ࡱ> lnm @ @bjbjFF "r,,8    ,L$:$<$<$<$<$<$<$%R'<$<$Q$.:$:$V!@N" z K^! "Tg$0$!x(j(N"(N"|h.l<$<$$   Sustainability Scenarios for Navigators in Iowa - Position Focus A fanciful perspective by the Program Coordinator after 3 years of implementation in Iowa By Doug Keast 12/9/06 On behalf of Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Iowa Department for the Blind, Iowa Department of Human Services, Iowa Governors Developmental Disabilities Council, Iowa Division of Persons with Disabilities and Iowa Department of Education No one disputes the value added to customer service for job seekers with disabilities by creating a seamless employment service system which provides easy access to all workforce service products. No one disputes that the complexity of funding streams and the narrow focuses of each separate service has created a system in which the job seeker with a disability does have to be more savvy than any other job seeking customer to access the services that will be beneficial to them. No one disputes that, with the exception of the navigators in Iowa, all other employment service staff, have as their primary focus, performance measures of their own program. Even when emphasis is written into a job description on collaborative operation with other agencies, the priority is so low as to have no impact on customer service. Program performance measures evaluate only those outcomes for the people the program touches, rather than impact on the entire community of people eligible for program services. How will we support this complicated employment service system to make sense to our job seekers with disabilities without someone serving in the role of a navigator or even an air traffic controller? Do we believe our workforce advisors, rehabilitation counselors, case managers, PJ Specialists, WIA specialists and educators are going to effectively bridge all of these services for job seekers with disabilities? When we look back on everything state agencies have done in collaboration to improve the impact of our aggregate employment services for job seekers with disabilities and for that matter, for any job seeker one can argue that nothing reflects One-Stop in customer service more effectively than the navigator position. We are currently surveying state agency partners, local agency partners and board members regarding the value added by activities in which navigators have initiated and participated. This evaluation focuses on navigator functions rather than positions. At this same time, I will try to outline several scenarios below which do look at how positions may be sustained. It has never been the intent of the 7 state agency collaboration that navigators would be created and function as the only tool to improve employment services for job seekers with disabilities. We still recognize that the employment services available in Iowa are valuable services and effective for the people they serve. We continue to explore how additional tools can help create stronger overall customer service for the job seekers with disabilities. Through various initiatives and lessons learned, we are: Enhancing the capacity of the One-Stop employment services system to address the needs of TANF participants with disabilities through the establishment of disability specialists in Iowas PROMISE JOBS program. Developing stronger tools and models of transitioning youth with disabilities into employment through the development of practices in community based resource mapping and development of business partnership proto-types. Integrating the role of SSA benefits planning services into the one-stop network, as the grantee for the Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. This new approach will focus on the statewide development of benefits liaisons who will be trained and supported by the Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs) during 2007. Strengthening the states response to the Ticket to Work program through the application of two of Iowas 16 workforce regions to become Employment Networks (ENs). Developing a stronger collaborative business development approach. The 7 state agency collaboration is putting the final touches on the Employer Disability Resource Network that will be vehicle through which they will support businesses in employing people