job searching, self-employment support, supported employment, and other services. The Department’s education of and collaboration with persons with disabilities, family members, providers, Supports Coordinators, employers, and other state agencies needs to be systematic and widespread. Participants also need opportunities to learn about work incentives and maintaining benefits while working. 8 A decision is needed to implement a statewide system for a The ODP consulted with the Statewide Employment Leadership robust data collection to measure change during each fiscal Network (SELN) to determine what data should be collected and how to year in both quantitative and qualitative measures. Reports capture it using enhancements to our current system or a stand-alone should be made public. system for data collection. Reports will be made to the public when this is completed. *One other similar comment was received The ODP will be using many of the features of the EmployStat System EmployStat used in Philadelphia and Chester County is an used in Philadelphia and Chester County in enhancements to our existing data system that has many of the required features current system or a stand-alone system. and could be modified as needed and expanded for statewide use. Too much time has already been lost; another year of data will be lost. At a minimum, collect provider data to establish a baseline for this year. 9 We encourage ODP to add the necessary employment The transition plans currently reflect exploration of employment data information fields to current data collection systems as quickly collection systems and the timeframes in which ODP believes this can as possible. be accomplished. 10 Examine best practices for providing employment supports. The ODP plans to engage providers to identify changes needed to the Develop plans with providers in how to build skills through current system to increase employment outcomes. training and technical assistance, in providing employment services and home and community habilitation services. Engage providers in identifying what is necessary to accomplish the desired outcomes and developing strategies to be successful. Without adequate attention to building capacity, the service system will not meet the needs of the individuals it is intended to serve.
job searching, self-employment support, supported employment, and other services. The Department’s education of and collaboration with persons with disabilities, family members, providers, Supports Coordinators, employers, and other state agencies needs to be systematic and widespread. Participants also need opportunities to learn about work incentives and maintaining benefits while working. 8 A decision is needed to implement a statewide system for a robust data collection to measure change during each fiscal year in both quantitative and qualitative measures. Reports should be made public. *One other similar comment was received EmployStat used in Philadelphia and Chester County is an existing data system that has many of the required features and could be modified as needed and expanded for statewide use. Too much time has already been lost; another year of data will be lost. At a minimum, collect provider data to establish a baseline for this year. The ODP consulted with the Statewide Employment Leadership Network (SELN) to determine what data should be collected and how to capture it using enhancements to our current system or a stand-alone system for data collection. Reports will be made to the public when this is completed. The ODP will be using many of the features of the EmployStat System used in Philadelphia and Chester County in enhancements to our current system or a stand-alone system. 9 We encourage ODP to add the necessary employment information fields to current data collection systems as quickly as possible. The transition plans currently reflect exploration of employment data collection systems and the timeframes in which ODP believes this can be accomplished. 10 Examine best practices for providing employment supports. Develop plans with providers in how to build skills through training and technical assistance, in providing employment services and home and community habilitation services. Engage providers in identifying what is necessary to accomplish the desired outcomes and developing strategies to be successful. Without adequate attention to building capacity, the service system will not meet the needs of the individuals it is intended to serve. The ODP plans to engage providers to identify changes needed to the current system to increase employment outcomes.
c_164064.docx