Transcript Disability Program Navigator Integrated Resource Team (IRT

Disability Program Navigator
Integrated Resource Team
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Presented By:
U.S. Department of Labor National DPN Program Office
Older Worker/Disability Unit, Division of Adult Services
Employment and Training Administration
Law, Health Policy and Disability Center (LHPDC)
University of Iowa, College of Law
1
What is the Primary Function of an IRT?


Members of an IRT will work together to identify
and strategize how their services and resources
can be coordinated to help a jobseeker with a
disability reach their employment goal.
The jobseeker will also be responsible for
identifying their role and contributions in
attaining their employment goal.
2
What is an Integrated Resource Team
(IRT)?


An IRT brings together public and private sector
representatives at a local One-Stop community
level.
It improves communication and collaboration
which results in enhanced coordination of
services and supports for an individual jobseeker
with a disability.
3
Who Might Participate in an IRT?


Since the IRT is based on the needs of the individual,
the members of the team will consist of community
and partner agencies and One-Stop programs that
serve the needs of the individual jobseeker.
Many times the members of an IRT will closely reflect
the members of an Interagency Committee, meaning
an IRT may consist of members from the Workforce
Investment system, the Mental Health system, the
Vocational Rehabilitation system, the Independent
Living Center, the Community Work Incentives
Coordinator, a Supported Employment Specialist, etc.
It all depends on the needs of the individual
jobseeker.
4
What is the Role of the Disability Program
Navigator Related to the Integrated
Resource Team?


The Navigator serves as a facilitator to help build
understanding within the One-Stop Career Center system
about the benefits of the added level of service an IRT
provides.
As a facilitator a Navigator may:
• Help One-Stop staff explain the benefits of utilizing the IRT
model to a jobseeker to ensure they are in agreement of
needing this level of service and information sharing.
• Work with One-Stop staff and the jobseeker to identify and
reach out to agency staff who may appropriately serve as part
of the IRT.
• Facilitate the first IRT meeting to ensure that partners and the
jobseeker are aware of the purpose of the IRT and lead the
discussion to include key purposes of the IRT like service
coordination, shared plans, communication and follow-through.
5
What is the Overall Goal of Introducing the
IRT Model?



The desired outcome of introducing the IRT is to
enhance cross-agency collaboration and
communication to better leverage available resources
in a seamless way for an individual jobseeker with a
disability. Additionally, the IRT will result in increased
enrollments in available workforce development
programs and greater knowledge of available career
options.
The overall goal of the IRT is to help the One-Stop
Career Center system and partner agencies see the
benefit of resource collaboration.
This concept may require a culture shift, be patient, it
can happen.
6
What is an Interagency
Committee?



An Interagency Committee, sometimes referred
to as an Interagency Team, Disability Action
Committee, or Integrated Agency Team etc. is a
group that comes together to address barriers
present at a systemic level.
The committee typically consists of
representatives from several agencies who have
a common goal of helping persons with
disabilities.
The committee, through concentrated and
collaborative efforts, seeks to foster and facilitate
change based on the identified needs of the
disability community.
7
What is the difference between an IRT and
an Interagency Committee?

An IRT focuses on the specific needs of an
Individual Jobseeker.
• An IRT may be brought together to improve services and
cross-agency communication as a support to a person
with a disability in order to obtain or maintain
employment.

An Interagency Committee focuses on systems
coordination, problem-solving and collaboration
for more effective services for people with
disabilities.
• An Interagency Committee typically meets on a regular
basis in order to problem-solve and work together as a
way to improve employment outcomes for people with
disabilities.
8
Does an Interagency Committee Function
Differently than an IRT?


The focus of an IRT is on an individual level,
therefore the members of the IRT will change
based on the employment services and supports
needed that are unique to the jobseeker.
An Interagency Committee focuses on systems
level change and works to identify barriers
inherent in the system to improve employment
outcomes for people with disabilities. Typically,
the members of an Interagency Committee are
more constant and cover a broader spectrum
than those of an IRT.
9
Do You Need to Have an Interagency
Committee in Order to Have an IRT?

No. The most important elements to have
in order to promote the IRT model as a
viable option for a jobseeker with a
disability are as follows:
• Widespread knowledge of existing resources in
the local/regional community.
• Ultimately, representatives from programs and
agencies that can provide direct services and
resources will be invited.
10
Can an Interagency Committee be
Beneficial to an IRT?


An Interagency Committee can be helpful
but is not required in order to successfully
implement and execute the IRT model.
If there is an Interagency Committee
already in place, the Navigator can
present the concept of an IRT to that
committee who may be able to help
implement it.
11
Is the Disability Program Navigator
Becoming a Case Manager?


Absolutely Not. The Navigator is not
expected to spend their time managing
cases. Instead, the Navigator will help
facilitate connections to other agencies
through an IRT.
Other members of the IRT (not the
Navigator) will most likely have a case file
for the jobseeker, thus there will be no
need for the Navigator to have a case file.
12
Does a Disability Program Navigator Ever
Meet Directly with a Jobseeker with a
Disability?



