Policy & Practice October 2018

Staff also needs to know who on their caseloads is on SSI, who is approaching age 18 redetermination, and emphasize the message that disability does not mean inability to work. Youth on SSI should be encouraged and supported to access pre-employment transition services (Pre-ets) from vocational rehabilitation. Note that not all youth on SSI have IEPs and they do not have to have an IEP to be eligible for Pre-ets. America’s Job Centers (formerly One Stop Career Centers) are another important resource for out-of-school youth (up to age 26; other services are available for individuals older than 26), whether or not they have a disability that can connect them to training and other resources to aid in employment. SSI may be an important short- term step to provide a steady stream of income to a family in need, but it should never be viewed as the only option, particularly for children under age 18. Disability should never be viewed as synonymous with not being able to work. Helping direct staff understand the resources and information available, making certain they actively engage youth and family members, and always talking about work from the framework of how rather than if a person can work, are important starting points for changing the narrative and beginning to break the cycle of poverty for individuals with disabilities. For more information on how youth on SSI and other individuals with dis- abilities can work and the resources available to help in your state, visit https://www.ssa.gov/redbook/eng/ resources-youth.htm or http://www. promisetacenter.org/home Reference Notes 1. Brennan-Curry, A. (2018). nTIDE June 2018 Jobs Report: Modest Downturn in Jobs Ends Extended Run for Americans with Disabilities. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/2xBt6gR 2. Nord, D., & Nye-Lengerman, K. (2015). Employment for people with disabilities in poverty: A need for national attention. Policy Research Brief, 25 (1), Minneapolis,

Incentives Planning and Assistance is available to anyone seeking informa- tion on how to work while minimizing or eliminating any impact on SSI. Changing Your Narrative and the Narrative and Work of Your Staff A new narrative on poverty, disability, and employment needs to be developed to address the myths and miscon- ceptions. While data are still being collected, PROMISE already shows evidence that an emphasis on employ- ment and higher expectations can change outcomes for youth on SSI. But systems that support youth on SSI and their families need to change as well. Many youth on SSI and their families do not participate in IEP meetings and thus miss out on impor- tant resources and connections. Staff should encourage families and youth to participate in IEP meetings and take advantage of transition planning and services that support employment.

were able to participate in paid work. Job coaches and other supports were also critical supports. Benefits Counseling/Financial Capability. The low unemployment rates of child and adult SSI recipients are often driven by a fear of benefit reduction or loss of Medicaid. 8 There are a number of work incentives avail- able to youth and families on SSI to increase their earnings without nega- tively impacting benefits, such as the Student Earned Income Exclusion, Plan to Achieve Self Sufficiency, Medicaid Buy In, and others. Community Work Incentive Coordinators are trained to assist youth and families in navigating these options. Given how little monthly income SSI provides, and how generous the work incentives are, most people on SSI are likely to be better off finan- cially by working. Many SSI recipients also need support in managing their finances effectively. Financial education and one-on-one coaching is provided; as their incomes increase, families are also able to save and follow a budget. While PROMISE youth received these services as an intervention, Work

MN: Research and Training Center on Community Living at the University of Minnesota.

See Work on page 36

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October 2018   Policy&Practice