Transcript Slide 1

Welcome to Workforce3 One
Ticket to Work Basics & Employment Network Application
U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training
Administration
Webinar Date: November 21, 2013
Presented by: Kevin Nickerson & Mary
Lynn ReVoir, NDI Technical Assistance
Team
U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Where are you?
Enter your location in the Chat window – lower left of screen
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Moderators
Moderator: Randee Chafkin
Title: Workforce Development Specialist
Organization: Employment and Training
Administration
Moderator: Miranda Kennedy
Title: Director of Training for DEI, NDI
Technical Assistance Team
Organization: National Disability Institute
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Disability Employment Initiative (DEI)
According to the SGA, DEI project must include a plan to sustain the disability
resource coordinator(s) after the grant period ends and to incorporate the
promising practices that were successfully implemented by the project into
the state and LWIB policies and practices.
Additionally, DEI Projects at the state level and/or local level participating
LWIBs are required to become Employment Networks (ENs) under Social
Security Administration’s (SSA’s) Ticket to Work Program.
Training and Technical Assistance to DEI Projects on operating as an
Employment Network provided under U.S. DOLETA contract with NDI
Consulting, Inc. and the National Disability Institute (NDI).
Evaluation of the impact of the DEI Projects implementation and outcomes of
operating as an Employment Network will be provided under U.S. DOL ODEP
contract with Social Dynamics.
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Here’s what you can expect in this webinar
Upon completion of this training webinar, DEI grantees
and participants and partners from the public
workforce system will have the following:
• Information about Ticket to Work and the basic components of the
program
• Information on the relationship between the DEI grant and
operating as a workforce EN
• Directions on how to apply to become an EN
• A Walk-Through of the Request For Quotation (RFQ)
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Presenters
Presenter: Kevin Nickerson
Title: Ticket to Work Subject Matter Expert for
DEI, NDI Technical Assistance Team
Organization: National Disability Institute
Presenter: Mary Lynn ReVoir
Title: Ticket Coordinator for DEI, NDI
Technical Assistance Team
Organization: National Disability Institute
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Agenda
• What is the Ticket to Work Program?
• Ticket to Work Basics
• How to apply to become an EN
• Walk through of the Request For
Quotation
• Q&A
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What is the Ticket to Work Program?
• A Social Security Administration
Program
• Creates an opportunity for any
entity (other than a Federal
Department) to become a Ticket
to Work ‘Employment Network’
and begin receiving payments for
supporting ‘Ticket Holders’ in
becoming self-sufficient through
employment
• Ticket Holders are qualified
Social Security Disability
Beneficiaries ages 18 to 64,
receiving Title XVI and/or Title II
benefits (SSI or SSDI)
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Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act
The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement
Act was passed in 1999 and provided benefits to SSA
Disability beneficiaries & EN’s including:
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Yearly cost of living increases for Ticket Payments to EN’s
Two new work incentives
◦ Extended Medicare benefits
◦ Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR)
Medicaid Buy-In Programs
Work Incentive Planning and Assistance projects
Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency employment program
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Self-Sufficiency and Providing Choice
• Goal: Decrease the Ticket Holder’s dependence on their
cash benefits by increasing their work effort to substantial
gainful activity, and ultimately, to assist Ticket holder in
achieving self-sufficiency
• Choice: EN’s offer another level of choice to Social
Security beneficiaries
• Increased need for exemplary Customer Service in
providing rehabilitation services is important, especially
as more EN providers become available
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From the Beneficiaries Perspective
• This is a voluntary program - as a Ticket Holder, I do not have to
participate.
• Provides Ticket Holders with CHOICE – as a Ticket Holder, I decide
who I assign my Ticket to based upon who I feel can best provide the
services I need.
• Ensures continued employment support – as a Ticket Holder, I know
you will continue to provide me support beyond the time that
Vocational Rehabilitation permits in some cases.
• Actively participating in the Ticket to Work program suspends a Ticket
Holder’s medical Continuing Disability Review – as a Ticket Holder, I
can return to work without fear that I will medically improve before I
am gainfully employed.
