Integrated Resource Teams
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Strategic Service Delivery Component
Disability Employment Initiative
1
The following chart highlights the core elements associated with this
service delivery component and includes the names of the states that
will be implementing this approach:
New
Jersey
New
York
Alaska
Kansas
Virginia
Maine
Illinois
Arkansas
Delaware
Strategies
Identifying job seekers with multiple challenges to employment and
multiple resource needs
Outreaching and mapping resources among wide range of local
service systems (generic and disability-specific)
Facilitating the coordination and collaboration of multiple service
systems at local level for individual job seeker
Working as a team with multiple service systems to combine
resources and services for individual job seeker
Leveraging funds and resources with multiple service systems to
benefit individual job seeker
Access the following link to learn what each DEI project proposed in their statement of
work around this component: http://dei-ideas.org/chapter2-1/page2a_irt.cfm
What is the Primary Function of an Integrated
Resource Team (IRT)?

Members of an IRT will work together to identify and
strategize how their services and resources can be
coordinated to help a jobseeker with a disability reach
their employment goal.

The jobseeker will also be responsible for identifying
their role and contributions in attaining their
employment goal.
3
What is an Integrated Resource Team?

An IRT brings together public and private sector
representatives at a local One-Stop community level.

It improves communication and collaboration which
results in enhanced coordination of services and
supports for an individual jobseeker with a disability.
4
Who Might Participate in an IRT?

Since the IRT is based on the needs of the individual, the
members of the team will consist of community and partner
agencies and One-Stop programs that serve the needs of
the individual jobseeker.

Many times the members of an IRT will closely reflect the
members of an Interagency Committee, meaning an IRT
may consist of members from the Workforce Investment
system, the Mental Health system, the Vocational
Rehabilitation system, the Independent Living Center, the
Community Work Incentives Coordinator, a Supported
Employment Specialist, etc. It all depends on the needs of
the individual jobseeker.
5
What is the Role of the Disability Resource
Coordinator (DRC) Related to the IRT?

The DRC may serve as a facilitator to help build understanding
within the One-Stop Career Center system about the benefits of
the added level of service an IRT provides.

As a facilitator, a DRC may:
 Help One-Stop staff explain the benefits of utilizing the IRT
model to a jobseeker to ensure they are in agreement of
needing this level of service and information sharing.
 Work with One-Stop staff and the jobseeker to identify and
reach out to agency staff who may appropriately serve as part
of the IRT.
 Facilitate the first IRT meeting to ensure that partners and the
jobseeker are aware of the purpose of the IRT and lead the
discussion to include key purposes of the IRT like service
coordination, shared plans, communication and followthrough.
6
What is the Overall Goal the IRT Model?

The desired outcome of the IRT is to enhance crossagency collaboration and communication to better leverage
available resources in a seamless way for an individual
jobseeker with a disability. Additionally, the IRT will result in
increased enrollments in available workforce development
programs and greater knowledge of available career
options.

The overall goal of the IRT is to help the One-Stop Career
Center system and partner agencies see the benefit of
resource collaboration.

This concept may require a culture shift; be patient, it can
happen.
7
What is an Interagency Committee?



An Interagency Committee, sometimes referred
to as an Interagency Team, Disability Action
Committee, or Integrated Agency Team etc. is a
group that comes together to address barriers
present at a systemic level.
The committee typically consists of
representatives from several agencies who have
a common goal of helping persons with
disabilities.
The committee, through concentrated and
collaborative efforts, seeks to foster and facilitate
change based on the identified needs of the
disability community.
8
What is the difference between an IRT and an
Interagency Committee?

An IRT focuses on the specific needs of an Individual
Jobseeker.


An IRT may be brought together to improve services and
cross-agency communication as a support to a person with a
disability in order to obtain or maintain employment.
An Interagency Committee focuses on systems
coordination, problem-solving and collaboration for
more effective services for people with disabilities.

An Interagency Committee typically meets on a regular basis
in order to problem-solve and work together as a way to
improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
9
Does an Interagency Committee Function
Differently than an IRT?

The focus of an IRT is on an individual level, therefore
the members of the IRT will change based on the
employment services and supports needed that are
unique to the jobseeker.

An Interagency Committee focuses on systems level
change and works to identify barriers inherent in the
system to improve employment outcomes for people
with disabilities. Typically, the members of an
Interagency Committee are more constant and cover a
broader spectrum than those of an IRT.
10
Do You Need to Have an Interagency
Committee in Order to Have an IRT?

No. The most important elements to have in
order to promote the IRT model as a viable
option for a jobseeker with a disability are as
follows:

Widespread knowledge of existing resources in the
local/regional community.

Ultimately, representatives from programs and
agencies that can provide direct services and
resources will be invited.
11
Can an Interagency Committee be Beneficial to
an IRT?