with disabilities. Articulating our collaborative enthusiasm and support to local offices across agencies in sharing customers, resources and information through a Memorandum of Agreement, and evaluating impact through two regional workforce site visits each year. All of these things capture the Governance Groups imagination and interest in sustaining navigator functions. With that said, if it becomes recognized that it would be beneficial to maintain navigators throughout Iowas One-Stop employment centers, it is important to consider these possible scenarios. Should there be no continued federal funding from DOL and SSA, and should the State of Iowa be unable to find funding to continue the navigator program, these are possibilities, being tested or pursued at this time. Currently, we are halfway through the 4th, and maybe the final, year of federal funding for the navigator program in Iowa. The funding contract is for 16 full time navigator positions. We had 16 positions in June of 2006, and the number has dropped to 10. Some have left for other positions in their workforce center system, 2 have become CWICs in the WIPA grant, and others have left for personal reasons. If a solution to sustainability hasnt presented itself in regard to positions, there remains a strong case for no cost continuation of navigator positions beyond July 1, 2007 for a period of some months if open positions are not filled. Possibility of Continued Federal Funding: This is uncertain, and wont be known until late winter. If there is additional funding for navigator positions beginning in July, I dont anticipate that it will be at the levels we have enjoyed in Iowa these 4 years. It is more likely, if continued funding becomes available, it may be enough to support between 4 and 10 navigators. Department of Labor has expected states with whom theyve invested initially to start demonstrating that they are picking up the ball. With the accomplishments noted above, you can see where the state of Iowa is picking up the ball. Still, we lack a system wide emphasis for customers without the navigator position as designed. There are three possible ways to approach a navigator continuation, with a reduced level of funding. 1. Shared Region Approach Currently, with openings that have come up, two Iowa regions have come to terms in agreeing to share a navigator. Regions 5 (Fort Dodge) and 12 (Sioux City) are sharing a navigator who is currently based out of Fort Dodge. The Workforce Partners in Region 14 (Creston) have approached the Region 13 (Council Bluffs) Partners about sharing a navigator, and Region 15 (Ottumwa) has approached Region 10 (Cedar Rapids). Currently, Regions 2 (Mason City) and 6 (Marshalltown) are without navigators and evaluating their situation. If this approach should appear to work, this could be the model through which Regional Boards and employment service systems could continue to operate with a navigator. The navigator would continue to seek direction from Boards and Partner groups with support from a Lead Navigator, and support to Boards from a Program Coordinator representing the 7 state agency collaboration implementing the program. The positions could be established as state level positions supervised directly by the program coordinator, or employed through one of the Regional Boards, through contract, and supervised by that boards fiscal agent. The decision on this will need to be made by the 7 state agency collaboration. 2. Zone Approach This would be much more advisable if the number of navigators were to fall below 8. In this case, Navigators would be set up as state positions, but located in One-Stop centers throughout the state, with an emphasis on supporting multiple regions. 