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Snapshot of Ticket Process
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Acronyms
APOR
Annual Performance
Outcome Report
PII
Personal Identifiable
Information
BASS
Beneficiary Access and
Support Services
RFQ
Request for Quotation
CDR
Continuing Disability
Review
SGA
Substantial Gainful Activity
COS
Certification of Services SSA
Social Security Administration
EN
Employment Network
SSDI
Social Security Disability
Insurance (Title 2)
eProcess
Electronic process for
workforce ENs only
SSI
Supplemental Security Income
(Title 16)
IEP
Individual Employment
Plan
TPR
Timely Progress Review
IWP
Individual Work Plan
TWP
Trial Work Period
OSM
Operations Support
Manager
VR
Vocational Rehabilitation
agency of the state
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How does Ticket tie into the DEI Strategies?
• Having Job Centers operate as ENs attracts customers who are on
SSA disability benefits and sends a welcoming message encouraging
the disability community to access the public workforce system
• Strengthens partnership and collaboration with VR - helps build a
responsive service delivery
• Promotes use of Integrated Resource Teams (IRTs) which increases
successful employment outcomes for customer and job center
programs
• Contributes to the credit of all programs involved in the employment
outcomes (i.e. WIA, Wagner-Peyser, VR)
• Provides an opportunity to inject Asset Development strategies, as a
part of the individualized services provided to Ticket holders
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Leveraging DEI Grant Positions within the Job Centers
• Becoming an EN is a business objective
• Most ENs have difficulty with start-up costs, as this is an
“outcome” driven program
• DEI State projects have a distinct advantage in EN start-up, as
each Pilot site has at least one Disability Resource Coordinator,
who can assist with EN operations and internal training
• What level of activity needs to occur to generate revenue to
maintain a full-time Disability Resource Coordinator (disability
subject matter expert) beyond the period of this initiative?
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Ticket and DEI youth projects
• “Our DEI project’s focus is on youth and our youth
predominantly do not have tickets.”
– If age 18 and receiving disability benefits, Ticket eligible
– DEI ENs are encouraged to serve all ages of Ticket holders, not
just those in the DEI target population (youth or adult)
• “Most of the youth served at Job Centers are using their
Ticket with state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).”
– Coordinating services among a variety of resources or using an
Integrated Resource Team (IRT) when needed, can benefit the
youth and all of the associated programs can get credit
– Job Center EN can serve a youth Ticket holder while waiting for
VR services or after VR case closure, this benefits everyone
Remember: Operating as an EN is a core component of all DEI projects
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What is all this talk about EN payments?
• An EN receives payments from SSA, when beneficiary achieves
eligible payment thresholds
• Ticket funding is an additional revenue source for Job Center
• Not considered program income and WILL NOT replace existing
funding sources (Training and Employment Notice No. 20-07)
• Ticket funds are flexible; there are NO restrictions
– Can be used to sustain work DRC position ----- Will likely
become part of DEI Sustainability Plan
– Can be used to fund service gaps at Job Center, additional
training dollars, supply transportation discounts or vouchers to
get to/from work, fund Assistive Technology or Sign Language
Interpretation, or other unique, and otherwise unfunded needs
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Milestone-Outcome Payment System:
Phase 1 Milestones
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Understanding Phase 1 Payments
There are reasons some, or all of, Phase 1
payments may not be available to an EN:
– Recent Work Activity
• Work at or above applicable Trial Work level earnings
($750 in 2013) within 18 months “prior to Ticket
assignment”
• Checkout the 18-Month Prior Earnings Tool to
explore how recent work history affects payments:
https://yourtickettowork.com/web/ttw/en-forms
– State VR history with Ticket Holder
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Milestone-Outcome Payment System:
Phase 2 Payments & Outcome Payments
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Partnership Plus
• VR Cost Reimbursement payments and EN Phase 2
Milestone and Outcome payments both possible for same
beneficiary
– SSA will pay for sequential, but not concurrent, services
• When VR chooses to serve a beneficiary under Cost
Reimbursement, beneficiary’s Ticket is:
– Considered as “in use SVR”
– Cannot be assigned to another EN while in use
– Extends Continuing Disability Review (CDR) protection
to beneficiary
• Beneficiary can assign Ticket to an EN after VR case closure
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Will becoming an EN help me with individuals that can only
work part-time?
