Cross-System Collaboration
The LEAD Center fosters cross-system collaboration by partnering with federal agency leaders, state and local agency policymakers, and practitioners and subject matter experts to build a progressive vision to improve the employment outcomes and economic advancement of youth and adults with disabilities. No single organization or resource is able to respond effectively to the diverse needs of each individual with a disability, and others who face multiple barriers to employment. The LEAD Center facilitates and highlights promising practices in resource coordination across systems by proactively engaging with agencies and organizations to spur systems change that translates into significant improvements in the employment and economic advancement of individuals with disabilities.
Categories - LG Tablet
Categories - SM Tablet
Resources
- A Resource Developed by LEAD Center for ODEP
Kansas Employment First Oversight Commission 2015 Report to the Governor and Kansas Legislature
March 2015 | Report/Brief
State of Kansas
As detailed in this report, Kansas has undertaken several initiatives regarding employment for people with disabilities. The Commission believes these initiatives are positive developments and can be a catalyst for additional changes that can create...
I'm In To Hire
Website
A movement to unify the voices of employers, employees and similar-minded individuals in support of hiring the 85 percent of people with developmental disabilities who do not have a paid community job, Best Buddies'
Working for Adults: State Policies and Community College Practices to Better Serve Adult Learners at Community Colleges During the Great Recession and Beyond
June 2013 | Report/Brief
The NTAR Leadership Center, June 2013. This report examines how community colleges serve adults, identifies lessons from research on state policies and college practices to support adults and community colleges
Community College Practices that Serve Older Dislocated Workers
April 2013 | Report/Brief
The NTAR Leadership Center, April 2013. This brief examines strategies being used at five community colleges serving high numbers of dislocated workers and how the outlined practices meet the needs of older workers, some of whom may be aging with or...
Employment for People with Disabilities: Little Is Known about the Effectiveness of Fragmented and Overlapping Programs
June 2012 | Report/Brief
U.S. Government Accountability Office, June 2012 - This report examines the GAO’s identification of 45 federal programs that supported employment for people with disabilities in fiscal year 2010, and its finding of a fragmented system of services.
Impact of Federal Policies on an Aging Workforce with Disabilities
March 2012 | Report/Brief
The NTAR Leadership Center, March 2012. This report examines the potential impact of federal policy on work incentives for adults with disabilities in their sixties an late fifties.
Innovative Collaborations Between Workforce Boards and Employers Helped Meet Urgent Local Workforce Needs
February 2012 | Report/Brief
Government Accountability Office, February 2012 - Workforce board officials and their partners in 14 initiatives cited a range of factors that facilitated building innovative collaborations.
Fiscal Austerity and the Transition to 21st Century Employment Disability Policy: A Road Map
November 2011 | Report/Brief
Mathematica Policy Research Center for Studying Disability Policy, November 2011 - Systemic problems with the current support system for working-age people with disabilities are failing to meet the economic aspirations of this population and driving...
Moving TANF Recipients with Disabilities to Work: Examples of State Strategies
June 2011 | Report/Brief
The NTAR Leadership Center, June 2011. This brief examines activities available to move people with disabilities receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to employment.
Ready and Able: Addressing Labor Market Needs and Building Productive Careers for People with Disabilities Through Collaborative Approaches
April 2011 | Report/Brief
NTAR Leadership Center, Robert Nicholas, Ph.D., Ronnie Kauder, Kathy Krepcio, Daniel Baker, Ph.D. April 2011
- A Resource Developed by LEAD Center for ODEP
Webinars
Competitive Integrated Employment as a Civil Right for People with Disabilities
November 8, 2016
View the archive of this webinar for a discussion with presenters from the Department of Justice, Administration for Community Living (ACL) and APSE on how supporting transformation to competitive integrated employment aligns with changing laws and...
Implications of HCBS Final Rule on Non-Residential Settings – The Impact of New HCBS Guidance on Employment & Day Services
February 27, 2014
ODEP, in collaboration with the CMS Disability & Elderly Public Health Group will host two upcoming educational webinars for state policy-makers and disability policy stakeholders to discuss recent Federal policy guidance issued by CMS.
Innovative Strategies for Using Medicaid State Plan and Waiver Options to Promote Integrated Employment of People with Disabilities
February 20, 2014
ODEP, in collaboration with the CMS Disability & Elderly Public Health Group will host two upcoming educational webinars for state policy-makers and disability policy stakeholders to discuss recent Federal policy guidance issued by CMS.
