State of Colorado             Ticket to Work                        Homepage

Colorado Work Plan for Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Implementation

Potential Partners:

Cerebal Palsy of Colorado *                       

Workforce Centers*

DVR*                       

SSA*

Legal Center  (P & A, CAP)*                       

Medicaid (HCPFA)*      

Department of Labor*                       

DHS-Self Sufficiency*

Department of Education*                        

Maximus*

Advocacy organizations*                       

Developmental Disabilities Services

WTW/TANF*                       

Employers (temp to hire, large)

Independent Living Centers                       

Worker’s Comp             

Mental Health                       

State Rehabilitation Council*

Governor’s Advisory Council*                       

Colorado Business Leadership Network

Community College System                       

Tribal Councils

Consumers*                       

Alternative Providers

121 programs*                        

Office of Workforce/Governor’s Office*

RSA System Change project/Project WIN*

  * - As of June 2001 these partners participate on the Ticket Implementation Committee

  Objective 1:            Establish Steering and Implementation Committees

·        Representatives to attend RSA Symposium in Seattle to begin researching Ticket implementation – completed March 2001

·        Draft initial action plan in Seattle – completed March 2001

·        Form Implementation Committee – completed April 2001

·        Recruit additional representatives for Implementation Committee as needed - ongoing

·        Implementation Committee proposes initial action steps – completed April 2001

·        Develop slide presentation of TWWIIA overview and its’ potential impact to state and local agencies and individuals with disabilities within Colorado – completed May 2001

·        Provide a presentation to Colorado State Directors of Workforce Development, Department of Human Services, Department of Labor, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Regional Social Security Administration to provide TWWIIA overview and impact within Colorado – completed May 2001

·        Obtain state agency directors commitment to participating on statewide TWWIIA Steering Committee – completed May 2001

·        Steering Committee members appoint additional representatives to participate on TWWIIA Implementation Committee – completed and ongoing June 2001

·        Provide routine updates to Steering Committee

  Objective 2:            Explore Partnerships and Fiscal Sharing

·        Research what other states are doing regarding partnerships, Memorandum’s of Understanding, Employment Networks - ongoing

·        Implementation Committee establishes a relationship with Maximus – completed May 2001 and ongoing

·        Explore with Maximus how Employment Networks are forming around the country

·        Disseminate sample agreements, guidelines, contracts, etc. with other interested agencies/entities

  Objective 3:    Provide Outreach and Disseminate Information Regarding TWWIIA to a Number of Audiences Throughout the State

·        Obtain commitment of Workforce Centers to host community forums around the state-completed June 2001

·        Host informational community forums on TWWIIA – begin August 2001

·        Provide targeted outreach to the following entities:  employers and large employers, DD/MH, Local SSA offices, Local rehab offices, Workforce Centers, Special Education Directors/Transition Coordinators, Consumer/Advocacy Groups

·        Provide periodic updates, especially once regulations are final

·        Partner with Maximus in recruiting EN’s around the state

·        Make presentations at national/state/local conferences regarding Ticket and Self-Sufficiency – RCEP August 2001, Maximus September 2001, Workforce Development Association September 2001

Objective 4:    Develop a Variety of Communication/Informational Materials and Tools for Dissemination

·        Design on-going communication systems for information sharing

·        Disseminate SSA copies of the Ticket - ongoing

·        Disseminate SSA brochure on the Ticket - ongoing

·        Develop frequently asked question and answer handout – completed June 2001

·        Develop Colorado web site for Ticket information – www.state.co.us/ticket

·        Advertise web sites that will have useful information related to the Ticket through Colorado’s Ticket web site, (SSA, DVR, Employment Works, Project WIN etc.)

·        Develop information sheets/handouts on the Ticket

·        Develop “Who to Contact” resource sheet

·        Develop variety of power point presentations that other audiences can use

·        Develop one page summary of Benefit Planners services

·        Begin developing “Best Practices” informational sheets

·        Distribute Ticket information provided by Maximus

·        Develop handout on how to collect verification of wages

Objective 5:    The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will develop an Internal Plan of Action to Prepare for Ticket Implementation

·        Establish internal ticket implementation committee – completed April 2001

·        Assign someone from DVR to begin investigating sample MOU’s – completed and ongoing

·        DVR will explore legalities of potential MOU’s with the Employment Networks

·        Investigate Ticket impact related to TABOR and spending authority

·        Provide education/information to local office supervisors regarding TWWIIA – completed and ongoing

·        Analyze Ticket fiscal impact on DVR – Completed May 2001

·        Disseminate Ticket information on DVR web site

·        Participate on CSAVR sponsored teleconferences – ongoing

·        Develop guidelines for Benefits Planning to be used for DVR referrals for rehabilitation counselors and front line staff

·        DVR Director disseminate letter on Ticket to all vocational rehabilitation staff – completed July 2001

·        DVR will determine decision making level for negotiating EN partnerships

·        Develop question and answer handout for front line staff – completed June 2001

·        Draft guidelines to begin developing working agreements

·        Begin drafting policies and procedures around Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Networks with DVR Administration

·        Develop policies related to Ticket and disseminate throughout DVR

·        Provide training to rehabilitation counselors regarding TWWIIA

·        Develop systems to track ticket usage and reimbursement

·        Explore ways for increasing internal capacity

·        Design methods to evaluate DVR’s success in serving individuals under Ticket

·        Design methods to identify best practices in serving individuals under Ticket