Becoming an Employment Network Emily Malsch Ticket to Work Program Specialist, CESSI

1. Becoming an Employment NetworkEmily MalschTicket to Work Program Specialist, CESSI

2. Where Can I Get the EN RFP? Download the EN Request for Proposal (RFP): http://www.ssa.gov/work/enrfp.html

3. What Do You Need to Complete the EN RFP? 1. Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as the Taxpayer ID # (TIN) 2. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number - Contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711 or apply online at www.dnb.com 3. Register DUNS number on the Central Contractor Registration website- www.ccr.gov 4. Bank Account for Direct Deposit of EN payments 5. Completed Cover Letter & Security Clearance Forms- all EN employees must receive security clearance to work under this contract

4. Tips on Completing the EN RFP • Download & complete the RFP on your computer- it’s in an MS Word format • Do not mail your RFP! Send via: • Email: ENcontracts@ssa.gov; or • Fax: 1-410-597-0429 • The cover letter of RFP provides information on how to contact SSA

5. State EN Model State Workforce Agency = EN of Record Completes the RFP; Maintains security, insurance and bank account requirements; submits IWP and payment requests to MAXIMUS. One Stop Career Centers = EN Location sites Works with beneficiaries to develop IWP and provides services. May work with local businesses to develop jobs. All payments go though EN of Record.

6. Regional EN Model Single entity with 1 EN location or multiple EN locations - Single entity could be either a LWIB or One Stop Operator - Completes the RFP; maintains security, insurance and bank account requirements; submits IWP and payment requests to MAXIMUS Works with beneficiaries to develop IWP and provides services.

7. Taking a Closer Look at the RFP Part II- Statement of Work- Section , pgs 5-8 Describes the general and specific EN requirements List items to submit as proof of EN qualifications Highlights entities precluded from becoming an EN

8. Exemptions WIBs/LWIBs/One Stop Career Centers established under WIA are pre-qualified to become ENs and therefore exempt from submitting: 1. Proof of EN Qualifications 2. Proof of General Business or Professional Liability Insurance

9. How the Ticket Works Part II, Section 2, pg 8-9 EN & Beneficiary Connect; Ticket eligibility is confirmed EN & Beneficiary negotiate a Plan (IWP) and submit signed copy to OSM IWP approved; Ticket officially assigned EN Submits Payment Request to Maximus & Gets Paid (30 days +/-) EN Provides Services & Supports to Complete Negotiated IWP Beneficiary Goes to Work & EN Collects Evidence of Earnings

10. Section 3: Individual Work Plan pg 9-12 Mutual Agreement Outlines services to be provided Sharing of wage data How to resolve disputes Supports available Timeline for submitting Can use an equivalent plan already in use IWP Tutorial Available: http://www.yourtickettowork.com/training_2

11. Part II, Section 4- EN and VR pg 12-13 EN Ticket referral process to State VR agencies Partnership Plus: New Model Steps to resolving agreement disputes between the EN and State VR Agency

12. Partnership Plus – Put Simply When a State VR Agency serves a consumer under CR and closes that case with the individual employed, an EN can accept the individual’s Ticket to provide follow-along services and begin collecting milestone/outcome payments in Phase 2.

13. Part II, Section 5 & 6 pg 13-15 EN Responsibilities: Explanation of services Protection and Advocacy information Development of Individual Work Plan Process for resolving disputes Annual Progress Reviews Protection of privacy and confidentiality of records Security clearances for EN employees

14. Part II, Section 7 pg 15-16 EN Start Up and Ongoing Training Provided by OSM, MAXIMUS Orientation Training Call Between newly awarded EN, CESSI, & MAXIMUS Ticket Training Tuesdays Series; view schedule at http://www.yourtickettowork.com/training Ticket Toolkit: http://www.yourtickettowork.com/training_2

15. Part II, Section 8 pg 16-18 Dispute Resolutions Resolving Disputes between Beneficiaries and ENs IWP critical, once signed, standing agreement OSM assistance P&A Resolving Disputes between EN and OSM May be referred to SSA if cannot be resolved

16. Part II, Section 9 pg 18 EN Performance - SSA may perform special reviews of an EN’s payment request patterns and payment history, as well as the job retention rates of beneficiaries served, to determine if the EN is effectively supporting beneficiaries in achieving and retaining self-supporting employment. - Performance standards would relate to the EN's responsiveness to beneficiaries progress in supporting beneficiaries in achieving and retaining self-supporting employment

