Work Ability: Utah Technical Assistance and Evaluation
Project Description:
Project Context:
Since 2000, the Utah Department of Health (UDOH), in collaboration with the State Office of Rehabilitation, the Department of Workforce Services, the State Office of Education, the Division of Services for People with Disabilities, and the Center for Person with Disabilities has worked to increase the employment and health care outcomes for people with disabilities in Utah.
The overall goal of the Work Ability Utah project is to create a comprehensive, consumer-responsive system of work supports that will increase employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities in Utah. This program strives to link employers in the business community with a qualified workforce.
Their goals include increased communication, reduction of barriers, and creation of a comprehensive system of work incentives and supports for both the employer and the individual with disabilities.
Project Focus:
Work Ability has a goal to help people with disabilities find and retain competitive employment. Work Ability created a strategic plan to guide the future development of a comprehensive system of employment support for people with disabilities in Utah.
This strategic plan includes the following components:
1) Public agencies work to improve and sustain the infrastructure of employment supports including benefits planning, personal assistance, and health care benefits for people with disabilities who work.
2) Employers employ more individuals with disabilities through the creation and growth of Utah Business Employer Team (UBET). Job seekers with disabilities will connect to Utah's labor market through new information technology with a special focus on youth transitioning from school to work.
3) A research and demonstration project examined the effectiveness of gradual reduction of benefits for SSDI beneficiaries who work in cooperation with the Social Security Administration.
4) The State of Utah developed an integrated data system to permit agencies to track the effectiveness of publicly-funded employment programs for people with disabilities. A communications plan expanded on the public awareness campaign of Work Ability: Opening Doors to Work.
The Utah Department of Health administers the Work Ability project. A four-person management team is responsible for oversight of the grant, comprised of top level managers in the Utah Department of Health, Department of Workforce Services, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, and State Office of Education. The Utah Department of Health has sub-contracted with the CPD to provide technical assistance for the Work Ability Utah project participants.
FY 2012 Focus:
The CPD will:
1) Provide assistance in the development of research and evaluation of the efforts of Work Ability Utah
2) Provide technical assistance and training to the staff and partners of the Work Ability Utah Project to enhance employment and health care outcomes for individuals with disabilities in Utah
3) Provide web site maintenance for Work Ability Utah.
Keyword(s):
Medicaid, Employment, Systems Change
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Health-Related Activities, Employment-Related Activities, Quality of Life
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Reservation, Rural/Remote, Urban
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
