Alliance for Full Participation

Alliance for Full Participation
Missouri State Team

Present:

• Darla Wilkerson, Department of Mental Health, Division of DD
• Lori Pace, Arc of the Ozarks
• Susan Pritchard-Green, Missouri Planning Council for DD
• Chaz Nickolaus, MPC DD
• Greg Griffin, People First
• Tish Thomas, UMKC & Division of CPS
• Wendy Hays, Learning Opportunities/Quality Works
• Missy Johns, LOQW
• Jeff Warder, Social Security Administration
• Michelle Saunders, ACT
• Jodee Mitchell, MO P&A Services
• Jean Cardin, Choices for People Center
• Debra Brock, Choices for People Center
• Kristin Funk, MO Division of Workforce Development
• Karen Allan MPACT
• Cyndi Johns, NE MO Workforce Investment Board
• Greg Wingert, Marf

Darla Wilkerson, Susan Pritchard-Green and Lori Pace facilitated the November 10, 2009 meeting of the Alliance for Full Participation. Several handouts were provided. There were many individuals attendance that were not present at the 1st Alliance meeting held in July.

A brief overview of the National AFP Summit held in September 2005 was provided along with discussion topics from the July Missouri Team meeting. Outcomes of the National Summit were seen to be too broad and state teams struggled. States have now been charged with focusing on efforts to increase employment of people with developmental disabilities in competitive jobs. The National Vision for Employment was shared. The Missouri Team will need to develop a vision for Missouri – this was discussed at the 1st meeting as well as good discussion around "optimal" employment opportunities and where Missouri should be in the future.

Participants were asked to share employment efforts occurring within their respective organizations. A press release was shared from the National Alliance for Full Participation: "Alliance Sets Goal of Doubling Employment Among People with Developmental Disabilities."

Participants formed two groups to brainstorm on "next steps" – what can they or their agency do (or are doing) to move Missouri forward. At some point groups will be asked to "sign on/adopt/work toward" efforts to promote and accomplish Missouri's vision

Results of work group discussions:

• Need better "real time" data
• - could WFD, Department of Labor, ODEP help?
• Share information from meeting and advocate within Workforce Development and serve as contact
• Up front assessment by Career Centers
• Education on Ticket-to-Work – what is offered at career centers, Medicaid, work incentives for Social Security
• Make Workforce Development aware of new initiatives
• Partner with agencies, families and individuals receiving services with Career Center
  - Transition mentors
  - Develop questions to ask about what is offered
• Co-host APSE Employment 1st Summit
• Have input at MPACT trainings
  - Infuse Employment 1st language
  - Get links to training on a central location
• Get Employment 1st language into DMH individual plans
• Do messaging at different levels
• - Successful stories
  - What is Employment 1st?
• Development of person-centered plan (not a system's plan)
  - What do people really think (clicker system)
• Change is okay
• Focus on people, not agency
• Streamline groups
• Create a "White Paper" for Missouri
• Meet more frequently for less time
• Develop committees and assignments
• Do not have discussions that are "over a person's head"
• Need provider incentives
• Need to educate individuals, ask "what kind of work they want rather than do they want to work – expectation of work
• Implement Employment 1st Policy
• Address transportation – availability, time of day (not exclusive for people with disabilities)

Discussion was held about a next meeting. The team may want to consider web-based meetings or consider that format for committees between team meetings. Also, true commitment is needed from the participating organizations. The right people/agencies need to be included and at the table and individuals who were not in attendance but expected, should be surveyed to determine their interest and commitment. It will take true commitment for the effort to succeed.

Next meeting: January 12th, Room 470, Governor's Office Building in JC. Individuals are to bring or provide their own lunch.