Medicaid Managed Care and Its Implications on Employment Services
May 28, 2014
As states continue to transition their Medicaid systems into managed care models, numerous opportunities and risks to Medicaid-financed employment services have emerged.
National Employment First Website Launch
October 1, 2015
Are you interested in learning more about what is going on in other states relevant to Employment First but don’t know how to access the information?
New CMS Regulation on HCBS Settings: Implications for Employment Services
June 25, 2014
In the aftermath of CMS' recent regulation defining acceptable and unacceptable settings for Home and Community Based Services, states and stakeholders are now considering how to transition their service-provision systems into compliance with the
Promoting Leadership: Effective Strategies for Integrating Employment Outcomes and Services into Managed Care Models
September 25, 2013
During this webinar we will provide a brief overview on the emergence of managed care as the preferred model for delivering Medicaid-funded long-term supports to individuals with disabilities.
Redefining Home & Community Based Services: CMS Guidance on Non-Residential Services and its Implications for Employment
March 25, 2015
This webinar will include presenters from CMS and national subject matter experts, who will discuss the HCBS rule and its applications in supporting individuals with disabilities to seek and attain competitive integrated employment.
Rising to the Occasion: ADA, Olmstead and State Efforts to Promote Integrated Employment of Individuals with Significant Disabilities
July 16, 2014
One of the most historic legal decisions affecting the civil rights of people with disabilities celebrated its 15th anniversary on June 22nd. In 1999, the U.S.
WIOA Implementation Partnerships: The Important Role of Centers for Independent Living
March 24, 2016
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides new opportunities for American Job Centers (AJCs) to partner with Centers for Independent Living (CILs) leading to improved employment outcomes for job seekers with disabilities.
Policy Updates
CMS Releases National Data Report for 2012 on Demographics of Beneficiaries Receiving Medicaid-Funded Long-Term Services and Support
November 29, 2016
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released its report “Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports Beneficiaries in 2012,”
CMS RFI Seeks Information on How to Accelerate Access to Home and Community-Based Services
November 29, 2016
On November 9, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a Request for Information (RFI) entitled, “Medicaid Program Request for Information (RFI): Federal Government Interventions to Ensure the Provision of Timely and Q
Nation Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month
November 29, 2016
October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time during which many people reflect on both the progress that has been made towards the full employment of people with disabilities and the long way that we still have to go.
United States Department of Justice Releases Statement on Application of Title II of the ADA and Olmstead to State Employment Service Systems for Individuals with Disabilities
November 29, 2016
On October 31, 2016, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a statement on how the integration mandates of Title II of the Ameri
September HCBS Transition Plan Update
October 3, 2016
In September, the states of Iowa and Pennsylvania were granted initial approval of their HCBS Transition Plans by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Brooklyn Law School Files Federal Complaint Challenging Private Health Insurance Company
September 30, 2016
The Disability and Civil Rights Clinic at Brooklyn Law School recently filed a complaint against two health insurance companies, Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and EmblemHealth.
Illinois Passes New Employee Sick Leave Act Allowing Employees to Take Leave to Support Family Members’ Health Needs
September 30, 2016
The Illinois General Assembly recently passed House Bill 6162, or the Employee Sick Leave Act. The Employee Sick
Research on Disability Releases Monthly nTIDE Report and Webinar which Shows Rising Disability Employment
September 30, 2016
On September 2, 2016, Research on Disability, a coalition of disability-focused research projects at the Institute on Disability and University of New Hampshire, released their latest
LEAD On! Articles
News
Launch of the National Employment First Website
October 8, 2015
The platform provides a unique comprehensive resource for policymakers, researchers and external stakeholders to learn about national trends and activities in Employment First
Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October 1, 2015
The entire month of October, we will join countless nonprofits, organizations, all levels of government, and individuals with disabilities, their family and friends, as well as disability advocates raising awareness about disability employment...
Letter to Governors on Employment First
July 23, 2015
On July 21, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Tom Perez, joined by Delaware Governor Jack Markell and South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, sent a letter to governors of every state highlighting their commitment to advancing the Employment First...
LEAD Center Travels to Baltimore for Reinventing Quality 2014
August 6, 2014
From Aug. 3- 5, Baltimore, Maryland, served as host to the 2014 Reinventing Quality Conference.
