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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 08 2017 Employment Trends and Issues Minutes MEETING MINUTES Employment Trends and Issues for Individuals with Disabilities Subcommittee December 8, 2017 10:30 AM St. Croix County Services Center Rm 172 St. Croix County Services Center - 1752 Dorset Lane, New Richmond, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Dave Ostness St. Croix County Supervisor Present Paulette Anderson St. Croix County Chair Present Laurie Pelnar St. Croix County Committee Member Present James Schreiber St. Croix County Vice Chair Present George Zaske St. Croix County Committee Member Present Others present were Brad Beckman, Aging and Disability Resource Center Administrator; Fred Johnson, Health and Human Services Director; Natalie Carlsten, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with Department of Workforce Development. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the November 10, 2017 were reviewed and approved as written. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Supervisor Anderson opened the floor for public comment. There was no public comment presented. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Natalie Carlsten, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Beckman introduced Natalie Carlsten to the committee. Carlsten is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Committee members were provided with brochures and other materials regarding DVR. DVR is a referral source and coordinator of services and assists consumers in finding employment. Once a consumer is able to obtain employment and a consumer is in need of services/needs to assist them, DVR can cover those costs if the service is necessary for continued employment. DVR will also help cover the cost of a job coach for the consumer if needed to assist while the consumer is employed, however it is temporary coaching. The job coaches contracted through DVR are trained on how to coach individuals in the community, DVR cannot just hire a consumer’s family member to be a coach. DVR has referred consumers to the ADRC to see if the consumer qualifies for long term funding through Family Care to pay for the items that DVR was covering. Carlsten explained there are many ways a person can be referred to DVR – self or agency referral completed either by paper, electronic or online. There has been a new push to work with high schools and transitioning students into the work force due to the new law – Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. A new part of the Act requires that any individual with a disability under the age of 25, must be referred to DVR before entering into employment at a sheltered workshop like ESR. DVR is working with businesses to help create employer relationships between DVR and them. A new position was created – Business Services Consultant – to work with businesses and attending chamber meetings to reach out to employers. A question was raised as to why the number of those obtaining employment is low, Carlsten explained sometimes it comes down to personal experience and lack of understanding social security benefits or understanding a benefits analysis. The question of barriers was raised as well, Carlsten stated that transportation is a huge barrier. 2. Research People First Wisconsin St. Croix County Chapter – Utilization of Entity for Consulting and Coaching Opportunities for Business/Government Committee members received a handout regarding People First Wisconsin Cares About Employment in Wisconsin. The group is new in St. Croix County and is an advocacy group focusing on finding meaningful work for individuals who have a disability in their communities. Council members were provided with a handout on People First Wisconsin. 3. Scope of Work Plan for Employment Trends and Issues for Individuals with Disabilities Subcommittee Chair Anderson tabled the agenda item since there is a need for more information before determining the focus. A possible structure to look at would be: system/policy; family; community/business; support and how to deal with each of those areas. REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Medicaid – St. Croix County Economic Support ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE None DATE OF NEXT MEETING Friday, January 12, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.