Working for Tomorrow
March 2012
A publication of the Center for Workers with Disabilities, APHSA
FEDERAL NEWS
Senate Hearing Examines Return to Work Strategies
On March 22, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on
“Stay-at-Work and Back-to-Work Strategies: Lessons from the Private Sector.” In his opening remarks,
Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) indicated that this hearing was the latest in a series of hearings
since last March to explore issues that impact the employment of people with disabilities. Harkin noted
that the unemployment rate of people with disabilities has not decreased. One solution is to help ensure
that people with disabilities do not leave the workforce, and that other workers do not leave the labor
force if they acquire a disability or become injured. The panel of witnesses included: Thomas Watjen,
President & Chief Executive Officer, Unum Group; Karen Amato, Director, Wellwithin and Corporate
Responsibility Programs, SRA International, Inc.; Christine Walters, Sole Proprietor, FiveL Company; Eric
Buehlmann; and Kenneth Mitchell, Managing Partner, WorkRx Group, Ltd.
Thomas Watjen’s testimony stressed that few workers fully understand their risk for disability and the
potential for lost income. In regards to return to work strategies, he emphasized the value of early contact
and dialogue with disability claimants to develop a realistic return to work plan. Watjen also noted that
private disability insurance can ease the fiscal stress on publicly-financed disability programs. Karen
Amato (testifying on behalf of the Society for Human Resource Management) described several
successful strategies used by large employers. These include, for example, engaging employees early in
the return to work process; providing an on-site case manager or return to work coordinator; and offering
prevention programs that can help reduce illness and injury. Christine Walters (also testifying on behalf of
SHRM) discussed issues impacting small businesses such as a lack of human resources staff and a
complex legislative and regulatory environment. Eric Buehlmann described his personal experience with
an acquired brain injury and returning to work and law school. He noted several elements important to the
success of his return to work process: supportive family, friends, and coworkers; intensive inpatient
therapy; and a desire to return to work along with employer support to accommodate his return. Lastly,
Kenneth Mitchell described the need to think about return to work from a productivity and health
perspective. According to Mitchell, return to work approaches need to move “upstream” and become
embedded in the fabric of an employment setting to create pathways back to work.
During the question and discussion period, Committee members and panelists discussed potential
strategies to increase access to and take-up of private disability insurance. Members and panelists also
explored lessons for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. Panelists described the
need for more outreach and education to employers and employees on the value of disability insurance
and the need for assistance to small businesses. On lessons for the SSDI program, panelists noted the
“downstream” nature of the program’s application process. The SSDI application process involves a long
separation from work which may significantly hinder any return to work. While private disability insurance
focuses on returning employees to work, SSDI does not have a similar return to work focus. The
experience of private disability insurance suggests that early engagement with claimants and the
opportunity for individualized return to work plans are key strategies that are not necessarily mirrored by
the SSDI program. To read panelists’ testimony and view the hearing, visit
http://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=15e2384e-5056-9502-5dae-0e592cbdcf17.
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CMS Issues Final Rule on Medicaid Eligibility Changes under ACA
On March 16, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued final regulations
implementing provisions of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) that relate to eligibility and enrollment
for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Several provisions of the final rule are
being issued as interim final with an opportunity for comment. The rule finalizes a proposed rule published
on August 17, 2011, and codifies policy and procedural changes to Medicaid and CHIP related to
eligibility, enrollment, renewals, public availability of program information, and coordination across
insurance affordability programs. The rule retains many of the provisions included in the proposed rule
that are intended to simplify eligibility and enrollment, expand access to coverage, and help create a
coordinated system of coverage across insurance affordability programs. At the same time, there are
several major changes from the proposed rule to the final rule. There are also areas where CMS indicates
that additional guidance and rulemaking will be forthcoming.
Major changes include provisions regarding eligibility for people with disabilities and those needing longterm care. The final rule provides that individuals who meet the eligibility requirements for coverage
based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) standards may still be determined eligible for optional
Medicaid eligibility groups based on disability or long-term care needs. Another significant change allows
Medicaid agencies to delegate eligibility determinations to nongovernmental Insurance Exchanges for
MAGI populations, and strengthens safeguards that must be in place when eligibility is delegated to
public or private entities. Of significance to human service agencies, the final rule clarifies that states are
permitted to develop alternative multi-benefit applications, and notes that CMS looks forward to working
with states interested in developing streamlined multi-benefit applications. In regards to eligibility
verification, the final rule provides that states will develop verification plans that describe verification
policies and procedures. For additional information on changes in the final rule, see CMS’ summary at
http://www.medicaid.gov/AffordableCareAct/Provisions/Downloads/Medicaid-Eligibility-and-EnrollmentFinal-Rule-Section-by-Section-Summary.pdf.