• Based on the clear direction provided recently by SSA, an
EN should NOT assign a Ticket if the Beneficiary has no
intention of, or ability to, work at a level that would
eventually allow them to successfully leave the benefits
roles
• This is sometimes referred to as “parking”
• Should a beneficiary start with part-time work, as is
sometimes the case, this can qualify an EN for initial
Phase 1 Milestone payments, but the goal would be for
the beneficiary to keep making progress towards selfsupporting employment
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Requesting Ticket Payments: Made Easy with ePay
Workforce ENs have the option to use ePay in lieu of
collecting proof of earnings and submitting manual
requests.
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Available to Workforce ENs only
Provides automated payments from Milestone 1 through
Outcomes (ALL payments)
Processed quarterly thus a lag time in payment
NOTE: ePay will be covered in detail in subsequent trainings
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Next Steps in Becoming an EN
(Enter content here)
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The Application
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Any interested agency will complete and submit a
Request for Quotation (RFQ) to SSA to become an EN
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All Employment Networks need a signed formal
contract/agreement with Social Security Administration
(called Blanket Purchase Agreement – BPA)
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This is a federal contract/agreement and the EN needs to
maintain compliance
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What you need to before you start
1. Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as the Tax ID #
2. General business or professional liability insurance in effect
(minimum of $500,000 per occurrence)
3. DUNS number (if you need one contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-866705-5711 or apply online at www.dnb.com )
4. Register DUNS # with the System for Award Management (SAM)
www.sam.gov
• Formerly Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system and the
Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA)
• Primary registrant database for all Federal Government contracts
• Enter banking information
• Update annually
• There is no charge
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Request for Quotation (RFQ)
For RFQ Download, see:
http://www.ssa.gov/work/enrfq.html
Download and complete on your
computer
Solicitation # SSA-FRQ-12-0010L
(dated 8/27/12)
Questions on RFQ, direct to:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-584-5180
TDD: 866-584-5181
Fax: 410-597-0429
Submit electronically to:
[email protected]
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RFQ and Workforce
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Agencies that have a DOL contract are processed under
the workforce umbrella
Federal partnership between DOL and SSA
Workforce agencies are deemed eligible to apply as an
EN, plus sections of the RFQ do not apply to workforce
agencies. They include:
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Proof of Qualifications
Submitting a business plan
Proof of insurance
Workforce eProcesses reduces administrative burden
and paperwork involved with Ticket assignment and
payments for workforce ENs
It is important to know terms of the agreement
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A Closer Look of the RFQ
Contains 6 parts (see table of contents):
 Part I, BPA Agreement (required to submit)
 Part II, Price (review only)
 Part III, Statement of Work (review only)
 Part IV, Contract Clauses (review only)
 Part V, EN Quotation Documentation Requirements
(required to submit)
 Part VI, Solicitation Provisions (review only)
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Part I, Part II, and Part III
Part I- Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)
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Complete and submit
Outlines terms of BPA between the EN and SSA
Part II- Price Do not need to submit
• Outlines supplies, services, and price
• Firm–Fixed-Price of BPA is $0- for satisfactory performance of services
provided, EN is paid in accordance with the Payment to ENs schedule (Part
III--Section 11)
Part III- 12 Sections Internal review; do not need to submit
• ENs obligation, EN qualification requirements (Job Centers under WIA
deemed qualified)
• Outlines Ticket assignment process, details of IWP
• Referral Agreements, EN responsibilities
• Security requirements, EN Training, and EN evaluations
• EN Reporting Requirements, EN payment system
• Statutory Understanding and Compliance
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Understanding Your Obligations (Page 7)
• Inform and educate Ticket Holders purpose of the Ticket Program is
to provide individuals with the opportunities and supports they need to
• Go to work, increase earnings, become self-sufficient by leaving cash
benefits to the maximum extent feasible;
• Provide employment support services that afford Ticket Holders the
opportunity to prepare for, obtain and retain career ladder jobs that
will realistically enable them to leave and remain off cash benefits;
• Avoid even the appearance of advising or condoning the practice of
artificially manipulating one’s earnings to remain on cash benefits;
and,
• Fairly and objectively, advise each Ticket Holder on the benefits and
risks of leaving cash benefits and becoming self-sufficient.
• It is unacceptable for an EN to limit its business model to assisting
Ticket Holders to engage in part time employment only.
