted approach to apply key elements from high performing states in integrated competitive employment and principles of Collaborative Leadership. A unified value, vision, and expectation for competitive integrated employment will be established and will serve as the basis for the strategies used for stimulating policy to practice, training, technical assistance, and a shared method for monitoring progress through available state and local employment data. The main activities for CECY are to: 1) develop a shared vision and skills for collaborative partnerships at the state and local level; 2) identify models for transition to employment through eight Local Employment Collaborative teams and in postsecondary education through the College to Career Program; 3) enhance knowledge, skills, and attitudes through local training, webinars, state and national conference; and 4) disseminate information through California’s Employment First web site that will contain a resource bank with online resources and materials, evidence-based and promising practices, and project stories of success.
Organization
University of California – Los Angeles, Board of Regents
Office of Contract and Grant Administration
11000 Kinross Avenue, Suite 211
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1406Grant Number
90DN0284
Contact
Olivia Raynor, Principal Investigator
Phone: (310) 794-1141
Fax: (310) 794-1143
E-mail: Oraynor@mednet.ucla.eduAward Amount
$425,725 per year
Project Period
9/30/11 – 9/29/16
Project Officer
Larissa R. Crossen
Phone: (202) 690-5999
E-mail: Larissa.Crossen@acl.hhs.gov -
Iowa Coalition for Integrated Employment
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September 30, 2011
Abstract
The overall goal of this project is to improve systems so that Iowa’s youth with developmental disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities, have fully integrated, competitive work, regardless of where they live in the state. This project includes a base Consortium of representatives from the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and the Iowa Department of Human Services. In addition, a Coalition of diverse stakeholders will be formed that represents all levels of services and interest to blend and refine efforts for systemic changes. Iowa’s Coalition for Integrated Employment will address the following:
- establishing and engaging a Coalition to develop and implement a Readiness for Change Plan for systems change for integrated, competitive employment for youth with DD;
- develop an outcome measurement system to measure employment success for consistent systems improvement;
- increase ongoing delivery of preparation, placement and support services that begin in early high school and result in uninterrupted employment supports;
- develop service providers who align their mission, services, and resources to promote integrated, competitive employment for youth with DD;
- increase expectation and demand for fully integrated, competitive employment opportunities; and
- align policies, practices, and funding with employment expectations.
Organization
Iowa Department of Human Services
617 East 2nd Street
Des Moines, IA 50309-1931Contact
Becky Harker, Executive Director
Phone: (515) 725-0431
Fax: (515) 725-0437
E-mail: bharker@dhs.state.ia.usGrant Number
90DN0287
Award Amount
$358,000 per year
Project Period
9/30/11–9/29/16
Project Officer
Larissa R. Crossen
Phone: (202) 690-5999
E-mail: Larissa.Crossen@acl.hhs.gov -
Mississippi Partners for Employment (MSPE)
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September 30, 2011
Abstract
The Mississippi Partnerships for Employment (MSPE) will build capacity across state systems for sustainable systems change that improves outcomes for youth and young adults with I/DD seeking competitive employment in integrated settings. Through the MSPE, project partners will work collaboratively to:
- Develop and implement policies that support competitive employment outcomes for youth and young adults with I/DD;
- Develop innovative strategies to remove systemic barriers to competitive employment in integrated settings;
- Identify and implement strategies and best practices that improve employment outcomes for youth and young adults with I/DD;
- Enhance statewide collaborations that can facilitate the transition process from secondary to post-secondary schools or other pre-vocational training settings; and
- Develop and implement evaluation measures to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the project.
Organization
Mississippi Department of Mental Health
239 North Lamar Street, 1101 Robert E. Lee Building
Jackson, MS 39201-1328Contact
Ms. Edith M. Hayes, Executive Director
Phone: 601-359-6238
Fax: 601-359-5330
E-mail: Edie.Hayles@dmh.state.ms.usOr Christy Ashley
E-mail: Christy.Ashley@dmh.state.ms.usAward Amount
$355,150 per year
Project Period
9/30/11–9/29/16
Project Officer
Larissa R. Crossen
Phone: 202-690-5999
E-mail: Larissa.Crossen@acf.hhs.govGrant #
90DN0285
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Show Me Careers: Missouri’s Transition-to-Employment Collaborative
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Abstract
This project will address the needs of youth and young adults ages 16–30 with developmental and intellectual disabilities (I/DD) who are in the process of transitioning from secondary or post-secondary education settings to community employment. To address this need, the overall goal of this project is “to scale up and sustain evidence-based practices in Missouri that support seamless transition to integrated employment.” A leadership consortium of states agencies (Missouri Division of DD, Missouri Office of Special Education, Missouri Office of Special Education, Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation), the Missouri Planning Council for DD, the Missouri Center for Excellence in DD, and Missouri People First will support a statewide structure through which to demonstrate evidence-based practices, develop needed policies and practices, and enhance statewide collaborations.