As noted above, the final rule identifies areas where guidance will be issued. For example, CMS will
provide detailed guidance on the treatment of all types of income under MAGI-based methodologies. The
Secretary of Health and Human Services will provide additional guidance on timeliness and performance
standards for eligibility determinations. Additionally, the provisions in the proposed rule regarding Federal
medical assistance percentages (FMAP) for newly eligible individuals and expansion states have been
removed from the final rule and will be addressed in future rulemaking. The final rule also identifies
several areas where states may be able to use an existing demonstration authority such as 1115 waiver
authority to test approaches. For example, as noted in the rule, a state could seek to convert standards
for MAGI-excepted groups to MAGI-based methods through a demonstration under section 1115.
These final regulations are effective on January 1, 2014. Certain provisions of the rule are issued on an
interim final basis with comments due no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on May 7, 2012. These
provisions include certain sections of the rule relating to: safeguarding information on applicants and
beneficiaries; timeliness and performance standards for Medicaid; coordinated eligibility and enrollment
among insurance affordability programs; timeliness standards for CHIP; and coordinated eligibility and
enrollment among CHIP and other insurance affordability programs. The final rule, published in the
Federal Register on March 23, 2012, is available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-0323/html/2012-6560.htm. Additionally, CMS will host a series of webinars beginning on March 22 on topics
covered in the regulation. For more information, visit
http://www.medicaid.gov/AffordableCareAct/Provisions/Eligibility.html.
GAO Releases Annual Report on Duplication among Federal Programs
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released its second annual report on duplication among
federal programs, agencies, offices, and initiatives. This work is intended to inform policymakers of
opportunities to reduce potential government duplication, achieve cost savings, or enhance revenue. The
2012 report presents 51 areas where programs may be able to achieve greater efficiencies or become
more effective in providing government services. Employment for people with disabilities is among the
areas reviewed. GAO identified 50 programs that, in fiscal year 2010, supported employment for people
with disabilities and found that these programs were fragmented and often provided similar services to
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similar populations. More than half (30) of these programs served only people with disabilities, while the
other programs served a broader population but provided special consideration or gave priority in service
to people with disabilities or their employers. GAO found that overlap was the greatest in programs
serving two distinct population groups—veterans and service members; and students and young adults.
GAO also found that some overlapping programs have meaningful differences in their specific eligibility
criteria or program design that could reduce their potential for duplication. GAO recommends that the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) consider establishing measurable, government-wide goals for
employment of people with disabilities; and continue to work with executive agencies that administer
overlapping programs to determine whether program consolidation might result in administrative savings
and more effective and efficient delivery of services.
In responding to GAO’s findings and recommendations, OMB noted that, in fiscal year 2012, the
Administration’s Domestic Policy Council will conduct an internal review of ways to improve the
effectiveness of disability programs through better coordination and alignment of priorities and strategies.
The Social Security Administration and the Departments of Labor, Agriculture, and Health and Human
Services provided a variety of comments to GAO. The agencies highlighted, for example, the unique
characteristics of their programs with respect to services, program design, and populations served. To
review all findings, recommendations, and comments, see 2012 Annual Report: Opportunities to Reduce
Duplication, Overlap and Fragmentation, Achieve Savings, and Enhance Revenue at
http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/588818.pdf. Additionally, the report notes that GAO plans to issue a more
detailed report on fragmentation, overlap, and the potential for duplication among programs that support
employment for people with disabilities in 2012.
CDC Unveils Online Disability and Health Data System
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has introduced an online interactive system – the
Disability and Health Data System (DHDS) - that helps translate state-level, disability-specific data into
information that can be used by state health departments, national disability and health organizations,
policymakers, researchers, educators, and others. DHDS allows users to stratify and compare over 70
different health measures using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 2004-2010. DHDS
features three types of data: disability, psychological distress, and disability-associated health care
expenditures. The system enables users to display data through four interactive components: map, trend
line, bar chart, and data table. DHDS also allows users to compare health indicators for people with and
without disabilities to be able to identify disparities in health indicators such as smoking status or in
interventions such as mammograms. To access DHDS, visit http://dhds.cdc.gov/.
