Ticket and Partnership Plus
Hosted/Facilitated by: Miranda Kennedy, NDI Technical Assistance Team
Presented by: Mary Lynn ReVoir, NDI Technical Assistance Team and
Sallie Rhodes, Ticket to Work Specialist with Maximus Operations Support
Manager
U.S. Department of Labor
2013 Ticket/EN Series
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Questions/Comments
If you have a comment or
question we encourage you to
submit it to the host in writing via
the Chat or Q&A Box to the right.
Your question will either be
addressed during the training,
responded to in the Chat or Q&A
Box, or followed up on after the
training.
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Disability Employment Initiative
(DEI)
According to the SGA, 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 in attaining
Employment Network status and implementing effective EN
operations is 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 as Employment Network will be provided under
U.S. DOL ODEP contract with Social Dynamics.
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Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this training webinar, DEI grantees
and participants and partners from the public
workforce system will have the following:
• Knowledge of the State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs
participation in the Ticket to Work program
• Information on how Partnership Plus can be used as an opportunity to
address beneficiary needs for ongoing supports after job placement
• Information on how State VR agencies and Workforce entities can
collaborate to expand the scope of services available to beneficiaries
and improve services coordination
• Examples of how Job Center Employment Networks can partner with
other community agencies
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Subject Matter Expert ReVoir
Mary Lynn ReVoir
DEI TA Liaison
P: (515) 975-2344
E: mlrevoir@ndi-inc.org
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Agenda
• Introduction of State Vocational Rehabilitation
(VR) program and Cost Reimbursement
• Introduction to Partnership Plus
• Other partnership opportunities
• Next Steps
• Q&A
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Subject Matter Expert Rhodes
Sallie Rhodes
Ticket to Work Specialist
Operations Support Manager
E:SallieRhodes@maximus.com
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Introduction of State Vocational
Rehabilitation (VR) program and
Cost Reimbursement (CR)
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The State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration
(RSA) in the US Department of Education
• A federal/state program: RSA distributes federal funding to
the states based on a formula and the availability of the
state match
• 24 states fund a general VR agency and VR blind agency
Authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Prescriptive while allowing state flexibility results in variation
in state plans
Annually State VR agencies serve approximately 1 million
consumers, placing close to 200,000 in employment
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VR Legislative Priorities Emphasize
Employment Outcomes: Entering or retaining full-time or, if
appropriate, part-time “competitive” employment in the “integrated”
labor market
Presumptive Eligibility: Individuals receiving SSI/SSDI benefits
are presumed to be eligible for VR services as long as they are
seeking to enter employment
Order of Selection (OOS): If available resources are deemed
inadequate, State VR agency must prioritize services for those
with the most significant disabilities first
• Most significant is defined by the state
• Individuals, including Social Security beneficiaries, who do not meet
priority categories may be wait-listed
• Every year, approximately 40 State VR agencies operate under an
OOS
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Social Security Authorizes
Two Compensation Programs
Cost Reimbursement program
– Compensation is based on the cost of services provided
– Available only to State VR agencies
Ticket program
– Compensation to service providers is based on beneficiaries
achieving employment-related milestones and outcomes as they
move towards self-supporting employment
– Available to approved Employment Networks (ENs)
VR given choice, on a case by case basis
State VR agencies can opt to act as an EN
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Cost Reimbursement (CR) Program
State VR agency submits for a lump sum payment
when a beneficiary achieves 9 months (within a 12month period) of earnings above Substantial Gainful
Activity
• Claim must be submitted within 12 months of the 9th
month of earnings above SGA
• Payment includes reimbursement for the cost of
approved services provided plus an administrative fee
for each month of service provision
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Cost Reimbursement (CR) and
Ticket Program Similarities
• Both are outcome-based programs
• Goal is to reduce or eliminate reliance on Social Security
disability benefits (SSDI/SSI)
• Both promote Individual Choice
– Choice of employment goal
– Choice of services to reach that goal
– Choice of service providers
• Individualized services and employment plans
– State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies = Individualized
Plan for Employment (IPE)
– Employment Networks (ENs) = Individual Work Plan or
equivalent plan
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Measurement of Success Differs
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
– Employed minimum of 90 days
– No reference to level of pay, number of hours worked, or Substantial Gainful
Activity (SGA)
Cost Reimbursement (CR)
– Submits for payment when a beneficiary achieves 9 months of earnings
above SGA (i.e., within a 12-month period)
– Payment is based on cost of services provided
Employment Network (EN)
– Payments made based on milestones Ticket Holders achieve after
assigning Ticket to the EN/State VR agency, and after job placement
– Payment thresholds based on Trial Work Level and SGA
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Subject Matter Expert ReVoir
Mary Lynn ReVoir
DEI TA Liaison
P: (515) 975-2344
E: mlrevoir@ndi-inc.org
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Introduction to Partnership Plus
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What is Partnership Plus?