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Part IV
• Reviews and explains EN contract terms and conditions
• Reviews liability insurance requirements – WIA/Workforce
Boards/Operators exempt from submitting proof
• Explains the EN Security and Suitability Requirements:
Paragraph G (pg 45-54, 57)
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– Provides SSA policies and procedures re: background investigations
– Investigations determine the suitability of the EN to acquire, handle, and
have access to beneficiary personally identifiable information (PII)
EN suitability process does not begin until after the BPA is awarded; at this
time, only EN staff names who acquire, handle, or have access to PII are
required
When awarded BPA, contact the DEI TA Ticket Coordinator for further
resources and guidance
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Part V: Section 1 and Section 2
Section 1: Standard Form 1449 – submit
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Box 17a: Offeror Name, Address, Phone, and Tax ID/EIN number
Box 17b if applicable
Box 30 a, b, c: signature and date
Need to submit 2nd page even though you will not enter any information
Section 2: EN Information Sheet: all about your EN - submit
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Offeror Name = Name placed in Box 17 on SF 1449
EN Name- optional, if listed in Directory, choose local name
Get registered in SAM and check yes
EN Directory Contact Information: name of the beneficiary POC for your EN
Type of Organization- at minimum check either WIA One Stop and/or
Workforce Board
EN Employee Suitability- names of EN who have access/handle PII; Bene
CD is optional
Note locations and if area covered not within local phone # need toll free
For each additional/different location listed in the online EN Directory,
complete one addendum for EACH different service delivery location
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Part V: Section 3 and Part VI
Section 3: EN Quotation Checklist- internal use only, do not submit (pg 87)
•Business Plan - does not apply to workforce agencies
•Beneficiary CD – best to complete this now if you plan to use Beneficiary CD
Part VI: Solicitation Provisions - review only, do not submit
•SSA evaluation of RFQ
•RFQ selection and award
•Offeror will be notified of missing or incorrect information; given 60 days to
correct deficiencies
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RFQ Summary
• Submit Part I (pages 4-5) and all documents contained Part V
(pages72-86)
– Remember: as a WIA One Stop/Workforce Board/Operator- proof of EN
qualifications and liability insurance not required to submit with RFQ
• Obtain necessary signatures where needed
– Part I, Blanket Purchase Agreement, signature on page 4
– Part V, Section 1: SF Form 1449
– Part V, Section 2-T: Signatory Authority
• Submit signed Part I and all completed Part V documents to
[email protected]
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Polling Question
At this time, what EN model is your DEI project anticipating
to operate?
Choose the answer that best reflects you (or your group):
a. The State will operate as the EN on
behalf of the DEI pilot regions
b. Each DEI pilot region will operate
their own EN
c. We are yet deciding
d. We need more information to make
a decision
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Polling Question
What timeframe do you expect to submit the RFQ to SSA?
Choose the answer that best reflects you (or your group):
a. Within the next 30 days
b. By January 1st, 2014
c. By January 15th, 2014
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Summary
In today’s presentation we covered
the following:
• Explanation of what is Ticket to
Work and basic components of
the program, including the
payment structure for
Milestone/Outcome payments
• Information on the relationship
between the DEI grant and
operating as a workforce EN
• Directions on how to apply to
become an EN
• Review of the Request for
Quotation
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Resources
Link to Request for Quotation (RFQ):
http://www.ssa.gov/work/enrfq.html
To obtain DUNS number (if you need one)
Contact: Dun & Bradstreet
Phone: 1-866-705-5711 Website: www.dnb.com
To register Systems Award Management (SAM)
www.sam.gov
EN Payments at a Glance:
https://yourtickettowork.com/web/ttw/resource-documents
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Discussion & Feedback
Questions about EN models of
service?
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Please enter your questions in the Chat Room!
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Speakers’ Contact Information
Speaker:
Title:
Organization:
Email:
Kevin Nickerson
DEI Ticket Subject Matter Expert
National Disability Institute
[email protected]
Speaker:
Title:
Organization:
Email:
Mary Lynn ReVoir
DEI Ticket Coordinator
National Disability Institute
[email protected]
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Look for upcoming Webinars in this series!
the
SAVE
DATE
January 14, 2014 at 3pm EST
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Thank You!
Find resources for workforce system success at:
www.workforce3one.org
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