AROUND THE STATES
New Hampshire Receives First BIP Grant Award
In March, New Hampshire became the first state to receive new Medicaid grant funds under the
Balancing Incentive Program (BIP). This rebalancing program is authorized under section 10202 of the
Affordable Care Act and offers enhanced federal matching dollars to support states in further developing
community-based services and supports for people who need long-term supports and services (LTSS).
To participate in BIP, a state must have spent less than 50 percent of total Medicaid medical assistance
expenditures on non-institutionally based long-term care for fiscal year 2009. Under the program, states
must implement several structural changes to their long-term care systems including a no wrong
door/single entry point system, conflict-free case management services, and a core standardized
assessment instrument. The New Hampshire Balancing Incentive Program, in partnership with community
organizations throughout the state, plans to further develop the systems of community-based care that
serve individuals with behavioral health needs, physical and/or intellectual disabilities. The goal of New
Hampshire’s program is to increase the percentage of expenditures for LTSS that are provided in
community settings to equal or exceed the expenditures for facility-based LTSS. New Hampshire’s grant,
$26.5 million over three years, runs from April 1, 2012 through September 30, 2015. For additional
information on New Hampshire’s award, see
http://www.cms.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=4296. For more information on BIP, visit
http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Long-Term-Services-andSupport/Balancing/Balancing-Long-Term-Services-and-Supports.html.
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NEW PUBLICATIONS AND MATERIALS
Report Provides Framework for Accessible Technology in the Workplace
A report funded by the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy – Framework for
Designing and Implementing Accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Strategic
Plans – has been released. The report notes that as technology continues to transform the workplace,
demand is growing for the development, purchase, maintenance and use of information and
communication technology (ICT) that is accessible to and usable by customers and employees, including
individuals with disabilities. Additionally, ICT has become a major gateway to employment, primarily
because recruiting and hiring systems are often Web based. The report provides a framework that can be
used to develop technical assistance tools to help employers (including government contractors) design,
purchase, lease, maintain and use ICT that is accessible to and usable by people with disabilities and
others. This framework can be used as a tool for self-assessment to make comparisons with current
strategies and practices. In addition, the framework can help a company develop a corporate-wide,
comprehensive strategic plan for adopting and implementing accessible ICT policies, practices and
procedures for assessing progress made over time and ensuring continuous improvement. Further, the
framework can be used as a tool for internal staff development and training. In addition to the framework,
the paper also includes a comprehensive Benchmarking Tool which companies could use to conduct a
self-assessment and create their own corporate-wide, comprehensive strategic plan. The report is
available at http://www.dol.gov/odep/pdf/20120224FDIA-ICT-StrategicPlans.pdf.
AgrAbility Summarizes Project’s 20 Year History
The National AgrAbility Project recently completed a summary of AgrAbility's 20-year history. AgrAbility is
a USDA- sponsored program that assists farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with
disabilities. This initiative consists of one national project and 23 state and regional projects covering 25
states. AgrAbility partners land-grant university Extension programs with nonprofit disability organizations
to serve program participants. The summary report of the program’s 20-year history highlights AgrAbility’s
impacts through direct services, collaborative relationships, and education and research. The report
captures impacts such as assisting clients to continue to engage in farm and ranch activities after the
onset of disability and helping increase clients’ abilities to manage their farm or ranch, complete chores,
operate machinery, access workspaces, and modify machinery. The report also presents the project’s
broader community impacts. For example, indicators of systems change through the project’s efforts
include greater utilization of vocational rehabilitation services by farmers and ranchers. AgrAbility has also
developed tools and resources on many topics related to disability in agriculture. The report, AgrAbility:
Cultivating Success in Agriculture, Employment, and Rural Life for People with Disabilities, 1991-2011
and Beyond, is available at http://www.agrability.org/Documents/AgrAbility_20_YR_WEB.pdf.