An Interagency Committee can be helpful but
is not required in order to successfully
implement and execute the IRT model.

If there is an Interagency Committee already in
place, the DRC can present the concept of an
IRT to that committee who may be able to help
implement it.
12
Is the DRC a Case Manager when facilitating
an IRT?

Absolutely Not. The DRC is not expected to
spend their time managing cases. Instead, the
DRC will help facilitate connections to other
agencies through an IRT.

Other members of the IRT (not the DRC) will
most likely have a case file for the jobseeker,
thus there will be no need for the DRC to have
a case file.
13
How can a DRC introduce the model
of an IRT?

In areas where an Interagency Committee exists, the
DRC may use the Interagency Committee as a
mechanism to introduce and implement the IRT model.

In areas where an Interagency Committee does not
exist, the DRC may offer intensive training through
modeling to One-Stop staff and partners so each area
can utilize the IRT model when appropriate.
14
How Does the IRT Model Differ from the
Customized Employment Model?

The IRT is designed to engage cross-agency participation within
the One-Stop Career Center for an individual with a disability.

The Customized Employment Model involves individualizing the
relationship between a jobseeker and an employer and uses a
specific set of tools to do so.

The IRT may engage in some elements of Customized
Employment, however, the IRT Model will not use or need all of
the comprehensive tools and structured processes that the
Customized Employment Model offers.

It is understood that not all One-Stop Career Centers have the
capacity or the ability to facilitate the Customized Employment
Model.
15
How Does the IRT Model Differ From and/or
Incorporate Aspects of the Person Centered Planning
Model?

Person Centered Planning (PCP) involves much more
intensive and personalized services utilizing a specific
set of tools in order to help the jobseeker obtain and
maintain employment.

Some of the tools utilized in PCP may be utilized by
members of the IRT to help the jobseeker achieve
their desired outcome. However, the focus of the IRT
is to enhance resource coordination and collaboration
between disability and workforce agencies in order to
give the jobseeker with a disability an increased
opportunity for employment.
16
Case Scenario - Diane

Diane is Deaf and Non-Verbal

She does an intake appointment with a WIA Case Manager.

She indicates that she is interested in Dog Grooming and that she has
previously worked with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).

The DRC is asked to join the next meeting to help with suggestions and
resources that Diane may want to access.

The DRC suggests Diane reconnect with VR.

The IRT is formed and roles are assigned. The IRT includes Diane, the
WIA Case Manager, the VR Counselor and the DRC.

Diane attends a training program with accommodations, and graduates
with honors. She is referred by her training provider to a job.

The WIA Case Manager provides the needed follow-up information to each
member of the IRT.
17
Case Scenario - Jean

Jean was a TANF client and had trouble maintaining a Job.

Jean’s TANF case manager attended a training on hidden disabilities
provided by the DRC.

The TANF case manager invited the DRC to the next meeting with Jean.

An IRT was formed and roles of each member of the IRT were established.
The IRT included Jean, the TANF case manager, a VR counselor, a Mental
Health representative, an Employment Specialist and the DRC.

After three months Jean secured a full-time job with health benefits that was
in line with her career choice.

The TANF case manager followed up with all members of the IRT to report
her placement, wages, hours etc. as well as to learn about additional followup services that were available. A year after beginning her employment
Jean’s case was closed. She was receiving no benefits and had earned a
merit based raise.
18
Case Scenario - Harry

Harry is Deaf-Blind. He goes to the One-Stop, accompanied by a job coach
who relays that Harry has been looking for a job for over a year without
success. Harry requests a tactile sign language interpreter for his intake
appointment.

During the intake appointment, it is determined that Harry is eligible for
intensive services. It was also learned he was working with additional
supportive agencies.

The DRC coordinates and facilitates the first IRT meeting. The IRT includes
Harry, the Case Manager from the Commission for the Blind, a
representative from the Independent Living Center, the Tactile Sign
Language Interpreter, an Employment Specialist, Harry’s Mother and the
DRC. The IRT roles are established.

The DRC takes notes during the first meeting and emails everyone these
notes with their agreed upon tasks. The DRC periodically checkes on
Harry’s progress but does not intervene in the case unless asked for
specific help from another member of the team.

After four months, Harry successfully secures a job. The IRT meets a final
time to ensure everyone has the appropriate information regarding Harry’s
new position.
19
What are the Desired Outcomes of an IRT?

To enhance cross-agency collaboration and communication to
better leverage available resources in a seamless way for an
individual jobseeker with a disability. Additionally, the IRT will
result in increased enrollments in available workforce
development programs and greater knowledge of available career
options.

To provide increased access to four-year college education,
achievement of academic certifications, apprenticeship
opportunities and greater access to follow-up services and
supports to ensure employment retention.

To promote and secure financial independence for people with
disabilities, and increase their knowledge about benefits and
available work incentives that lead to greater empowerment and
inclusion.
20