Organization
University of Missouri Kansas City
Institute for Human Development
215 W. Pershing Rd., 6th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64108-2639Contact
Tom McVeigh, M.S.
Associate Director, Program Development
Phone: (816) 235-1750
Fax: (816) 235-1762
E-mail: mcveight@umkc.eduGrant Number
90DN0288
Award Amount
$438,000 per year
Project Period
9/30/11 – 9/29/16
Project Officer
Larissa R. Crossen
Phone: (202) 690-5999
E-mail: Larissa.Crossen@acl.hhs.gov -
New York State Partnerships in Employment Systems Change
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Abstract
This effort will create a statewide demonstration project that advances systems change to expand competitive employment in integrated settings for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project will enhance collaboration among the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, New York State Education Department, Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation, Office of Special Education, and New State’s three University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). A State and Regional Consortia will be created to engage in systems change efforts that contribute to the following 1) developing policies that support competitive employment integrated settings as the first and desired outcome for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities; 2) removing systemic barriers to competitive employment in integrated settings; 3) implementing strategies and best practices that improve employment outcomes for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and 4) enhancing collaboration to facilitate the transition process from secondary to other prevocational training settings to integrated employment settings.
Organization
University of Rochester
Office of Research & Project Administration
518 Hylan Building
Rochester, NY 14627Contact
Cheryl K. Williams, Assistant Director
Phone: (585) 275-8033
Fax: (585) 275-9492
E-mail: cwilliam@orpa.rochester.eduGrant Number
90DN0289
Award Amount
$470,000 per year
Project Period
9/30/11 – 9/29/16
Project Officer
Larissa R. Crossen
Phone: (202) 690-5999
E-mail: Larissa.Crossen@acl.hhs.gov -
Let’s Get to Work Project (Wisconsin)
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Abstract
Wisconsin’s Let’s Get to Work project will develop and implement policies and practices that elevate community expectations and overall employment outcomes for youth with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). To accomplish this, the project will use statewide school pilot sites to test evidence-based practices and simulated policy changes that expand competitive employment in integrated settings. A coordinated set of intervention strategies and awareness-building activities will be implemented at the sites with a total of 40 youth, ages 15–17, who have been identified through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process as having intellectual or multiple disabilities or autism. Results will be evaluated for efficacy, and then analyzed by a broad-based consortium of statewide policy, systems, and grassroots leaders. This consortium will then develop strategies for dissemination of policies and practices, grassroots advocacy, and ultimate implementation. The consortium’s goal will be to embed findings into existing policies and practices at the local, state, and federal levels, ultimately resulting in sustainable, improved employment and self-sufficiency outcomes for youth with I/DD.
Organization
Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
201 W. Washington Avenue
Suite 110
Madison, WI 53703-2796Contact
Beth Swedeen, Executive Director
Phone: (608) 266-1166
Fax: (608) 267-3906
E-mail: Beth.Swedeen@wisconsin.govGrant Number
90DN0286
Award Amount
$365,000 per year
Project Period
9/30/11–9/29/16
Project Officer
Larissa R. Crossen
Phone: (202) 690-5999
E-mail: Larissa.Crossen@acl.hhs.gov
In FY 2012 AIDD awarded additional funding for:
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Alaska Integrated Employment Initiative (IEI)
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October 1, 2012
Abstract
The purpose of the Alaska Integrated Employment Initiative is to prioritize employment as the first and preferred option for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Alaska. A partnership consisting of the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, the Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS), the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), the Department of Education and Early Development, Disability Law Center of Alaska, and the Center for Human Development will address barriers and develop replicable, sustainable strategies using a three-pronged approach: 1) policy development that will focus on implementation of policy at all levels (legislative, regulatory, day-to-day policies and procedures), including obtaining, allocating, or re-allocating resources (people, time, money); 2) capacity building that will focus on building knowledge, training, consultation and technical assistance, and peer-to-peer learning; and 3) resource leveraging that will include pooling of assets and resources, blending and braiding resources, and integrating IEI activities with other priorities and initiatives.
Specific impact indicators are to:
- Increase the percent of youth and young adults served by DVR from 20 percent to 25 percent
- Increase hours worked by DVR participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities from 13 to 20 hours per week (comparable to other youth with disabilities)
- Double the number of youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by SDS who are employed or self-employed.