Survey Explores Disclosure, Leave, and Job Applicant Screening
In 2011, Cornell University’s Employment and Disability Institute and the American Association of People
with Disabilities (AAPD) collaborated on the development and implementation of a survey on current
issues around the employment of people with disabilities. This research was funded by the U.S.
Department of Education National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research for Cornell’s
Employment Policy for People with Disabilities Rehabilitation Research and Training Center. Three
primary issues were addressed in the survey: disability disclosure, leave as a reasonable
accommodation, and the use of job applicant screeners. The survey was distributed primarily through the
networks of AAPD and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). A
total of 780 participants completed the survey, and an additional 101 participants completed some portion
of the survey. Findings from the survey are presented in a report titled Emerging Employment Issues for
People with Disabilities: Disability Disclosure, Leave as a Reasonable Accommodation, and Use of Job
Applicant Screeners. Findings from the survey include the following:
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Disability Disclosure. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of factors that might
motivate them to disclose that they have a disability and factors that may be barriers to
disclosure. About two-thirds of the respondents with disabilities rated the need for
accommodation and supportive supervisor relationships being very important. However, the
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context of the workplace was also important, with high ratings for having a disability friendly
workplace and knowing that the employer was actively recruiting people with disabilities.
Similarly, respondents rated factors in the decision to not disclose; nearly three quarters of people
with a disability viewed risks of being fired/not hired as being very important. Other factors most
frequently rated as very important were: employer may focus on disability (not ability), fear of
limited opportunities, and risk of losing healthcare.
Workplace Leave. The survey included a series of questions that delved into requesting leave
because of a medical condition or disability. Overall, 41.9 percent reported requesting leave. In
thinking about their most recent request for leave, most respondents (56.9 percent) requested a
block of leave as opposed to intermittent leave; most reported that the leave was granted (88.7
percent). Of the 37 respondents who said their leave was not granted, just more than half (51.4
percent) felt the denial was due to employers’ inflexible leave policy. Among those who had
returned from leave, 57 percent reported a positive experience returning from leave, 17 percent
reported a negative experience, and 26 percent reported a neutral experience.
Job Applicant Screening. The survey gathered information on criminal background checks, credit
checks, and screening for current employment. More than one quarter of respondents believe
that people with disabilities are likely to be screened out because of criminal background checks.
Half of respondents felt that people with disabilities were more likely to be screened out in the
application/hiring process because they may be unemployed at the time of application.
Respondents also noted that individuals with disabilities often have bad or no credit because of
high medical costs, low incomes, periods of unemployment and disability-related financial issues.
In conclusion, the authors note that disclosure-related issues appeared in all three section of the survey.
Respondents discussed the sometimes complex decision of whether to disclose, the barriers and the
rewards for such disclosure. The authors suggest that the findings have significant implications for
national employment and disability policy at a time when federal policy makers are exploring increased
enforcement of affirmative action and disability reporting requirements for federal contractors. The full
report, which includes a copy of the online survey, is available at
http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1288&context=edicollect.
Forum Examines Research on Individual Characteristics and Employment Outcomes
A March 15 forum hosted by the Center for Studying Disability Policy at Mathematica Policy Research
focused on the Individual-Level Characteristics Rehabilitation and Research Training Center (IC-RRTC).
Panelists included John O'Neill, Professor, Hunter College; Lucie Schmidt, Associate Professor, Williams
College; Purvi Sevak, Associate Professor, Hunter College; and Frank Martin, Researcher, Mathematica.
The individual-level characteristics research suggests that variation in employment outcomes among
people with disabilities provides an opportunity to learn about factors that influence employment
outcomes. The panelists described the phases of this research, which include a literature review,
knowledge development by analyzing existing research, and creation of new knowledge by conducting a
national survey. Three hypotheses shape the research:
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Employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities vary with the individual’s health conditions,
holding personal and environmental characteristics constant;
Employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities vary with the individual’s demographic
characteristics, human capital, and social capital, holding health conditions and characteristics of
the environment constant; and
Employment outcomes for individuals vary with the characteristics of the local environment,
holding the individual’s health conditions and personal characteristics constant.