• Established in 2008 Ticket revisions, under which SSA will
compensate both a State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
agency and an EN
• Only applies when VR chooses CR for beneficiary being
served
• The Ticket can only be in use or assigned to one service
provider at one time
• Payments based on provision of sequential, not concurrent,
services
 VR provides up-front services leading to job placement
 Beneficiary has option of assigning Ticket to an EN after VR closes the
case to receive ongoing employment supports
(VR agencies are not designed to provide long-term employment supports. VR
cases are commonly closed after 90 days of successful employment)
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If State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
receives Cost Reimbursement (CR)
• If VR is serving the beneficiary under cost reimbursement and
the beneficiary is working when the VR case is closed, the
Phase 1 milestones are not available to the EN that gets the
Ticket assignment.
• All of Phase 2 and Outcome payments are left on the table for
EN
2013 payments
Payment Type
SSI Payment Amt
SSDI Payment Amt
Total Phase 2
$4,140
$4,411
Total Outcome
$13,800
$14,436
Total potential of
Phase 2 + Outcome
$17,940
$18,857
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Examples of ongoing
employment supports
• ENs are required to provide ongoing supports after job
placement, either directly or though an arrangement with another
service provider
• Workforce ENs can offer a variety of ongoing support services to
assist beneficiaries to maintain and advance in employment after
VR places a beneficiary in employment and closes the case






Job retention services / Consultation if problems arise on the job
Benefits planning services at key points of transition
Skill building (e.g., computer skills training, certification/licensure, etc.)
Assistance and services for a career move (ladders and lattices)
Job Accommodation information and assistance
Asset Development strategies to assist beneficiaries to move towards
greater self-sufficiency
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Example of Partnership Plus case
• Jane, a woman with bi-polar disorder, is being served by the State
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency under the Cost Reimbursement
(CR) program
• VR pays for bookkeeping training and places Jane with a health food
store working part-time as a bookkeeper
• Jane works 25 hours a week, earning $8.25 an hour (approximately
$825 a month)
• VR closes Jane’s case after she is employed for 3 months
• Jane assigns her Ticket to Careers, Inc., the local Job Center
• Careers, Inc. arranges for Jane to begin night courses to become an
accountant
• The health food store increases Jane’s salary to $9.00 an hour and her
hours to 30 a week
• Jane is now earning over $1080 a month
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Example of Partnership Plus case
(continue)
• Careers, Inc. begins submitting for Phase 2 Milestone payments as
Jane continues earning above SGA ($1040 in 2013)
• Careers, Inc. continues working with Jane as she continues studying
to be an accountant
• Upon completion of her course work, the health food store moves
Jane to a full time position with a salary of $11.50 an hour (earnings
> $1840 a month)
• Careers, Inc. starts receiving outcome payments when Jane’s cash
benefits cease
• VR submits for reimbursement when Jane has worked 9 continuous
months with earnings above SGA
• Everybody Wins!
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Win-Win-Win for All
• Jane is employed and experiences emotional benefits of
working
• Jane has higher income and is in a position to build personal
assets
• Workforce Employment Network (EN) and Vocational
Rehabilitation (VR) both achieve agency’s goals –
employment for customer
• Workforce EN receiving Phase 2 and Outcome payments
• VR receives Cost Reimbursement (CR)
• Community benefits for a new wage earner contributing to tax
base
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When is a written VR/ Workforce EN
agreement required?
Only one instance requires a written agreement
• Ticket regulations state that an EN can refer a beneficiary
being served under the Ticket program to a State VR agency
for services only when the State VR agency and the EN have
a written agreement that specifies the conditions under which
services will be provided by the State VR agency (20 CFR
411.400)
 Applies only when the EN keeps Ticket assignment
 VR agencies would not be able to get cost reimbursement for
these beneficiaries
 These “referral agreements” must be in writing, signed by both
VR and the EN, and sent to MAXIMUS to keep on file
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When is a written VR/EN agreement
recommended?
Although a written agreement is not always needed, a
written agreement can be important when
• Trying to create a coordinated system of services that includes
structured referrals between VR and ENs
• Sharing information on beneficiary service needs, work history,
earnings, etc.
 Sharing personal information requires a signed “Release of
Information”
 The VR regulations allow VR agencies to treat the Ticket as a
comparable benefit (i.e., an alternative source of funding for VR
services)
• Revenue obtained through EN payments will be shared
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Factors that aid Partnership Plus
success
• Build a common vision by VR and EN with focus on customer
service - “what is the most appropriate, readily available service
for the customer?”