LEAD Presents at 2014 Annual Conference on Independent Living
July 31, 2014
On July 31, LEAD Center Public Policy Lead and Executive Director of National Disability Institute (NDI) Michael Morris presented at the 2014 Annual Conference on Independent Living.
White House Office of Public Engagement to Hold Next Disability Community Call February 26th
February 21, 2014
The next White House Office of Public Engagement disability community conference call featuring a senior Administration official will take place on Wednesday, February 26, 3:00-4:00 PM EST.
LEAD Center Policy Roundtable Report Available
February 5, 2014
The LEAD Center released recently the report from its first bi-annual 2013 Policy Roundtable held July 17-18, 2013 in Washington, DC.
White House Office of Public Engagement to Hold Disability Community Call on Thursday, Jan. 30
January 29, 2014
This Thursday, January 30 at 3 p.m. ET the White House Office of Public Engagement will re-launch its disability community conference White House call featuring a senior Administration official.
New CMS Rule On Home and Community-Based Services Gives States Greater Flexibility to Serve the Disability Community
January 17, 2014
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released recently new regulations on state Medicaid home and community-based service (HCBS) programs.
LEAD Center and CILs Showcase Workforce Pilot at NCIL Conference
August 15, 2013
The LEAD Center and three Centers for Independent Living (CILs) participating in LEAD’s CIL Workforce Pilot highlighted the project and its work at the National Council for Independent Living’s (NCIL) recent national conference in Washington, D.C.
Blogs
High Expectations
October 17, 2016
I have a deep appreciation for my mom because she always had the courage to stand up for me.
From Screen to Society: How Television Increases Disability Inclusion
October 11, 2016
We may watch television to relax, but watching that screen can also widen our world view.
In The Know: The Impact of Employment on the Health Status and Health Care Costs of Working-age People with Disabilities
April 4, 2016
In the Know is a bi-monthly feature on the LEAD Center blog that highlights important resources and information about the employment, policy and economic advancement of people with disabilities.
In The Know: I'm In To Hire
February 19, 2016
I’m In To Hire is an initiative founded by Best Buddies International that aims to create a more inclusive workplace by promoting the business benefits of hiring those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
CMS’ New HCBS Regulations Opens the Door to Competitive Employment for People with Disabilities
October 9, 2015
As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), it is important that we take account of the incredible progress that has been made in the fight to ensure all people, including people with disabilities, have access to gainful...
In the Know: HCBS Advocacy
July 2, 2015
In January 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued final regulations on acceptable and unacceptable home and community based services (HCBS) settings.
In the Know - The Affordable Care Act and the I/DD Community: An Overview of the Law and Advocacy Priorities Going Forward
January 16, 2015
For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), access to health care has been a long-standing challenge.
In the Know: I'm In To Hire
November 25, 2014
In the Know is a bi-monthly feature on the LEAD Center blog that will highlight important resources and information about the employment, policy and economic advancement of people with disabilities.
Reflections on Roosevelt
October 31, 2014
Roosevelt Island lies in the East River between midtown Manhattan and Queens. In the early 1980’s, it was a planned development that brought together diverse communities and income levels,housing international diplomats as well as residents of its...
In the Know: A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities
October 9, 2014
As countless individuals with disabilities, their family and friends, disability advocates, allies and like-minded businesses and organizations join together to celebrate National Disab
Categories - Phablet
Resources
- A Resource Developed by LEAD Center for ODEP
Kansas Employment First Oversight Commission 2015 Report to the Governor and Kansas Legislature
March 2015 | Report/Brief
State of Kansas
As detailed in this report, Kansas has undertaken several initiatives regarding employment for people with disabilities. The Commission believes these initiatives are positive developments and can be a catalyst for additional changes that can create...
I'm In To Hire
Website
A movement to unify the voices of employers, employees and similar-minded individuals in support of hiring the 85 percent of people with developmental disabilities who do not have a paid community job, Best Buddies'
Working for Adults: State Policies and Community College Practices to Better Serve Adult Learners at Community Colleges During the Great Recession and Beyond
June 2013 | Report/Brief
The NTAR Leadership Center, June 2013. This report examines how community colleges serve adults, identifies lessons from research on state policies and college practices to support adults and community colleges
Community College Practices that Serve Older Dislocated Workers
April 2013 | Report/Brief
The NTAR Leadership Center, April 2013. This brief examines strategies being used at five community colleges serving high numbers of dislocated workers and how the outlined practices meet the needs of older workers, some of whom may be aging with or...