17. Part II, Section 10 pg 18-20 Reporting Requirements EN Responsibilities adhered to Documentation of Ticket assignments and terminations IWP signed, in file Agreements submitted Annual Performance and Outcome Report provides information on EN outcomes Contract Changes: http://www.yourtickettowork.com/selftraining/EN_Contract_Change_Form_102909.doc

18. TTW provides EN payments when a beneficiary attains the prescribed Milestones and Outcomes (moving towards self-supporting employment), not for costs of services rendered. Two Payment Options Milestone Outcome Outcome (only) Part II, Section 11 pg 20-25

19. Part II, Section 11E Requesting EN Payments, pg 23-25 An EN bills MAXIMUS as the beneficiaries they are serving attain designated Milestones and Outcomes as they move towards self-supporting employment ENs have 3 options for submitting for payments Evidentiary: Submit EN Payment Request Form and direct evidence of earnings such as pay stubs or an employer-prepared and signed statement of earnings (payments made in 30 to 45 days) Certification: Submit EN Payment Request Form and secondary evidence of earnings (e.g., confirm contact with beneficiary or employer, information from the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH), an Earnings Inquiry Request, or a Self-Employment income Form. EN must sign a repayment agreement) Auto Pay (Outcome payments only) Must submit Auto Pay Request Form and SSA uses their data systems and records to verify earnings (e.g., NDNH, disability status information, etc.). Can take 9 months or more to get paid. EN must sign a “blanket” repayment agreement.

20. Guide to EN Payments For more EN payment process resources please visit: http://www.yourtickettowork.com/payment_options

21. Part II, Section 12pg. 25-26 Understanding & Compliance- Signing of SF1449: - Abide by all requirements & terms of contract Read/understands RFP Comply with federal regulations Agrees to cooperate with SSA, OSM EN subcontractors meets all requirements in Part II, Section 1 and 6

22. Part III Contract Clauses Reviews and explains EN contract terms and conditions Reviews liability insurance requirements (pg. 37) Explains the EN Security and Suitability Requirements (pg. 39)

23. Part III Contract Clauses, Section 5-Hpg. 39-45 Paragraph H: EN Security and Suitability Requirements Purpose of this clause is to provide SSA policies and procedures re: background investigations Investigations are to determine the suitability of the EN to acquire, handle, and have access to beneficiary info

24. Security & Suitability Process Accompanying the following forms must be a cover letter that provides: EN name, mailing address, EIN, and list of employees submitting the forms Optional Form 306- Declaration for Federal Employment: All employees working with beneficiaries - as well as Signatory Authority- http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf) If interested in Beneficiary Referral CD the CD Manager must complete in addition to OF306: Form FD-258, Applicant Fingerprint Chart Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Authorization Form Standard Form (SF) 85, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions

25. Part IV EN Proposal Documentation Requirements, pg 62 EN Application Begins Here! Form 1449 will be page 1 of your EN Proposal (pg 63-64) Box 17a: Offeror Name, Address, Phone, and Tax ID/EIN number Box 17b if applicable Box 30 a, b, c: signature and date

26. Section 2: EN Information Sheetpg 65-73 SECTION 2: EN INFORMATION SHEET A. OFFEROR’S NAME (name of organization/entity submitting proposal): B. NAME OF EMPLOYMENT NETWORK (if different from item A above): C. EN’S EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN): must be issued in the name of the Offeror EN’S DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER & CCR Registration: DUNS must be issued in the Offeror’s Name shown in Item A and this DUNS number must be registered on CCR.GOV

27. Central Contractor Registration (CCR) CCR is the primary vendor database for the U.S. Federal Government CCR registration is federally mandated CCR registration is a prerequisite before bidding on a federal contract Must maintain your CCR records annually

28. Section 2 continued ADDRESS (no post office boxes): Offeror/EN address F. MAILING ADDRESS (if different from above. May be post office box.) G. LOCATION OF SERVICES: Verify where services are provided H. EN DIRECTORY CONTACT INFORMATION: Beneficiary POC, to be listed on the EN Directory; do have the option of not appearing in directory I. OTHER EN CONTACTS: If different contact (than listed in H) for other program/contract inquiries; POC for MAXIMUS; person listed in this section is authorized to make contract changes

