Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force 2010-2011 Annual Report January 2011
Table of Contents Section Page I. Introduction.2 II. Task Force Membership..3 III. Responsibilities of the Task Force Legislative Mandate.7 IV. Task Force Preliminary Recommendations...7 V. Schedule of Meetings 2010-2011.10 VI. Schedule of Meetings and Events 2011-2012.10 VII. Update on Current Activities.10 EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TASK FORCE Page 1
I. INTRODUCTION The following report outlines the activities undertaken by the Task Force during the first full year of operation. It reflects the information that has been gathered by the Task Force to date as well as outlines the recommendations developed by the Task Force during a strategic planning meeting held in April 2011. The Task Force is committed to addressing the major issues impacting employment and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities in Illinois and collaborating with Illinois leaders to do this. To that end, the task force is proposing several initiatives that are aimed to begin the necessary dialogues for changing the way that existing employment programs are operated and the policies and procedures that govern them. EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TASK FORCE Page 2
II. Task Force Membership as of October 2011 No Photo Available Susan J. Aarup Chicago, Illinois Employer: Access Living Disability: Cerebral Palsy Education: B.A. in Psychology, Wright State University Kenny Borst Chicago, Illinois Employer: Cable Access Network-TV Disability: Blindness Education: Donald E. Gavit Jr., Sr., High School John Brady Wheaton, Illinois Employer: Marian Joy Rehabilitation Hospital Education: Doctor of Health Administration, Central Michigan University M.A. in Communication, Illinois State University B.A. in Communication, University of Iowa No Photo Available Debbie Davis Springfield, Illinois Employer: Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois (CCDI) Disability: Multiple Sclerosis Education: Lincoln Land Community College Lynn Gallagher Galena, Illinois Employer: Galena Parent Advocates Education: Ed.D. National-Louis University M.S. Ed., University of Wisconsin-Platteville B.S. Loyola University EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TASK FORCE Page 3
Andres J. Gallegos Golf, Illinois Employer: Robbins, Salomon Patt, Ltd. Disability: Spinal Cord Injury Education: J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law B.S. in Business Management, University of Southern Mississippi No Photo Available Henry D. Helm Humboldt, Illinois Disability: Muscular Dystrophy Education: Graduate of Lake Land Community College Certificate in computer-aided drafting Robin A. Jones Co-Chairperson Chicago, Illinois Employer: DBTAC Great Lakes ADA Center Education: MPA, DePaul University B.A. in Public Administration, Loyola University A.S. in Occupational Therapy, Madison Area Technical College Patrick W. Maher Chicago, Illinois Employer: nablement/spr Companies President of the Board of Directors, National Spinal Cord Injury Association Disability: Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Education: B.S. in Commerce, Business Administration, Marketing, UIUC Philip C. Milsk New Lenox, Illinois Education: Juris Doctor 1973, DePaul College of Law B.A. Sociology, University of Illinois EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TASK FORCE Page 4
Sharon K. Slover Woodstock, Illinois Employer: Special Education District of McHenry County Education: Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration (Type 75), Lewis University M.S. in Rehabilitation Administration Transition, Specialist/ Special Education Certification, Southern Illinois University B.A. in Elementary Education, Eastern Illinois University Al Smith Galesburg, Illinois Education: C.C., R.S.E.S, Certificate of Refrigeration, Heating, Air Conditioning Courses at U of I and Carl Sandburg College Employer: Self-employed, HVAC Electrical Disability: Blind in one eye Earl L. Smith Chicago, Illinois Education: Master of Divinity, Earlham School of Religion B.A., Indiana University Disability: Post-polio Syndrome Cathy F. Terrill Downers Grove, Illinois Education: M.S. in Disability Studies, University of Illinois-Chicago B.A. in Psychology, B.A. in Business Administration, Clarke College Employer: Institute of Public Policy for People with Disabilities Disability: Brain Injury EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TASK FORCE Page 5
Statutorily Appointed Members Name Representing John Miller..Illinois Deaf & Hard of Hearing Commission Bill Sinwell... Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity Margaret Harkness Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Carlos Charneco... Illinois Department of Employment Security Rob Kilbury Illinois Department of Human Services Sue Walters Illinois State Board of Education John Spears...Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Ryan Croke...Office of Governor Pat Quinn Mary Keen....Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Participating Stakeholders Name Representing Brian Barnes... Cook County Housing Authority Marsie Frawley...Griffin-Hammis Associates Rick Glass...MarcFirst Mark Williams...Disabilityworks, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TASK FORCE Page 6
III. Responsibilities of the Task Force Legislative Mandate Illinois House Bill 655 in the 96th General Assembly, which became law (as Public Act 96-368) on August 13, 2009, outlines the duties of the Task Force. They include: o Analyze programs and policies of the State to determine what changes, modifications, and innovations may be necessary to remove barriers to competitive employment and economic opportunity for persons with disabilities, including barriers such as transportation, housing, program accessibility, and benefit structure. o Analyze State disability systems, including the mental health, developmental disabilities, veterans' assistance, workforce investment, and rehabilitation services systems, and their effect on employment of persons with disabilities. o Review and analyze applicable research and policy studies, innovations used in other states, and any federal policy initiatives such as customized employment, and federal funding opportunities that would increase competitive employment and economic opportunity for persons with disabilities in Illinois. IV. Task Force Preliminary Recommendations - 2011: 1. The State of Illinois will become an Employment First state that adheres to the following principals: A) The State of Illinois shall recognize that all citizens, regardless of disability, have a right to pursue the full range of available employment opportunities and to earn a living wage in a job of their choosing, based on their talents, skills and interests: 1. The expectation of meaningful work will be assumed; 2. Employment will promote economic self sufficiency by utilizing Social Security Administration funded work incentives, planning and assistance projects. 