Employment for People with Disabilities: Little Is Known about the Effectiveness of Fragmented and Overlapping Programs
June 2012 | Report/Brief
U.S. Government Accountability Office, June 2012 - This report examines the GAO’s identification of 45 federal programs that supported employment for people with disabilities in fiscal year 2010, and its finding of a fragmented system of services.
Impact of Federal Policies on an Aging Workforce with Disabilities
March 2012 | Report/Brief
The NTAR Leadership Center, March 2012. This report examines the potential impact of federal policy on work incentives for adults with disabilities in their sixties an late fifties.
Innovative Collaborations Between Workforce Boards and Employers Helped Meet Urgent Local Workforce Needs
February 2012 | Report/Brief
Government Accountability Office, February 2012 - Workforce board officials and their partners in 14 initiatives cited a range of factors that facilitated building innovative collaborations.
Fiscal Austerity and the Transition to 21st Century Employment Disability Policy: A Road Map
November 2011 | Report/Brief
Mathematica Policy Research Center for Studying Disability Policy, November 2011 - Systemic problems with the current support system for working-age people with disabilities are failing to meet the economic aspirations of this population and driving...
Moving TANF Recipients with Disabilities to Work: Examples of State Strategies
June 2011 | Report/Brief
The NTAR Leadership Center, June 2011. This brief examines activities available to move people with disabilities receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to employment.
Ready and Able: Addressing Labor Market Needs and Building Productive Careers for People with Disabilities Through Collaborative Approaches
April 2011 | Report/Brief
NTAR Leadership Center, Robert Nicholas, Ph.D., Ronnie Kauder, Kathy Krepcio, Daniel Baker, Ph.D. April 2011
- A Resource Developed by LEAD Center for ODEP
Webinars
Competitive Integrated Employment as a Civil Right for People with Disabilities
November 8, 2016
View the archive of this webinar for a discussion with presenters from the Department of Justice, Administration for Community Living (ACL) and APSE on how supporting transformation to competitive integrated employment aligns with changing laws and...
Implications of HCBS Final Rule on Non-Residential Settings – The Impact of New HCBS Guidance on Employment & Day Services
February 27, 2014
ODEP, in collaboration with the CMS Disability & Elderly Public Health Group will host two upcoming educational webinars for state policy-makers and disability policy stakeholders to discuss recent Federal policy guidance issued by CMS.
Innovative Strategies for Using Medicaid State Plan and Waiver Options to Promote Integrated Employment of People with Disabilities
February 20, 2014
ODEP, in collaboration with the CMS Disability & Elderly Public Health Group will host two upcoming educational webinars for state policy-makers and disability policy stakeholders to discuss recent Federal policy guidance issued by CMS.
Medicaid Managed Care and Its Implications on Employment Services
May 28, 2014
As states continue to transition their Medicaid systems into managed care models, numerous opportunities and risks to Medicaid-financed employment services have emerged.
National Employment First Website Launch
October 1, 2015
Are you interested in learning more about what is going on in other states relevant to Employment First but don’t know how to access the information?
New CMS Regulation on HCBS Settings: Implications for Employment Services
June 25, 2014
In the aftermath of CMS' recent regulation defining acceptable and unacceptable settings for Home and Community Based Services, states and stakeholders are now considering how to transition their service-provision systems into compliance with the
Promoting Leadership: Effective Strategies for Integrating Employment Outcomes and Services into Managed Care Models
September 25, 2013
During this webinar we will provide a brief overview on the emergence of managed care as the preferred model for delivering Medicaid-funded long-term supports to individuals with disabilities.
Redefining Home & Community Based Services: CMS Guidance on Non-Residential Services and its Implications for Employment
March 25, 2015
This webinar will include presenters from CMS and national subject matter experts, who will discuss the HCBS rule and its applications in supporting individuals with disabilities to seek and attain competitive integrated employment.
Rising to the Occasion: ADA, Olmstead and State Efforts to Promote Integrated Employment of Individuals with Significant Disabilities
July 16, 2014
One of the most historic legal decisions affecting the civil rights of people with disabilities celebrated its 15th anniversary on June 22nd. In 1999, the U.S.