29. Section 2 continued J. SERVICE AREA: Please check one only. This will be listed in the online EN Directory and you may be contacted by beneficiaries living in the service area you designate. [ ] National (serving all states and U.S. Territories) [ ] Multi-State (list all states you will serve using the 2-letter state abbreviation) [ ] Single State (list the state using the 2-letter state abbreviation) K. CORPORATE STATUS (check all that apply)

30. Section 2 continued L. TYPE OF ORGANIZATION M. PREFERRED IMPAIRMENT GROUPS SERVED N. SERVICES OFFERED O. EN PAYMENT SYSTEM ELECTION: Reference Part II, Section 11of RFP P. EN QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS: Reference Part II, Section 1, of RFP Q. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY INSURANCE: Reference Part II, Section 1 and Part III, Section 5 R. SIGNATORY AUTHORITY : the EN official authorized to request contract changes

31. Section 3: Addendum pg 74 One Addendum for each additional service location Each location will be listed separately in the EN directory

32. Section 4: ACH Form pg 76-77 Electronic Transfer Form; required, allows for electronic payment of EN funds to EN business account EN name must be on the account Complete only Payee/Company Information Box and the Financial Institution Box ACH Coordinator Name = name of person who signed the form, which will be a bank representative Depositor Account Title = name the account is in, the name that appears on your checks Must be signed by the Bank

33. Section 5- Reps & Certspg 78-94 Last section to be completed! Complete only paragraph (b) if completed annual reps and certs online- http://orca.bpn.gov If you plan to apply for future federal contracts, complete ORCA, eliminates need to complete Reps & Certs for the future contract If not online, complete paragraphs (c), (d), (h) where applicable

34. Section 6: EN RFP Checklistpg 95 For your use only, does not need to be submitted with your proposal List exactly what a complete EN RFP package contains Suggest taking this page out and placing it at the beginning

35. Contact Emily Malsch, CESSI’s Ticket to Work Program Specialist Email: emalsch@cessi.net Phone: (703) 448-6155, x203 Additional help is available through SSA’s EN Contracts Team (ENCT) Email: ENContracts@ssa.gov Phone: (866) 584-5180 Need Help Completing the EN RFP?

36. Additional Resources

37. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) • SSA approved organizations that assist beneficiaries in making informed choices about work • Trained to provide information about work and work incentives • Can answer questions about how work will affect a beneficiary’s federal, state and local benefits • Can help beneficiaries find resources and services to achieve their employment goals • WIPA services are free! • Find the WIPA in your area at: www.socialsecurity.gov/work

38. Protection and Advocacy Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) • State Protection & Advocacy Systems receive funds from SSA to provide • Information, advocacy services & legal advice on employment services and rights protection • Information and support during the job application process, and following job placement

39. What Are WISE? • Work Incentives Seminar Events (WISE) are hosted by local WIPA • At a WISE beneficiaries are invited to • Learn about the Ticket program and other SSA work incentives • Meet with community partners who can assist with transition to work • Great opportunity for ENs to meet Ticket Holders who are motivated to seek employment • To learn when a WISE event is happening in your area, visit: www.chooseworkttw.net

40. Resource for beneficiaries Work Incentive Information and Referral Center (WIIRC) • Provide general benefits information • Provide work incentives information depending on Ticket Holder entitlement • Refer Ticket Holders to WIPA if they are actively seeking employment or already working > (866) 968-7842, Option 3

41. Choosework.net Check out the Choose Work web site at: www.choosework.net First national broadcast hub for the Ticket Program, including: Ticket Program basics Informative video Success stories Online WISE Local employment resources by region

42. Choose Work Web Site

43. Learn More! • Listen to archived Ticket webinars at: http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/m-cessi-webinars.cfm • Listen to the archived Ticket teleconference series for the Workforce System at: http://cessi.net/ttw/EN/one_stops/onestop.asp#resources

44. Learn More About Partnership Plus Check out the online Partnership Plus Toolkit at: http://PartnershipPlus.cessi.net

45. And Finally! For more information on the Ticket to Work program: • SSA’s Work Site: www.socialsecurity.gov/work • The Choose Work site: http://www.choosework.net • MAXIMUS’ Ticket to Work website: www.yourtickettowork.com Or, call MAXIMUS at: 1-866-949-ENVR (3687)