History
The history of Employment First in Ohio has included broad stakeholder input, activities have been implemented to support the ongoing paradigm shift in our culture to one that truly recognizes and embraces the contributions and capabilities of people with developmental disabilities.
2011
- Building a Bridge Phase I (2011-2014)
- Ohio joins the State Employment Leadership Network (SELN) with support from DD Council
- SELN collects input from stakeholders and issues Findings and Observations Report
- Stakeholders convene and urge for an Employment First directive.
Mar. 2012
July 2012
- Supported Employment-Community service rate increases by 40%
- Ohio adopts Employment First in statute
- ODE introduces new IEP requirements to strengthen transition planning
Mar. 2013
- Employment First Website launches
June 2013
- Inaugural Employment First Conference takes place to sold-out crowd
July 2013
- Employment First statute creates the presumption that all people are capable of community employment
- Employment First line item is established
- Taskforce Common Principles agreement is signed by state directors
- The Advisory Committee Training Workgroup developed the Local Leaders project to identify the needs of local communities and develop action plans to address the identified needs. Six communities were selected to participate in Local Leaders in 2014-2015
Sept. 2013
Dec. 2013
Jan. 2014
- CMS published a final rule to change HCBS waiver provisions to convey expectations regarding person-centered plans of care and to provide characteristics of settings that are home and community-based.
Feb. 2014
- Employment First Outcome Tracking System deploys
- Ohio’s Path to Employment First report generated to summarize the activities implemented since the Employment First Executive Order was signed.
Aug. 2014
- Employment First Fact Sheet developed to be shared with employers and businesses.
July 2016
- Employment Navigation Technical Assistance Liaison Project launched to help build capacity and a network of support for Service and Support Administrators (SSAs) in County Boards functioning as Employment Navigators
April 2017
- Ohio’s HCBS waiver day and employment services amended to further incentivize community employment, including rate modifications and new individualized Career Planning services.
Sept. 2017
- A workgroup was established to generate information about the range of practices being used in Ohio to pay individuals enrolled in adult employment services and review legislation, rule, and Technical Guidance pertaining to payment to individuals.
- Workgroup developed guidance distributed in June, 2018.
Aug. 2018
- Payment in Adult Day and Employment Services Workgroup reconvened to ensure systemic compliance with both service and compensation standards
Jan. 2020
- Blueprint for Adult Day and Employment Services Workgroup formed to create recommendations to make necessary improvements, updates, and changes to adult day support services and competitive, integrated employment supports.
July 2021
- Final Blueprint Proposal providing recommendations for improving adult day support services, transportation services, and strengthening competitive integrated employment outcomes.