WIOA Implementation Partnerships: The Important Role of Centers for Independent Living
March 24, 2016
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides new opportunities for American Job Centers (AJCs) to partner with Centers for Independent Living (CILs) leading to improved employment outcomes for job seekers with disabilities.
Policy Updates
CMS Releases National Data Report for 2012 on Demographics of Beneficiaries Receiving Medicaid-Funded Long-Term Services and Support
November 29, 2016
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released its report “Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports Beneficiaries in 2012,”
CMS RFI Seeks Information on How to Accelerate Access to Home and Community-Based Services
November 29, 2016
On November 9, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a Request for Information (RFI) entitled, “Medicaid Program Request for Information (RFI): Federal Government Interventions to Ensure the Provision of Timely and Q
Nation Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month
November 29, 2016
October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time during which many people reflect on both the progress that has been made towards the full employment of people with disabilities and the long way that we still have to go.
United States Department of Justice Releases Statement on Application of Title II of the ADA and Olmstead to State Employment Service Systems for Individuals with Disabilities
November 29, 2016
On October 31, 2016, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a statement on how the integration mandates of Title II of the Ameri
September HCBS Transition Plan Update
October 3, 2016
In September, the states of Iowa and Pennsylvania were granted initial approval of their HCBS Transition Plans by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Brooklyn Law School Files Federal Complaint Challenging Private Health Insurance Company
September 30, 2016
The Disability and Civil Rights Clinic at Brooklyn Law School recently filed a complaint against two health insurance companies, Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and EmblemHealth.
Illinois Passes New Employee Sick Leave Act Allowing Employees to Take Leave to Support Family Members’ Health Needs
September 30, 2016
The Illinois General Assembly recently passed House Bill 6162, or the Employee Sick Leave Act. The Employee Sick
Research on Disability Releases Monthly nTIDE Report and Webinar which Shows Rising Disability Employment
September 30, 2016
On September 2, 2016, Research on Disability, a coalition of disability-focused research projects at the Institute on Disability and University of New Hampshire, released their latest
LEAD On! Articles
News
Launch of the National Employment First Website
October 8, 2015
The platform provides a unique comprehensive resource for policymakers, researchers and external stakeholders to learn about national trends and activities in Employment First
Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October 1, 2015
The entire month of October, we will join countless nonprofits, organizations, all levels of government, and individuals with disabilities, their family and friends, as well as disability advocates raising awareness about disability employment...
Letter to Governors on Employment First
July 23, 2015
On July 21, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Tom Perez, joined by Delaware Governor Jack Markell and South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, sent a letter to governors of every state highlighting their commitment to advancing the Employment First...
LEAD Center Travels to Baltimore for Reinventing Quality 2014
August 6, 2014
From Aug. 3- 5, Baltimore, Maryland, served as host to the 2014 Reinventing Quality Conference.
LEAD Presents at 2014 Annual Conference on Independent Living
July 31, 2014
On July 31, LEAD Center Public Policy Lead and Executive Director of National Disability Institute (NDI) Michael Morris presented at the 2014 Annual Conference on Independent Living.
White House Office of Public Engagement to Hold Next Disability Community Call February 26th
February 21, 2014
The next White House Office of Public Engagement disability community conference call featuring a senior Administration official will take place on Wednesday, February 26, 3:00-4:00 PM EST.
LEAD Center Policy Roundtable Report Available
February 5, 2014
The LEAD Center released recently the report from its first bi-annual 2013 Policy Roundtable held July 17-18, 2013 in Washington, DC.
White House Office of Public Engagement to Hold Disability Community Call on Thursday, Jan. 30
January 29, 2014
This Thursday, January 30 at 3 p.m. ET the White House Office of Public Engagement will re-launch its disability community conference White House call featuring a senior Administration official.
New CMS Rule On Home and Community-Based Services Gives States Greater Flexibility to Serve the Disability Community
January 17, 2014
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released recently new regulations on state Medicaid home and community-based service (HCBS) programs.
LEAD Center and CILs Showcase Workforce Pilot at NCIL Conference
August 15, 2013
The LEAD Center and three Centers for Independent Living (CILs) participating in LEAD’s CIL Workforce Pilot highlighted the project and its work at the National Council for Independent Living’s (NCIL) recent national conference in Washington, D.C.
Blogs
High Expectations
October 17, 2016
I have a deep appreciation for my mom because she always had the courage to stand up for me.
From Screen to Society: How Television Increases Disability Inclusion
October 11, 2016
We may watch television to relax, but watching that screen can also widen our world view.
