The Work to Include Coalition is planning our second Employment First Summit on May 25-27, 2021 from 1:30 to 4:30 pm daily. The primary audience for the WTI Employment First Summit is individuals with disabilities, families, employment service providers, advocates/advocacy organization members, legislators, state agency personnel, and educators. All Coalition members are invited to attend.- On May 25 (Day 1) we will hear updates on Employment First in Indiana from state agency leaders. Our own Lieutenant Governor, Suzanne Crouch will provide an overview of Indiana's efforts toward disability-inclusive hiring. Bob Lawhead, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, will provide an example of how Colorado has put their money where their plan is and how that is working. Julie Christensen, the Interim Executive Director of APSE will tell us about how the Biden Administration is approaching Employment First and pending federal legislation.
- On May 26 (Day 2) we will hear from individuals with disabilities, community agency leaders, and the state of Vermont on why services need to change and how to do that. We will discuss this with WTI Team Leaders, Kelli Mitchel of SIRS, and three representatives from the Vermont state government: Bryan Dague, University of Vermont, Jennie Masterson, Vermont DD Agency, and James Smith, VRS.
- On May 27 (Day 3) the participants will learn about Medicaid Buy-In and how Benefit Counseling can be provided to those receiving Medicaid Waiver Services. In addition to representatives from Indiana Medicaid. We will hear from two experts on Medicaid Buy-In across the country, Beth Waldman and Annette Shea. Additionally, Acacia McGuire Anderson, Oregon Department of Health, will tell us how Oregon is working to provide benefit counseling to those receiving Waiver services in that state.
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One of the biggest concerns individuals with disabilities and families have about going or returning to work is how it will impact the safety net of support they have worked hard to put in place. Jeopardizing health care, Social Security or Supplemental Security Income is a huge issue for those who need those services to be successful on the job. At this year’s Summit, we will highlight how state policies can be changed to make this less concerning and to help Hoosiers with disabilities be more aware of work incentives available to them. We will highlight programs in Oregon to provide benefit counseling under the Medicaid Waiver, as a service. Additionally, we will look at how other states have set up Medicaid Buy In to expand its availability to workers with disability. Join us to design next steps for Indiana.
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