3. Illinois will eliminate policies that support a sub-minimum wage allowance for people with physical and mental disabilities. This recognized that access to real jobs with real wages is essential if citizens with disabilities are to avoid lives of poverty, dependence and isolation. 4. The State of Illinois will ensure that employees with disabilities have access to supports necessary to succeed in the workplace. B) The State of Illinois will adopt policies, procedures and practices that ensure employment of citizens with disabilities within the general workforce is THE priority for public funding and service delivery: 1. All new dollars for employment-related assistance and services for persons with disabilities shall be used to fund mainstream employment strategies (i.e. customized employment and individual placement and supports). EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TASK FORCE Page 7
2. Illinois will shift its focus and resources from sheltered workshops and day programming to competitive, self-employment and evidence based strategies. 2. Individuals with disabilities across Illinois will be prepared for jobs and careers of their choice. A) All age groups (e.g., including transitioning youth, veterans, etc.) should have access to evidence-based practices to facilitate training and skill development that lead to real jobs in the community. o All transition age students must have a post-school goal under independent living in their IEP. B) All age groups (e.g., including transitioning youth, veterans, etc.) should have access to post-secondary education and training opportunities that support their employment and career goals. C) The State Board of Education, in collaboration with other human service agencies, will support career and work skill development for youth who are in transition from school to adult life, as measured by post-school follow-up surveys. 3. The State of Illinois will develop policies that will engage families, youth, and communities in order to increase training and skill development and maximize job and career attainment. A) Ensure all stake holders, including the business community, have a platform to exchange information about workforce needs and related opportunities for training and skill development and maximizing job and career attainment utilizing a variety of mechanisms including websites, conferences, meetings, etc. B) Utilize best practices (including evidenced-based approaches, such as the community schools model, customized employment, etc.) to promote job and career attainment. 4. Restoration of funding A) The State of Illinois will restore $1.1M in General Revenue funding for extended support employment services in its budget for FY 12. 5. Investment in Community Based Services and Supports A) The State should close/downsize State Operated Developmental Centers and State Operated Mental Health Centers so that within 4 years the current population residing in these facilities is reduced by at least 50%. The net savings should be reinvested into community based services, including services and support for mainstream employment and support. EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TASK FORCE Page 8
6. Statewide Coordination of Employment Programs for Individuals with disabilities: A. Establish a position within the Executive Branch/Governor s Office that will be charged with the authority and responsibility for oversight and coordination of employment related programs for individuals with disabilities. This position will: 1. Develop a coordinated plan for state agencies that would identify and evaluate all funding sources as they relate to the needs of each disability population and recommend areas where collaboration would be warranted to maximize cost efficiency, effectiveness of service delivery and eliminate duplication for individuals with disabilities, providers and employers; 2. Serve as the primary point of contact for identifying policy needs to facilitate employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities statewide and specifically within Illinois code agencies so that Illinois is a model inclusive employer. 3. Serve as an advocate for employment programs within the Executive Branch including budget discussions. 4. Serve as a member of the Task Force 7. Financial incentives and wage issues A. The State of Illinois will amend the Illinois Fair Labor Standards Act to eliminate the sub-minimum wage provision. B. The State of Illinois will enact financial incentives that emphasize the value of individuals with disabilities and promote the employment of individuals with disabilities that are currently placed in facilities that pay sub-minimum wages. 8. Additional Recommendations: A. Increase the personal needs allowance (currently $30/month) to $50.00 month. B. Create Job Development Task Force that would consist of Job Developers from various state agencies and community-based service providers with the goal of more efficiently linking to the business community and developing jobs for people with disabilities C. Executive Order to increase the employment of individuals with disabilities in State Government D. Issue an Executive order to amend the Illinois Procurement Code s Business Enterprise Program so that a business owned by a person with a disability must be just that and not a business run by a vocational provider using persons with disabilities as workers but not partners sharing in ownership and profits. EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TASK FORCE Page 9
V. Schedule of Meetings 2010-2011 December 16, 2011 February 9, 2011 April 21, 2011 (Strategic Planning Meeting) VI. Schedule of Meetings 2011-2012 August 3, 2011 October 20, 2011 December 15, 2011 February 9, 2012 April 12, 2012 VII. Update on Current Activities A. Task Force Coordination - Effective July 1, 2011 the coordinating responsibilities for the Task Force were assumed by IDES under the leadership of Director Jay Rowell and Carlos Charneco. B. The Task Force recommendation to hold an Employment Summit to facilitate development of strategic steps related to creating employment policies that are consistent with the Employment First philosophy has moved forward and the Employment First Summit is scheduled for January 31, 2012 in Springfield, IL at the Governor s Mansion. Funding to support the Summit is being provided by a variety of State agencies including the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and DHS. Additional support is being sought from ISBE, IDES and DCEO. Private entities committed to increasing employment options for people with disabilities are also lending support to the Summit including ASPE. EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TASK FORCE Page 10