• Strive for a responsive state system through collaborative efforts
• Recognize the fact there are more Ticket holders than what any
one, single agency can serve
• If a beneficiary comes to the Job Center first
– assess person’s employment goal, services and supports needed to reach
that goal and determine if the Job Center is able to provide
– If needed meet as a group (VR counselor, Job Center personnel, Customer)
to identify the most appropriate available services
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VR and Workforce EN actions support
Partnership Plus
• State VR agency must be timely in electronically reporting
their cost reimbursement cases to Operations Support
Manager (MAXIMUS) to release the Ticket for assignment
• Coordinate messaging between State VR and EN
• Some State VR agencies are willing to include information about Ticket
in case closure letters
• Together State VR and EN develop Partnership Plus brochures and
both distribute
• Whenever possible State VR staff and Job Center staff co-present at
training internally or public venues
• Encourage State VR Counselors discuss Ticket program key times:
orientation, plan development, case closure
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Workforce ENs contribute to
successful Partnership Plus
• Workforce ENs need to be proactive in reaching out to Vocational
Rehabilitation (VR) agencies to work in partnership meeting the
employment support needs of beneficiaries
 Make sure State VR agency’s administrative offices are aware that your Job
Center is an approved EN that can provide job placement assistance to
beneficiaries who are being wait-listed and ongoing supports to beneficiaries
whose VR cases have been closed
 Every VR agency has a designated point of contact for cost reimbursement and
Ticket issues – Start the conversation with this person
 Consider written agreements established at the state level and then
implemented at the state and the local level. Reduces # agreements.
 Build relationship with local VR offices and conduct decision making at the
local as much as possible
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Understanding Pre and Post
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Service Options
• Beneficiary has the option to assign the Ticket after closure of VR case
• Ticket provides option for beneficiaries on order of selection wait list to
seek services from an EN rather than waiting for VR services
• EN and VR could discuss this service model and include such
information:



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In the VR letter they send to wait-listed beneficiaries
On a fact sheet about the Ticket program to wait-listed beneficiaries
On a flyer at the Job Center
In the written agreement state conditions: referral to an EN when a
beneficiary is wait-listed, release the Ticket back to VR when the VR case is
open, and refer back to the EN after the VR case is closed
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Blending Programs
• An individual can have an open case file with State
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services while also
receiving WIA intensive and training services. After the
VR closes the case, the Ticket can move to the
Workforce EN, if the individual chooses to do so.
• Why would this be done?
–
–
–
–
VR, WIA, and Ticket share same desired outcome
Increases likelihood of success rate
Both programs can take credit
Potential to reduce cost per person which allows each program
to serve more ticket holders
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Other Partnership Opportunities
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Exploring other partnerships
• The Workforce Employment Network (EN) can partner with other
agencies, such as community rehabilitation providers or
behavioral health centers or another EN
• Key components
–
–
–
–
Know what services each agency provides
Discuss how the services can compliment one another
Determine a “statement of work”
Determine value of the partnership and the terms of monetary exchange
• Fee for service based on outcome of employment?
• Shared EN revenues? What percentage?
– Have a signed written agreement and start with and option to renew for one
additional year
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Do you need examples to get
started?
• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) / Workforce Employment
Network (EN) written agreements for Partnership Plus
• Pre and Post VR Flyers to post at Job Centers
• Shared VR / EN brochures
• EN and community agency statement of work
Contact NDI’s Ticket Coordinator, Mary Lynn ReVoir and/or your
TA Liaison to obtain examples.
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Summary, Next Steps and Q&A
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Summary
In today’s presentation we covered the following:
• The State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) involvement
with Ticket to Work
• Cost Reimbursement (CR) and the Ticket Program
• What Partnership Plus is and example of how
everyone can “win”
• A successful Partnership Plus handoff
• Agreements to partner with other agencies
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Next Steps
Stay tuned to the DEI listserv for and register for the
following upcoming May and June trainings in our
continuing Ticket/EN Series:
- Workforce EN Staffing and Services
- Workforce EN Billing
- Workforce EN Marketing and Outreach
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Questions/Comments
If you have a comment or
question you can:
A: Submit it to the host in writing
via the Chat or Q&A Box to the
right, or…
B: Click on the “raise hand” icon
to have your line un-muted and
ask your question/make your
comment.
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Contact Information
Mary Lynn ReVoir
NDI Technical Assistance Team
P: (515) 975-2344
E: mlrevoir@ndi-inc.org
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