Through the literature review, the researchers identified 321 quantitative studies that focused on the
relationship between health conditions, individual characteristics, or environmental characteristics and the
employment outcomes of people with disabilities. The panelists focused on the findings of the literature
review by hypothesis. For details of the findings, see the slide presentation at
http://www.disabilitypolicyresearch.org/Forums/20120315/combined.pdf. Frank Martin responded to the
presentation. He noted that fiscal pressures on the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program
heighten the need for research findings that can inform policy. He raised concerns about tightening entry
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onto SSDI and suggested the need to address disincentives to working above the level of Substantial
Gainful Activity. He also noted the need for qualitative input into research on employment of people with
disabilities through consumer input. During the question and answer period, the panelists indicated that
the third phase of the research will involve the design and fielding of a national disability and employment
survey.
Brief Describes New Indicator of Employment Among Disability Beneficiaries
Summarizing a longer report, an Issue Brief from Mathematica Policy Research discusses a newly
developed indicator to determine how many beneficiaries receiving Social Security Disability Insurance
(DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) forgo cash benefits because of work. According to the
authors, Social Security Administration (SSA) statistics do not paint a complete picture of the number of
disability beneficiaries who forgo cash benefits for work because they exclude beneficiaries who have
worked for a long time and are therefore no longer formally connected to SSA programs. In response,
SSA and Mathematica Policy Research developed an indicator for “nonpayment status following
suspension or termination for work” (NSTW), based on a complex set of SSA administrative data. This
indicator captures all months that beneficiaries have given up cash benefits specifically because of work,
even if they have not received benefits in years. Using the indicator, the researchers produced statistics
on the beneficiaries in each year from 2002 through 2006 who had at least one month without cash
benefits because of work and determined the amount of time these individuals remained in NSTW.
Statistics using the NSTW indicator show that considerably more beneficiaries are forgoing cash benefits
because of work than those reported in SSA’s annual reports. For example, SSA’s published statistics
show that fewer than one in 100 beneficiaries in each program have their benefits suspended for work in
a typical month. However, using the NSTW indicator, statistics reveal that, during a typical month in 2006,
about 2.5 beneficiaries were off cash benefits (with benefits either suspended or terminated) because of
work for every 100 receiving a benefit payment. Statistics also show that fewer SSI beneficiaries than DI
beneficiaries were in NSTW, which reflects the smaller number of beneficiaries in SSI as well as certain
differences between SSI and DI program rules. Additionally, many of those who forgo cash benefits
because of work remain in that status for a long period. Among those observed for 48 months after their
first NSTW month, the researchers found that the average beneficiary went without cash benefits for 20 of
those months. For more information and findings, including findings for Ticket to Work program
participants, see the brief – How Many Disability Beneficiaries Forgo Cash Benefits Because of Work?
Evidence from a New Measure – at http://www.mathematicampr.com/publications/PDFs/disability/LDW_IB.pdf?spMailingID=3845823&spUserID=MTU0MDAwNjg2N
QS2&spJobID=39335880&spReportId=MzkzMzU4ODAS1.
Data Note Presents VR Outcome Trends for Individuals with ID
A new Data Note from the Institute for Community Inclusion explores trends in Vocational Rehabilitation
(VR) closure status for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). Drawing on Rehabilitation Services
Administration data, the authors find that, from fiscal year 2002 through fiscal year 2010, employment
outcomes as a percentage of all VR closures for individuals with ID decreased (from 42.5 percent of
closures in 2002 to 31.7 percent of closures in 2010). Much of the decline occurred between 2008 and
2010, concurrently with the general economic recession. Yet the authors suggest that the recession is not
solely responsible for the decline in employment outcomes. There are other factors that also contribute to
the trend. The authors note, for example, an increase in VR closures prior to completion of Individualized
Plans for Employment (IPEs). The authors recommend that VR agencies should focus their efforts on
strategies within their control that can increase employment outcomes, which may include exploring ways
to ensure more eligible consumers develop and implement an IPE. The Data Note, VR Outcome Trends
and the Recent Decline in Employment for VR Customers with Intellectual Disabilities, is available at
http://statedata.info/datanotes/datanote.php?article_id=335.
NCD Assesses Impact of Managed Care
The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released Analysis and Recommendations for the
Implementation of Managed Care in Medicaid and Medicare Programs for People with Disabilities.
