BENEFITS PLANNING I: NEW OPPORTUNITIES WITH WIPA GRANTS FROM SSA

1. 1 BENEFITS PLANNING I: NEW OPPORTUNITIES WITHWIPA GRANTS FROM SSA Maine�s Experience 2000 - present

2. 2 Context � MIG Project In operation since 2000 Operated out of University of So. Maine In partnership with two state agencies, Medicaid agency (MIG grant recipient) and Dept. of Labor Now in 2nd year of CEO grant Support role for Benefits Counseling System came early Coordination and research/development support role Funding support, early through �SOS Employment Emergency Fund

3. 3 The Beginning - Resources Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach One provider in Maine; First award in 2001 Sub state focus 2 counselors Department of Labor Award to Alpha One (Maine�s CIL) First award in 2001 from USDOL/ETA Sub state focus � 6 coastal counties 2 counselors Operated 1/1/2001 � 6/30/2003 PABSS Started with one person providing benefits counseling

4. 4 The Beginning � State Coordination Maine�s Vocational Rehabilitation Agency: Stepped in to Moderate Discussion Meeting convened August 2000 Interests Benefits Providers/Grant Applicants SSA MIG Initially tried to create 2 benefits positions Ended up providing funding to the two largest providers to create the two new positions

5. 5 The Beginning � A Plan Emerges Commitment to provide statewide coverage Additional Funding from State VR Agency $50k for each provider PABSS grant to provide direct counseling as well 7th counselor MIG Support Role Initial indirect funding support started through SOS Fund

6. 6 MIG Role Evolves Convening Role VR agency, for variety of reasons, steps out of this role Funding Support SOS Fund � initially stand-alone, not tied to benefits counseling Next step was direct funding support, but only for travel, supplies, other non-personnel $$ Led to current direct funding support for benefits counseling services Building a State System Identifying; Defining Role of Lead State Agency Building Awareness

7. 7 MIG Convening Role Bring together counselors/managers from separate provider agencies Started strategic planning activities well before CEO Identify Maine-based resources, needs for system development Identify National resources for system development NCHSD Technical Assistance, esp. resource mapping, benefits counseling policies and practices from other states Cornell technical support This role well established as CEO Strategic Planning Began Excellent data on needs, resources and potential led to strong support by Strategic Planning leadership group

8. 8 Funding � BPAO Era

9. 9 Counselor FTEs � BPAO Era

10. 10 Funding � WIPA Era

11. 11 Counselor FTEs � WIPA Era

12. 12 MIG Role - System Planning Data Collection Research and Planning Support Policy Development Public Awareness Other?

13. 13 MIG Role - System Planning Data Collection Services provided BPAO data combined with other benefits services VR Comprehensive Needs Assessment

14. 14 MIG Data Analysis:Statewide Service Coverage

15. 15 MIG Role - System Planning Policy Development Lead State Agency Respective Agency Interests/Roles Coordination and Planning Certification

16. 16 What�s Next?? Areas of support Maine�s MIG is looking at: Other service delivery options Better information and training on Maine-specific benefits Better use of current technology to extend range of trained counselors Better outreach tools Exploring development; use of on-line calculators