3. Competitive Distribution It is evidenced in interviews and surveys from different regions, that some regions receive benefit from a navigator and some dont, while all have had an opportunity. It is also clear, that some regions will make full use of the navigator position and not experience as much benefit from sharing a position. In this scenario, once the amount of funds are established that will make navigators available beginning July 1, 2007, we can determine how many positions can be supported. Regional Boards can then be invited to apply competitively to have funding for a navigator. If the state partnership wished, funding could be reserved for a position to provide statewide coverage, for those regions who did not receive a contract to have a navigator. In this scenario, the navigators would be locally directed positions, and still supported by a Lead Navigator and reviewed by the Program Coordinator. Supported Locally through Income as an Employment Network Granted, this is a leap of faith and one that could take an investment of a few years to demonstrate success, as well as the establishment of the new Ticket to Work regulations as they are set to be published, hopefully in 2007. However, if there were an opportunity through a potential Social Security demonstration grant, or other grant opportunity, combined with the use of no-cost carry over navigator dollars committed entirely to regions committed to serving as an EN this is a strategy to consider. Even if no other funds were identified for the navigator program for next year by March 1, the Governance Group could release a notice ending the navigator program effective June 30, 2007, and then provide regions that have become Employment Networks the opportunity to split the carryover dollars, (to support a navigator only, however) to support and facilitate the regions success as an Employment Network. These funds would be contracted directly to Regions. Established as a Statewide Network within One-Stop Systems to support statewide disability employment initiatives One example for future consideration is the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant. There will be an effort this summer to make an application to CMS to receive funds directed at systems change that will result in improved inclusion of people with disabilities in the Labor Market of their communities. This is the same mission that the 7 state agency collaboration operates under. Would it benefit this type of initiative to have a statewide network of individuals who are readily able to facilitate stakeholder meetings, forums for community or business education, identify available resources for community residents with disabilities, and connect individuals with folks that can help problem solve with a variety of benefits issues and questions? A network of 6 navigators working statewide could provide this service for this initiative. If it were possible, a no-cost extension of this years navigator grant could support the existing program until a MIG application could be implemented. The outcomes desired by a MIG on this level will be in terms of people getting jobs. The groundwork the state collaboration has completed through the navigator program could play a significant role in the successful implementation of a MIG in Iowa. In a case such as this, the state partnership would establish these as state positions, and still locate them in Iowa One-Stop offices. Other potential funding sources Who knows? I put this down, because we dont know what else may happen between now and June 30. Maybe the new Governor of Iowa will create a state budget that will continue to make navigators available in Iowa One-Stop Workforce Centers Maybe IWD would choose to utilize the 15% state set aside to continue to make the navigators available. Perhaps one of the other 7 state agency partners would identify a funding source that would continue this initiative for the mutual benefit of all state agencies in customer service! Should this happen, depending upon what is learned through the other sustainability strategies, this could be integrated into the mix and the final implementation plan would be developed by this same state agency partner team reviewing this report. Since we are looking down several avenues at the same time, it is likely that there will be several options that could combine to improve overall customer service and enhance our joint interests in including people with disabilities in employment. For instance, with limited federal funding, and network of 6 navigators could be engaged statewide to compliment the activities of 3 navigators supported locally to facilitate regional WIB Employment Networks. Since these efforts already compliment those of Rehabilitation agencies, HCBS Waiver initiatives, PROMISE JOBS Disability Specialists activities and Social Security benefits planners, the network is closing a