Recognizing the rapid acceleration of state proposals to adopt managed care for acute care and longterm supports and services, NCD assessed of the impact of managed care on people with disabilities to
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identify the opportunities and strengths to build on as well as the risks that should be mitigated in
pursuing managed care as a component of health care reform. In its assessment, NCD examined topics
such as state managerial capacity; health, safety, and quality; performance measurement; determination
of cost-effectiveness; institutional service carve-outs; program goals; and collaboration among public
partners. Among the many issues raised in the assessment, NCD notes, for example, that with respect to
people with life-long disabilities who will need long-term services, it is important to think in the long term
when determining whether services are cost effective. Cost savings in long-term services and supports
may be realized outside the life cycle of a managed care contract. Upfront investment in employment
services may not result in more independence during the contract period but can significantly reduce the
need for public resources for many decades into the future. NCD raises concerns that the expected
benefits of state managed care proposals are limited to "reducing costs" and "coordinating care."
Whereas for people with disabilities, important outcomes might also include a better quality of life, control
over their services and supports, full participation in community life, and employment options for working
age adults. NCD also raises concerns regarding state managed long-term supports and services
proposals that carve institutional services out of the managed care program which could make it difficult
for states to lower costs by substituting equally effective but less expensive community services for
institutional care. NCD offers a set of recommendations intended to address the needs of people with
disabilities in a managed care environment. The report is available at
http://www.ncd.gov/publications/2012/CMSFebruary272012/.
MPR Reports on MPF Post-Institutional Services
A new report by Mathematica Policy Research looks at use and costs of community services and
supports by Money Follows the Person (MFP) participants. The report uses aggregate data from annual
financial reports and service claims records submitted by the MFP grantees to examine the costs and
types of community-based services MFP participants receive during the first year after the transition to
community living. Key findings include the following:
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The annual per-person Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) costs of MFP participants
are nearly $40,000 during the first year of community living, ranging from $20,000 for the elderly
to $75,000 for those with intellectual disabilities. Since MFP participants receive transition
services, as well as additional HCBS during the early months of community living, MFP
participants appear to incur more Medicaid expenditures for HCBS than other Medicaid
beneficiaries who use such services and supports under Medicaid HCBS waiver programs.
However, MFP participants’ HCBS costs remain below those of institutional-based care.
Across all targeted populations, monthly HCBS costs incurred during the first 30 days after the
initial transition to the community are anywhere from 20 percent higher to more than double those
in subsequent months. Given that MFP targets institutional residents who have resided in
institutional care for three months or longer, many participants might need extra services to make
the transition and to adjust to community living.
Two categories of service dominate the HCBS expenditures of MFP participants: (1) home-based
care, which includes personal assistance services, accounts for 44 percent of expenditures; and
(2) round-the-clock residential services, such as 24-hour attendant care provided in group homes,
account for 25 percent. After home-based care and round-the-clock services, the most commonly
provided service categories include coordination and management, equipment and modifications,
day services, nursing, and caregiver support.
The report includes a table of categories and subcategories of HCBS provided to MFP participants
through 2010. To access the report, visit http://www.mathematicampr.com/publications/PDFs/health/mfpfieldrpt9.pdf.
AVAILABLE GRANTS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
FTA Announces Grant Opportunity for Veterans Transportation Initiative
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the second round of funding for the Veterans
Transportation and Community Living Initiative. The anticipated $25 million grant opportunity will fund
state and local governmental agencies for the capital costs of creating, expanding, or increasing access
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to local one call/one click transportation resource centers. In addition, grant funding can be used for some
research costs to demonstrate implementation of the projects. The one call/one click centers simplify
access to transportation by providing one place to connect veterans, service members, military families,
persons with disabilities, and other transportation disadvantaged populations to transportation options by
an array of transportation providers and programs provided in their locality. The Federal Register notice
describes the priorities of transportation service coordination and simplified customer access, the criteria
used to identify projects for funding, and how to apply. Proposals are due April 19, 2012. The notice of
funding availability and further information on the grant opportunity can be accessed at
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-07/pdf/2012-2755.pdf.