In The Know: The Impact of Employment on the Health Status and Health Care Costs of Working-age People with Disabilities
April 4, 2016
In the Know is a bi-monthly feature on the LEAD Center blog that highlights important resources and information about the employment, policy and economic advancement of people with disabilities.
In The Know: I'm In To Hire
February 19, 2016
I’m In To Hire is an initiative founded by Best Buddies International that aims to create a more inclusive workplace by promoting the business benefits of hiring those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
CMS’ New HCBS Regulations Opens the Door to Competitive Employment for People with Disabilities
October 9, 2015
As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), it is important that we take account of the incredible progress that has been made in the fight to ensure all people, including people with disabilities, have access to gainful...
In the Know: HCBS Advocacy
July 2, 2015
In January 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued final regulations on acceptable and unacceptable home and community based services (HCBS) settings.
In the Know - The Affordable Care Act and the I/DD Community: An Overview of the Law and Advocacy Priorities Going Forward
January 16, 2015
For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), access to health care has been a long-standing challenge.
In the Know: I'm In To Hire
November 25, 2014
In the Know is a bi-monthly feature on the LEAD Center blog that will highlight important resources and information about the employment, policy and economic advancement of people with disabilities.
Reflections on Roosevelt
October 31, 2014
Roosevelt Island lies in the East River between midtown Manhattan and Queens. In the early 1980’s, it was a planned development that brought together diverse communities and income levels,housing international diplomats as well as residents of its...
In the Know: A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities
October 9, 2014
As countless individuals with disabilities, their family and friends, disability advocates, allies and like-minded businesses and organizations join together to celebrate National Disab
Categories - Phone
Resources
- A Resource Developed by LEAD Center for ODEP
Kansas Employment First Oversight Commission 2015 Report to the Governor and Kansas Legislature
March 2015 | Report/Brief
State of Kansas
As detailed in this report, Kansas has undertaken several initiatives regarding employment for people with disabilities. The Commission believes these initiatives are positive developments and can be a catalyst for additional changes that can create...
I'm In To Hire
Website
A movement to unify the voices of employers, employees and similar-minded individuals in support of hiring the 85 percent of people with developmental disabilities who do not have a paid community job, Best Buddies'
Working for Adults: State Policies and Community College Practices to Better Serve Adult Learners at Community Colleges During the Great Recession and Beyond
June 2013 | Report/Brief
The NTAR Leadership Center, June 2013. This report examines how community colleges serve adults, identifies lessons from research on state policies and college practices to support adults and community colleges
Community College Practices that Serve Older Dislocated Workers
April 2013 | Report/Brief
The NTAR Leadership Center, April 2013. This brief examines strategies being used at five community colleges serving high numbers of dislocated workers and how the outlined practices meet the needs of older workers, some of whom may be aging with or...
Employment for People with Disabilities: Little Is Known about the Effectiveness of Fragmented and Overlapping Programs
June 2012 | Report/Brief
U.S. Government Accountability Office, June 2012 - This report examines the GAO’s identification of 45 federal programs that supported employment for people with disabilities in fiscal year 2010, and its finding of a fragmented system of services.
Impact of Federal Policies on an Aging Workforce with Disabilities
March 2012 | Report/Brief
The NTAR Leadership Center, March 2012. This report examines the potential impact of federal policy on work incentives for adults with disabilities in their sixties an late fifties.
Innovative Collaborations Between Workforce Boards and Employers Helped Meet Urgent Local Workforce Needs
February 2012 | Report/Brief
Government Accountability Office, February 2012 - Workforce board officials and their partners in 14 initiatives cited a range of factors that facilitated building innovative collaborations.
Fiscal Austerity and the Transition to 21st Century Employment Disability Policy: A Road Map
November 2011 | Report/Brief
Mathematica Policy Research Center for Studying Disability Policy, November 2011 - Systemic problems with the current support system for working-age people with disabilities are failing to meet the economic aspirations of this population and driving...
Moving TANF Recipients with Disabilities to Work: Examples of State Strategies
June 2011 | Report/Brief
The NTAR Leadership Center, June 2011. This brief examines activities available to move people with disabilities receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to employment.