tighter circle. Whichever pieces do come to bear will assure that at least some of the lessons learned are sustainable in Iowa Workforce center systems. If youve made it this far through this report, you have both my gratitude and admiration. I get a little windy, but there is a tremendous opportunity here, and you have been part of making it possible to have this discussion. We have come a long way in our thinking regarding customer service in eight years. Granted we have far to go, but isnt it great to be having the conversations were having now instead of what we could be arguing about now, if we hadnt made these steps together over the last few years? Synopsis of ScenariosContinued Federal Funding1.Shared Region Approach2.Zone Approach3.Competitive DistributionSupported Locally through Income as an Employment Network 1.Employment Network revenues + SSA demonstration grant2.Splitting DPN carryover dollars to regions who are ENStatewide Network within One-Stop System1.MIG Comprehensive Plan proposalOther potential funding sources1.Governor create budget to continue navigators2.IWD choose utilize 15% state set aside to continue navigators3.State agency partner would identify funding source4.Faith  B # % : E T   t  R r 7\_`ʿʿʴʴʴʩʂttitth9hM6OJQJ^Jh{h{6OJQJ^Jh{h( Y6OJQJ^Jh{h D6OJQJ^Jh46OJQJ^Jh D6OJQJ^Jh)H6OJQJ^Jhj6OJQJ^Jh{h46OJQJ^J#hZ@?hZ@?6CJOJQJ^JaJh4OJQJ^Jh45OJQJ^J)B `a(QR|gdZ@? & Fgd5N@`(1>^t{W\ g&(R!-.}κΰİİĺĺĺāhOJQJ^JhNz56OJQJ^Jh)HOJQJ^Jh[h[H*OJQJ^Jh[OJQJ^JhNzOJQJ^Jh$OJQJ^JhZ@?OJQJ^Jh5NOJQJ^Jh9hMOJQJ^Jh DOJQJ^Jh{OJQJ^J2|}!!!!##&&&&''''''_+`+++&$d%d&d'dNOPQgd$gdZ@?!!!!!!!##$$$&&&&&&&'''''''((]*}*****3+^+_+`+̾촪ן׊vllhFAOJQJ^JhOJQJ^JhR OJQJ^Jh>*OJQJ^JhOJQJ^Jh&3;>*OJQJ^Jh&3;OJQJ^JhyiOJQJ^Jhh>*OJQJ^Jh>*OJQJ^Jh$>*OJQJ^Jh{OJQJ^JhOJQJ^Jh$OJQJ^J'`++++m,,,,--...F/O/n/o/p//// 0 1Y1[14l4H5I5J5i5j555^6`666{8}8e:o::;;!;K;߾ߧ˧ߧːːːː||hR OJQJ^Jhf)OJQJ^JhOJQJ^Jh56OJQJ^JhOJQJ^Jh>@56OJQJ^Jhl56OJQJ^Jh>@OJQJ^Jh$OJQJ^JhlOJQJ^JhFAOJQJ^JhFA56OJQJ^J.+-o/p///I5J5j5k555_66|8}8;;====gd>@h^hgd>@ & Fgd>@&$d%d&d'dNOPQgd>@gdZ@? & Fgd>@K;;;===@@hhwPOJQJ^JhwPhwP5OJQJ^JhwPOJQJ^JhOJQJ^Jh OJQJ^J==== $IfgdZ@?gkd$$Ifl,"" t0644 la $$Ifa$gdwP=== > $IfgdZ@? $$Ifa$gdwPgkdI$$Ifl,"" t0644 la > >>>xo $IfgdZ@? $$Ifa$gdwPzkd$$Ifl0,"t$ t0644 la>> >9>xo $IfgdZ@? $$Ifa$gdwPzkd$$Ifl0,"t$ t0644 la9>:>u>{ $IfgdZ@?zkdP$$Ifl0,"t$ t0644 lau>v>y>> $IfgdZ@? $$Ifa$gdwPgkd$$Ifl,"" t0644 la>>>>xo $IfgdZ@? $$Ifa$gdwPzkd$$Ifl0,"t$ t0644 la>>?{ $IfgdZ@?zkdW$$Ifl0,"t$ t0644 la???7? $IfgdZ@? $$Ifa$gdwPgkd$$Ifl,"" t0644 la7?8?X?{ $IfgdZ@?zkd$$Ifl0,"t$ t0644 laX?Y?\?? $IfgdZ@? $$Ifa$gdwPgkd^$$Ifl,"" t0644 la????xo $IfgdZ@? $$Ifa$gdwPzkd$$Ifl0,"t$ t0644 la???@xo $IfgdZ@? $$Ifa$gdwPzkd$$Ifl0,"t$ t0644 la@@@@xo $IfgdZ@? $$Ifa$gdwPzkde$$Ifl0,"t$ t0644 la@@@gdZ@?zkd$$Ifl0,"t$ t0644 la 1h/ =!"#$%G$$If!vh5"#v":Vl t65"G$$If!vh5"#v":Vl t65"]$$If!vh5t5$#vt#v$:Vl t65t5$]$$If!vh5t5$#vt#v$:Vl t65t5$]$$If!vh5t5$#vt#v$:Vl t65t5$G$$If!vh5"#v":Vl t65"]$$If!vh5t5$#vt#v$:Vl t65t5$]$$If!vh5t5$#vt#v$:Vl t65t5$G$$If!vh5"#v":Vl t65"]$$If!vh5t5$#vt#v$:Vl t65t5$G$$If!vh5"#v":Vl t65"]$$If!vh5t5$#vt#v$:Vl t65t5$]$$If!vh5t5$#vt#v$:Vl t65t5$]$$If!vh5t5$#vt#v$:Vl t65t5$]$$If!vh5t5$#vt#v$:Vl t65t5$@@@ NormalCJ_HaJmH sH tH DAD Default Paragraph FontRi@R  Table Normal4 l4a (k(No Listj@j wP Table Grid7:V0HH y Balloon TextCJOJQJ^JaJ8 rB`a    (QR|}_#`###%o'p'''I-J-j-k---_..|0}033555555555 6 6666 696:6u6v6y6666667777787X7Y7\7777777888888@0@0x@0@0@0@0@0@0@0@0@0@0@0@0@0 @0@0@0x@ 0x@ 0x@ 0x@ 0x@ 0x@ 0x@0@0x@0x@0@0x@0x@0x@0x@0x@0x@0@0x@0@0x@0x@0@0@0@0@0x@0x@0@0@0@0x@0x@0x@ 0x@ 0x@0@0x@0 @0 @0x@0x@0x@0x@0x@ 0x@ 0 @ 0 @0x@00@0@0@0x@0x@0@0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0 @0``+K;@!$&')|+== >>9>u>>>?7?X???@@@"%(*+,-./012345678@#-I PIb I<I]I\I + IlI4I,III,IwIL.I\7 IL I IL| I< I I,J I<IIdQ IhII ITI\VII IIL I I ILI I|I|IIt(I IILd I ++  mmdd1ppJJ^^==``r!,,8      !"#$%&'()*+,//  qqhh=ttTThhDDll~!,,8  !"#$%&'()*+,9--*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagsplace9,,*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagsState8))*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagsdate8*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagsCity  1122006200779DayMonthYear-,-,)-,-,-,-,-,-,-,)-,-,-,--------)-,EJ8+2&`a;t}  r0y083333333  --^.`...{0}0e2o2555888> NDE:+>9, Xt hh^h`o(. 88^8`hH. 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