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ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris CEO, Burton Blatt Institute – Syracuse University Monday, September 8, 2008
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ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Dec 16, 2015

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Page 1: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With

Intellectual Disabilities

Benefits to Enhance EmploymentProfitability and Asset Accumulation

Michael MorrisCEO, Burton Blatt Institute – Syracuse UniversityMonday, September 8, 2008

Page 2: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

“My American Dream is to live on my own, work and have friends.”

Ohio Asset Development Summit Participant, November 2007

Page 3: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

To enhance employment profitability requires changes in policy, culture, capacity and expectations.

Page 4: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

A culture of dependence on public benefits is being transformed by a new roadmap out of poverty that recognizes the value of economic empowerment must stretch beyond work to saving, asset building and advancing self-sufficiency.

Page 5: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Three-Part Presentation

Context

Strategies

Next Steps

Page 6: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Context

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Olmstead Decision GAO Perspective CMS (Disables and Elderly Health

Programs Group - DEHPG) Strategic Action Plan 2007-2009

Statistical Perspective

Page 7: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990

The Nation’s proper goals regarding individuals with disabilities are to assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for such individuals;

42 U.S.C. § 1201(a)(8) (2005)

Page 8: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Olmstead Integration Mandate (1999)

Improve availability of community-based living options with needed long-term supports

Rebalance public resources Improve consumer self-direction Improve community participation

Page 9: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Agencies and programs generally operate

independently of one another; Difficulty communicating and coordinating with other

programs serving individuals with disabilities (2005); A myriad of policies and procedures from other

systems that do not work in concert with one another (2007);

Fragmentation of federal disability programs; Patchwork of federal policy and program initiatives; Defining and articulating a common outcome will

enhance and sustain collaboration among federal agencies (2008).

Page 10: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

CMS Strategic Action Plan (2007-2009)

Person-centered long-term support system

Respect choice and state flexibility Provide individuals the tools they need

to lead self-determined lives Support economic self-sufficiency

initiatives

Page 11: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Statistical Perspective

Students with disabilities are twice as likely to drop out of high school than students without disabilities.

Only 21.7% of people with disabilities were employed full-time compared to 56.6% of individuals without disabilities.

Working age adults with intellectual disabilities are ten times more likely to be living at or below poverty levels as compared to individuals without disabilities.

Page 12: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Statistical Perspective (continued)

As of March 2008, 1.1 million children nationwide receive SSI benefits.

Two-thirds of these children will remain on benefits for life.

The cost will be in excess of 200 billion dollars.

Page 13: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Statistical Perspective (continued)

There are over 10 million recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

In 2008, SSA will expend over 125 billion dollars in payments to SSI and/or SSDI beneficiaries.

Only half of one percent (.5%) of SSI and/or SSDI beneficiaries return to work.

Page 14: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

“Historically, public assistance in exchange for enforced poverty and the absence of freedom is a bad deal - one that fails all parties to the arrangement; people with disabilities, their families, and the American people.”

President’s Committee for Intellectual Disabilities: 2004 Report to the President

Page 15: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Asset and income limits for major entitlement programs (Social Security, Medicaid) to remain eligible is a no-win situation.

Page 16: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

These policies perpetuate the myth that people with disabilities can’t work and don’t want to become self-sufficient.

Page 17: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Enduring poverty and lack of economic empowerment will:

Diminish choices and quality of life within communities and

Singularly diminish freedom, opportunity, and self-determination.

Page 18: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Strategies to Focus on a Better Economic Future

Page 19: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

What is Economic Empowerment?

The ability to develop and control income and assets

The capacity to preserve and grow resources that expand life choices (live, work, play)

Assets include savings, investments, home and/or business ownership, a means of transportation, and products

Page 20: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Why is income preservation and asset development important?

It will positively impact self-concept and level of community participation.

It will change expectations and status with other community stakeholders.

Page 21: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

There is no single strategy or solution that will overcome multiple barriers to advance greater self-sufficiency for persons with significant disabilities.

Page 22: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

The foundation to build an “Advancing Self-Sufficiency” framework is the principles of self-determination. Freedom to make decisions and plan short and

long-term; Authority to control how money is spent to

provide needed supports; Support from families, friends, and others you

choose for yourself; Responsibility to do what you say you will do.

Page 23: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

State plan option 1915(j)(3) and Medicaid Home and Community Based Services 1915(c) are a starting point to focus attention on the importance of: economic empowerment income production and saving asset development

to tear down barriers to community participation.