Grantee
Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education
PO Box 240249
Anchorage, AK 99524-0249Grant Number
90DN0293
Project Amount
$370,667 per year
Project Period
9/30/2012 – 9/29/2017
Contact
Millie Ryan
Phone: (907) 269-8992
Fax: (907) 269-8995
E-mail: Millie.Ryan@alaska.govAIDD Project Officer
Larissa Crossen
Phone: (202) 690-5999
E-mail: Larissa.Crossen@acl.hhs.gov -
Tennessee Works Partnership: Changing the Employment Landscape Statewide
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Abstract
The overall purpose of Tennessee Works Partnership: Changing the Employment Landscape Statewide is to raise the aspirations and capacities of young people by increasing collaboration across state systems to pursue integrated, competitive work as a realistic and first choice for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Vanderbilt Kennedy University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and 28 agencies have collaborated to form the Tennessee Works Partnership (TWP) to stimulate systems and policy change. State partners include the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Department of Education, Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Higher Education Commission. The TWP will create statewide coordination of training, dissemination, and policy to equip families and educators across the state with accessible resources, training, and supports to enable them to successfully connect youth with disabilities to early work experiences.
The TWP will accomplish these goals by developing a sustainable collaborative that engages youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in an innovative, tiered training and dissemination model that strengthens the capacity and commitment of families, educators, and providers to deliver best practices that promote competitive employment and by establishing mechanisms to ensure the sustainability and long-term impact of TWP’s efforts.
Grantee
Vanderbilt University
1400 18th Ave. So.
Nashville, TN 37212-2809Grant Number
90DN0294
Project Amount
$362,092 per year
Project Period
9/30/2012 – 9/29/2017
Contact
Erik Carter, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Phone: (615) 875-3398
E-mail: Erik.Carter@vanderbilt.eduAIDD Project Officer
Larissa Crossen
Phone: (202) 690-5999
E-mail: Larissa.Crossen@acl.hhs.gov
AIDD also provides funding to two additional grantees for training and technical assistance and evaluation:
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Training and Technical Assistance for Partnerships in Employment Systems Change Grants
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University of Massachusetts Boston, Institute for Community Inclusion
Abstract
The Administration on Developmental Disabilities has provided funding to the Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston to establish a Training and Technical Assistance Center for the six Partnerships for Employment Systems Change projects. This project will facilitate a comprehensive assessment of policy and practice in each participating state at the start of the project to support work plan development and to identify existing expertise and common needs for state-to-state collaboration. Permanent products will include longitudinal cross state analysis of data on factors that support and impede systems change efforts, a High Performing Transition Model state self-assessment toolkit, a performance benchmarking toolkit, community of practice reports and recommendations, topical webinars for demand use, and resource library of model documents and tools including MOUs, policies, and service tools.
Organization
University of Massachusetts Boston
Institute for Community Inclusion
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 01501Contact
John Butterworth, Ph.D., Director
Phone: (617) 287-4357
Fax: (617) 287-4352
E-mail: John.Butterworth@umb.edu
Web: www.communityinclusion.orgGrant Number
90DN0290
Award Amount
$200,000 per year
Project Period
9/30/11–9/29/16
Project Officer
Larissa R. Crossen
Phone: (202) 690-5999
E-mail: Larissa.Crossen@acl.hhs.gov -
Process and Systems Change Evaluation of Partnerships for Employment Systems Change Grants
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The Lewin Group
September 30, 2011
Abstract
The Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities awarded a six-year contract to The Lewin Group to serve as the evaluator of the eight Partnerships in Employment Systems Change projects. The Lewin Group has developed and is implementing an effective third-party process and evaluation of the eight employment projects to inform AIDD and its partners how to best work to support competitive, integrated employment systems for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Successful performance under this contract requires a range of skills and abilities including expertise in evaluation design of complex human service delivery systems for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including but not limited to programs authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. This six-year contract ends September 29, 2017.
Cindy Gruman, Ph.D.
Project Manager
3130 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 800
Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone: 703-259-5506
Fax: 269-5501
E-mail: Cindy.Gruman@lewin.com
Web: www.lewin.com
Purpose
The purpose of these grants is to prioritize employment as the first and preferred option for youth and young adults with I/DD. Grantees will enhance collaboration across existing state systems, including programs administered by state developmental disabilities agencies, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, state educational agencies, and other entities to increase competitive employment outcomes for youth and young adults with I/DD.
Activities
Through state partnerships, grantees will collaborate, connect, and share information, with the overall goal of making changes to state service systems to improve employment outcomes for individuals with I/DD.
The goal of the state partnerships is to:
- Develop policies that support competitive integrated employment
- Remove barriers to competitive integrated employment
- Implement strategies and best practices to improve employment outcomes for youth and young adults with I/DD
- Enhance statewide collaborations to facilitate the transition process from the school setting to the employment setting