Yes. However, a Navigator will not have a caseload
because that takes away from their ability to work on
systems change, provide trainings, and to build
relationships.
The Navigator should work to include other relevant
staff and partners in meetings with jobseekers in
order to model effective strategies for One-Stop staff
and partners.
This promotes a vital transfer of knowledge and
prevents the Navigator from becoming a “silo” of
disability and employment related information and
services.
13
What Does a Disability Program Navigator
Do Who Serves Three or More One-Stop
Career Centers?


In areas where an Interagency Committee exists,
the Navigator may use the Interagency
Committee as a mechanism to introduce and
implement the IRT model.
In areas where an Interagency Committee does
not exist, the Navigator may offer intensive
training through modeling to One-Stop staff and
partners so each area can utilize the IRT model
when appropriate.
14
How Does the Integrated Resource Team
Model Differ from the Customized
Employment Model?




The IRT is designed to engage cross-agency participation within
the One-Stop Career Center for an individual with a disability.
The Customized Employment Model involves individualizing the
relationship between a jobseeker and an employer and uses a
specific set of tools to do so.
The IRT may engage in some elements of Customized
Employment, however, the IRT Model will not use or need all of
the comprehensive tools and structured processes that the
Customized Employment Model offers.
It is understood that not all One-Stop Career Centers have the
capacity or the ability to facilitate the Customized Employment
Model.
15
How Does the IRT Model Differ From and/or
Incorporate Aspects of the Person Centered
Planning Model?


Person Centered Planning (PCP) involves much
more intensive and personalized services utilizing
a specific set of tools in order to help the
jobseeker obtain and maintain employment.
Some of the tools utilized in PCP may be utilized
by members of the IRT to help the jobseeker
achieve their desired outcome. However, the
focus of the IRT is to enhance resource
coordination and collaboration between disability
and workforce agencies in order to give the
jobseeker with a disability an increased
opportunity for employment.
16
Case Scenario - Diane
 Diane is Deaf and Non-Verbal
 She does an intake appointment with a WIA Case Manager.
 She indicates that she is interested in Dog Grooming and that she
has previously worked with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).
 The Navigator is asked to join the next meeting to help with
suggestions and additional resources that Diane may want to
access.
 The Navigator suggests Diane Reconnect with VR.
 The IRT is formed and roles are assigned. The IRT included Diane,
the WIA Case Manager, the VR Counselor and the Navigator.
 Diane attends the training program, with accommodations, and
graduates with honors. She is referred by her training provider to
a job.
 The WIA Case Manager provides the needed follow-up information17
to each member of the IRT.
Case Scenario - Jean

Jean was a TANF client and had trouble maintaining a Job.

Jean’s TANF case manager attended a training on hidden
disabilities provided by the Navigator.

The TANF case manager invited the Navigator to the next meeting
with Jean.



An IRT was formed and roles of each member of the IRT were
established. The IRT included Jean, the TANF case manager, a VR
counselor, a Mental Health representative, an Employment
Specialist and the Navigator.
After three months Jean secured a full-time job with health
benefits that was in line with her career choice.
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 additional follow-up services that were available. A year
after beginning her employment Jean’s case was closed. She was
receiving no benefits and had earned a merit based raise.
18
Case Scenario - Harry






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 requests a tactile sign language interpreter for his intake
appointment.
During the intake appointment it is determined that he is eligible for
intensive services. It was also learned he was working with additional
supportive agencies.
The Navigator coordinated and facilitated the first IRT meeting. The IRT
included Harry, the Case Manager from the Commission for the Blind, a
representative from the Independent Living Center, the Tactile Sign
Language Interpreter, an Employment Specialist, Harry’s Mother and the
Navigator.
The IRT roles were established.
The Navigator took notes from this first meeting and emailed everyone the
notes with their agreed upon tasks. The Navigator periodically checked on
Harry’s progress but did not intervene in the case at all unless asked for
specific help from another member of the team.
After four months, Harry successfully secured a job. The IRT met a final
19
time to ensure everyone had the appropriate information regarding Harry’s
new position.
What are the Desired Outcomes of an IRT?



To enhance cross-agency collaboration and communication
to better leverage available resources in a seamless way for
an individual jobseeker with a disability. Additionally, the
IRT will result in increased enrollments in available
workforce development programs and greater knowledge of
available career options.
To provide increased access to four-year college education,
achievement of academic certifications, apprenticeship
opportunities and greater access to follow-up services and
supports to ensure employment retention.
To promote and secure financial independence for people
with disabilities, and increase their knowledge about
benefits and available work incentives that lead to greater
empowerment and inclusion.
20
Contact Information
Randee Chafkin
National DPN Program Office
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
P: 202-693-2723
E: [email protected]
Laura Gleneck
University of Iowa, College of Law
Law, Health Policy and Disability Center
P: 617-489-0086
E: [email protected]
Miranda Kennedy
University of Iowa, College of Law
Law, Health Policy and Disability Center
P: 720-890-3990
E: [email protected]
Danielle (DJ) Diamond
University of Iowa, College of Law
Law, Health Policy and Disability Center
P: 740-599-2940
E: [email protected]
21