DOL Accepting Applications for Workforce Data Quality Initiative
The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has announced the availability
of approximately $12.1 million for grants to State Workforce Agencies (SWA) under the Workforce Data
Quality Initiative (WDQI). Grant funds will provide SWAs the opportunity to develop and use state
workforce longitudinal administrative data systems. These state longitudinal data systems will, at a
minimum, include information on programs that provide training, employment services, and
unemployment insurance; connect with education data contained in Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems
(SLDS) databases; and be linked longitudinally at the individual level to allow for evaluation of federally
and state supported education programs and for better information for customers and stakeholders of the
workforce system. In addition to data from programs such as Workforce Investment Act Title I programs,
state applicants are encouraged to include data from other workforce and education programs such as
Vocational Rehabilitation and Adult Education. The solicitation requires partnerships with state education
agencies but also encourages partnerships with other state agencies like Vocational Rehabilitation. In
states where workforce longitudinal systems do not exist or are in early development, WDQI grant
assistance may be used to design and develop workforce data systems that are longitudinal and which
are designed to link with relevant education data systems. WDQI grant assistance may also be used to
enhance and more effectively use existing state longitudinal systems. As noted in the solicitation, the
WDQI grants will be made in support of a parallel and larger effort, the SLDS grants through the
Department of Education.
ETA expects to award approximately twelve grants of up to $1 million each for a 36 month period of
performance. Eligible applicants for this solicitation are those SWAs within the 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that were not recipients of a round one WDQI grant
(states ineligible for this round of funding include: Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia). The
closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is April 19, 2012. The solicitation is
available at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/wdqi_sga_dfa_py_11_01.pdf.
DOL Announces Availability for Funds for YouthBuild Grants
The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has announced the availability
of approximately $75 million in funds for YouthBuild grants. YouthBuild is a youth and community
development program that seeks to address several core issues facing low-income communities:
affordable housing, education, employment, crime prevention, and leadership development. The
YouthBuild model blends education that leads to the achievement of a high school diploma or passing the
General Education Development (GED) test and occupational skills training that prepares youth for
careers. The learning component is an alternative education program that assists youth who may be
significantly behind in basic skills to obtain a high school diploma or GED credential. YouthBuild focuses
on construction skills training but programs may also provide occupational skills training in industries
other than construction provided that the training is for in-demand industries and allows for the attainment
of one or more industry-recognized credentials. YouthBuild targets youth who have dropped out of school
and who may also be youth in foster care or aging out of foster care, youth with disabilities, youth
offenders, migrant youth, and other at-risk youth populations.
ETA intends to fund approximately 75 grants ranging from $700,000 up to $1.1 million each for a period
of performance of three years and four months from the effective date of the grant. Eligible applicants
include public or private non-profit agencies or organizations such as entities carrying out activities under
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the Workforce Investment Act and entities eligible to provide education or employment training under a
federal program. The closing date for receipt of applications is May 8, 2012. To view the full solicitation,
visit http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/youthbuild_sga_dfa_py_11_06.pdf. Interested parties are also
encouraged to view the YouthBuild final rule published on February 15, 2012. This final rule implements
the YouthBuild Transfer Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-281), which moved YouthBuild from the Department of
Housing and Urban Development to DOL, and sets the standards under which YouthBuild program
providers carry out the goals of the program. The final rule is available at
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/15/2012-2373/youthbuild-program.
CONFERENCE AND EVENT CALENDAR
Community Transportation Association Expo
May 20-25, 2012
The Hilton Baltimore
Baltimore, MD
For more information, visit http://web1.ctaa.org/webmodules/webarticles//anmviewer.asp?a=2851&z=109.
2012 National Transition Conference
College and Careers for Youth with Disabilities
Sponsored by the US Department of Education
May 30–June 1, 2012
Washington Marriott Wardman Park
Washington, DC
For more information, visit http://www.transition2012.org/
2012 Annual Conference on Independent Living
National Council on Independent Living
June 11-14, 2012
Grand Hyatt
Washington, DC
For more information, visit http://www.ncil.org/conference/conference2012.html
APSE 2012 National Conference
June 27-29, 2012
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
For more information, visit http://www.apse.org/training/lead.cfm.
2012 US Business Leadership Network Annual Conference & Expo
Disability Inclusion Driving Success in a Competitive Business Environment
October 1-4, 2012
Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld by Marriott
Orlando, FL
For more information, visit http://www.usblnannualconference.org/.
2012 TASH Conference
So Many Answers Left Unquestioned
November 28-December 1, 2012
Long Beach, CA
For more information, visit http://tash.org/conferences-events/2012-tash-conference/.
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