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About Project SUCCESS

SUCCESS PROJECT ABSTRACT
Strategies Utilizing Collaboration for Competitive Employment
And Self-Sufficiency

In October of 2000, the late Missouri Governor, Mel Carnahan, acknowledged the charter members of our Consortium with a special award for "Achievement and Excellence in Collaboration and Integration". This recognition is validation that a solid foundation is in place to carry out the initiatives of this proposal.


Building on our experience, The Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, as a member of an expanded Consortium including: the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Division of Adult and Vocational Education; the Department of Social Services Divisions of Family Services and Medical Services; the Department of Economic Development Division of Workforce Development; the Department of Mental Health and Advent Enterprises, Inc., a community rehabilitation program, has developed a demonstration Project for systems change to expand employment opportunities for individuals with mental and/or physical disabilities, who receive public support. The Project is entitled "Strategies Utilizing Collaboration for Competitive Employment and Self Sufficiency (SUCCESS). Over 20 private and public organizations providing support to persons with disabilities are cooperative partners in the proposal. This pilot Project is being developed for the Missouri Career Center (one-stop) located in Columbia, with the intention to exhibit promising new strategies for replication across Missouri's 14 Workforce Investment Regions and eventually other states nation-wide. Goals of Project SUCCESS are to:

The innovative service delivery system establishes a single point of entry, with a common intake electronically linking Consortium members who serve persons with disabilities receiving public support. A Consumer Advisory Council, marketing plan, and thorough assessment of systems will guide the continuous removal of barriers, whether they be physical, attitudinal, or procedural; in policy, rules, practices or resources. Providing a timely and integrated approach to service delivery, a One-Stop Self-Sufficiency Plan (OSSP) will be developed by all project participants, with guidance from experienced, qualified staff, identifying their individual needs and choices related to a career path. Co-location of staff by job function and interagency staffings will ensure progress towards plan goals. Zero wait time for Vocational Rehabilitation application will become a reality, along with a 50% reduction in time for eligibility determination and service initiation. Consumer Advocates, who are persons with disabilities, will be trained and employed to assist in all phases of service delivery. Job placement and retention strategies include a peer support center available to job seekers and those recently employed. In addition, a "warm line" will allow phone contact for job seekers and employees with questions or concerns. Benefits planning with special emphasis on health coverage for consumers will be provided.


The Project is proposed to serve 1450 people over the 60-month period. A 75% job retention rate will be maintained at 90 days, and an 80% job retention rate at 18 months is targeted. Job placement support will focus on positions with benefits (particularly health and dental care) and career advancement opportunities. In order to evaluate progress and effectiveness, a quarterly performance report will be generated. Since consumer input is a guiding principle of the project, customer satisfaction questionnaires will be developed and utilized with consumers, employers and referring agency staff.