Ready and Able: Addressing Labor Market Needs and Building Productive Careers for People with Disabilities Through Collaborative Approaches
April 2011 | Report/Brief
NTAR Leadership Center, Robert Nicholas, Ph.D., Ronnie Kauder, Kathy Krepcio, Daniel Baker, Ph.D. April 2011
- A Resource Developed by LEAD Center for ODEP
Webinars
Competitive Integrated Employment as a Civil Right for People with Disabilities
November 8, 2016
View the archive of this webinar for a discussion with presenters from the Department of Justice, Administration for Community Living (ACL) and APSE on how supporting transformation to competitive integrated employment aligns with changing laws and...
Implications of HCBS Final Rule on Non-Residential Settings – The Impact of New HCBS Guidance on Employment & Day Services
February 27, 2014
ODEP, in collaboration with the CMS Disability & Elderly Public Health Group will host two upcoming educational webinars for state policy-makers and disability policy stakeholders to discuss recent Federal policy guidance issued by CMS.
Innovative Strategies for Using Medicaid State Plan and Waiver Options to Promote Integrated Employment of People with Disabilities
February 20, 2014
ODEP, in collaboration with the CMS Disability & Elderly Public Health Group will host two upcoming educational webinars for state policy-makers and disability policy stakeholders to discuss recent Federal policy guidance issued by CMS.
Medicaid Managed Care and Its Implications on Employment Services
May 28, 2014
As states continue to transition their Medicaid systems into managed care models, numerous opportunities and risks to Medicaid-financed employment services have emerged.
National Employment First Website Launch
October 1, 2015
Are you interested in learning more about what is going on in other states relevant to Employment First but don’t know how to access the information?
New CMS Regulation on HCBS Settings: Implications for Employment Services
June 25, 2014
In the aftermath of CMS' recent regulation defining acceptable and unacceptable settings for Home and Community Based Services, states and stakeholders are now considering how to transition their service-provision systems into compliance with the
Promoting Leadership: Effective Strategies for Integrating Employment Outcomes and Services into Managed Care Models
September 25, 2013
During this webinar we will provide a brief overview on the emergence of managed care as the preferred model for delivering Medicaid-funded long-term supports to individuals with disabilities.
Redefining Home & Community Based Services: CMS Guidance on Non-Residential Services and its Implications for Employment
March 25, 2015
This webinar will include presenters from CMS and national subject matter experts, who will discuss the HCBS rule and its applications in supporting individuals with disabilities to seek and attain competitive integrated employment.
Rising to the Occasion: ADA, Olmstead and State Efforts to Promote Integrated Employment of Individuals with Significant Disabilities
July 16, 2014
One of the most historic legal decisions affecting the civil rights of people with disabilities celebrated its 15th anniversary on June 22nd. In 1999, the U.S.
WIOA Implementation Partnerships: The Important Role of Centers for Independent Living
March 24, 2016
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides new opportunities for American Job Centers (AJCs) to partner with Centers for Independent Living (CILs) leading to improved employment outcomes for job seekers with disabilities.
Policy Updates
CMS Releases National Data Report for 2012 on Demographics of Beneficiaries Receiving Medicaid-Funded Long-Term Services and Support
November 29, 2016
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released its report “Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports Beneficiaries in 2012,”
CMS RFI Seeks Information on How to Accelerate Access to Home and Community-Based Services
November 29, 2016
On November 9, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a Request for Information (RFI) entitled, “Medicaid Program Request for Information (RFI): Federal Government Interventions to Ensure the Provision of Timely and Q
Nation Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month
November 29, 2016
October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time during which many people reflect on both the progress that has been made towards the full employment of people with disabilities and the long way that we still have to go.
United States Department of Justice Releases Statement on Application of Title II of the ADA and Olmstead to State Employment Service Systems for Individuals with Disabilities
November 29, 2016
On October 31, 2016, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a statement on how the integration mandates of Title II of the Ameri
September HCBS Transition Plan Update
October 3, 2016
In September, the states of Iowa and Pennsylvania were granted initial approval of their HCBS Transition Plans by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Brooklyn Law School Files Federal Complaint Challenging Private Health Insurance Company
September 30, 2016
The Disability and Civil Rights Clinic at Brooklyn Law School recently filed a complaint against two health insurance companies, Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and EmblemHealth.