Page 24: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Emerging Tools and Strategies Financial Literacy and Access to Financial Services Favorable Tax Provisions (EITC) and Free Tax

Preparation Individual Development Accounts Home Ownership Work Incentives Microenterprise Development Ticket to Work Medicaid Buy-In

Page 25: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

These tools (IDAs, Tax Credits, Microenterprise Development, Home Ownership) were focused on low income working families, not people with disabilities. People with disabilities are a new market segment!

Page 26: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Created by Congress in 1975 to provide an

incentive to work for low-income families. Refundable Tax Credit Twenty percent of individuals who are eligible

do not claim the credit. An estimated 1 million individuals with

disabilities annually do not claim the credit. Split Refund: New Option VITA - Free Tax Preparation

Page 27: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Individual Development Accounts (IDA)

Matched Savings Plans Targeted Asset Goals Financial Education Over 30,000 IDA Accounts Open Match Earned Income

Page 28: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Escrow Account with a bank/credit union Intensive oversight of employment goals Withdrawals on a case-by-case basis for

home ownership, transportation, education, other

Housing Choice Vouchers limits rent to 30 percent of income

Page 29: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Social Security Work Incentives

Options to increase income, save, and advance self-sufficiency

Over a dozen different work incentives IRWE: reduce income due to out of pocket

disability-related expenses 1619(A) and (B): increase earning beyond SGA to

remain eligible for Medicaid PASS: Plan to Achieve Self-Support excludes

income and resources from countable assets that are set aside to reach a specific occupational goal.

Page 30: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

What is Missing?

A bridge to connect existing programs to other organized efforts to advance community inclusion and self-sufficiency.

Page 31: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

“The Bridge”

Person-centered planning Individualized plans Individual-directed asset account

Page 32: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Individualized Plans (Nine Federal Authorities)

AgencyA. CMSB. SSAC. LaborD. SSAE. HHSF. EducationG. VRH. MHI. HUD

Approach Individual Budgets Ticket to Work Individual Training Accounts Plan to Achieve Self-Support Individual Development Accounts Individual Transition Plan Individual Plan for Employment Recovery Plan Family Self-Sufficiency Plan

Page 33: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Refine and Reframe the Focus!

Focus on “Advancing Self-Sufficiency” and raise expectations beyond employment and community participation.

Focus on income production, saving and asset building to advance the level and scope of community participation.

Focus across federal systems of support to access tools to preserve income and build assets.

Page 34: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Braiding of Resources

IDAs, PASS, Family Self-Sufficiency and Housing Choice Voucher, EITC, and start your own microenterprise.

The possible pathways to advance economic independence are greatly expanded.

Page 35: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Braiding of Resources

Knowledge is power! What happens when you use all of

these tools and strategies to advance your economic independence?

Page 36: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

New Approaches - New Partnerships

Real Economic Impact Tour (www.REITour.org)

Asset Development Summits Work Incentives - Asset Development

Curricula

Page 37: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Emerging New Partnerships Mayor’s Offices United Way IRS

FDIC IDA Providers EITC Coalitions Financial Institutions Microenterprise Lenders Home Ownership and Credit

Counseling Programs

DD Council VR Agency Social Security Field

Office WIPA Grantees ARC Centers for

Independent Living Goodwill Community Action

Agencies

Page 38: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Next Steps for Federal Agencies

Individual Account and Asset Building Workgroup

Collaboration with REI Tour Pilot Braided Individual-Directed Asset

Account Approach with Selected States Training and TA to Transform Culture Disseminate Best Practice Examples to

Build Capacity with Public-Private Sector Collaboration

Page 39: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Align Policy and Adopt Common Goals Explore options to create a unified individual

account; Simplify the assessment and application

process for potential eligible individuals; Centralize the collection of and share

background information on applicants; Pool resources for a collaborative person-

centered planning process; and Create a braided account that promotes self-

determination and economic empowerment.

Page 40: ODEP-PCPID Forum on Employment of People With Intellectual Disabilities Benefits to Enhance Employment Profitability and Asset Accumulation Michael Morris.

Conclusion - Better Economic Future

Align Disability-Specific and Generic Policy Raise income and asset limits for remaining

eligible for public benefits Leverage public and private sector resources

and develop cross-system collaborations Orient individual plans toward economic self-

sufficiency goals Document and market contributions to an

inclusive workforce and real community economic impact