Illinois Passes New Employee Sick Leave Act Allowing Employees to Take Leave to Support Family Members’ Health Needs
September 30, 2016
The Illinois General Assembly recently passed House Bill 6162, or the Employee Sick Leave Act. The Employee Sick
Research on Disability Releases Monthly nTIDE Report and Webinar which Shows Rising Disability Employment
September 30, 2016
On September 2, 2016, Research on Disability, a coalition of disability-focused research projects at the Institute on Disability and University of New Hampshire, released their latest
LEAD On! Articles
News
Launch of the National Employment First Website
October 8, 2015
The platform provides a unique comprehensive resource for policymakers, researchers and external stakeholders to learn about national trends and activities in Employment First
Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October 1, 2015
The entire month of October, we will join countless nonprofits, organizations, all levels of government, and individuals with disabilities, their family and friends, as well as disability advocates raising awareness about disability employment...
Letter to Governors on Employment First
July 23, 2015
On July 21, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Tom Perez, joined by Delaware Governor Jack Markell and South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, sent a letter to governors of every state highlighting their commitment to advancing the Employment First...
LEAD Center Travels to Baltimore for Reinventing Quality 2014
August 6, 2014
From Aug. 3- 5, Baltimore, Maryland, served as host to the 2014 Reinventing Quality Conference.
LEAD Presents at 2014 Annual Conference on Independent Living
July 31, 2014
On July 31, LEAD Center Public Policy Lead and Executive Director of National Disability Institute (NDI) Michael Morris presented at the 2014 Annual Conference on Independent Living.
White House Office of Public Engagement to Hold Next Disability Community Call February 26th
February 21, 2014
The next White House Office of Public Engagement disability community conference call featuring a senior Administration official will take place on Wednesday, February 26, 3:00-4:00 PM EST.
LEAD Center Policy Roundtable Report Available
February 5, 2014
The LEAD Center released recently the report from its first bi-annual 2013 Policy Roundtable held July 17-18, 2013 in Washington, DC.
White House Office of Public Engagement to Hold Disability Community Call on Thursday, Jan. 30
January 29, 2014
This Thursday, January 30 at 3 p.m. ET the White House Office of Public Engagement will re-launch its disability community conference White House call featuring a senior Administration official.
New CMS Rule On Home and Community-Based Services Gives States Greater Flexibility to Serve the Disability Community
January 17, 2014
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released recently new regulations on state Medicaid home and community-based service (HCBS) programs.
LEAD Center and CILs Showcase Workforce Pilot at NCIL Conference
August 15, 2013
The LEAD Center and three Centers for Independent Living (CILs) participating in LEAD’s CIL Workforce Pilot highlighted the project and its work at the National Council for Independent Living’s (NCIL) recent national conference in Washington, D.C.
Blogs
High Expectations
October 17, 2016
I have a deep appreciation for my mom because she always had the courage to stand up for me.
From Screen to Society: How Television Increases Disability Inclusion
October 11, 2016
We may watch television to relax, but watching that screen can also widen our world view.
In The Know: The Impact of Employment on the Health Status and Health Care Costs of Working-age People with Disabilities
April 4, 2016
In the Know is a bi-monthly feature on the LEAD Center blog that highlights important resources and information about the employment, policy and economic advancement of people with disabilities.
In The Know: I'm In To Hire
February 19, 2016
I’m In To Hire is an initiative founded by Best Buddies International that aims to create a more inclusive workplace by promoting the business benefits of hiring those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
CMS’ New HCBS Regulations Opens the Door to Competitive Employment for People with Disabilities
October 9, 2015
As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), it is important that we take account of the incredible progress that has been made in the fight to ensure all people, including people with disabilities, have access to gainful...
In the Know: HCBS Advocacy
July 2, 2015
In January 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued final regulations on acceptable and unacceptable home and community based services (HCBS) settings.
In the Know - The Affordable Care Act and the I/DD Community: An Overview of the Law and Advocacy Priorities Going Forward
January 16, 2015
For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), access to health care has been a long-standing challenge.
In the Know: I'm In To Hire
November 25, 2014
In the Know is a bi-monthly feature on the LEAD Center blog that will highlight important resources and information about the employment, policy and economic advancement of people with disabilities.
Reflections on Roosevelt
October 31, 2014
Roosevelt Island lies in the East River between midtown Manhattan and Queens. In the early 1980’s, it was a planned development that brought together diverse communities and income levels,housing international diplomats as well as residents of its...
In the Know: A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities
October 9, 2014
As countless individuals with disabilities, their family and friends, disability advocates, allies and like-minded businesses and organizations join together to celebrate National Disab