Annual Reports Annual Reports Menu Executive Summary Launched in 2000, Rhodes to Independence is making systems changes to facilitate the competitive employment of people with disabilities through building and coordinating supports, reducing barriers to independence and enhancing self-empowerment. State agencies, private and public organizations, key stakeholders and consumers are collaborating through the oversight committee known as the Steering Committee for Rhodes to Independence. This 2004 Annual report details accomplishments of the Steering Committee and its Workgroups. Among other activities in 2004, Rhodes to Independence stakeholders successfully developed and advocated for Medicaid Buy-In legislation which was signed into law by the Governor in July. A "train the trainer" manual was developed that will assist parents, professionals and youths with disabilities in transitioning from high school to work and/or higher education to make informed decisions. Through activities such as facilitation of a State Business Leadership Network, Rhodes to Independence is building a collaborative infrastructure in support of Rhode Island employers hiring qualified job candidates with disabilities. The following is an overview of progress in 2004 on the Goals and Activities proposed in 2003: 2003 Proposed Goal Pass Medicaid Buy-In (MBI) legislation that will support people with disabilities in the workforce. 2004 Accomplishments  In the past few years, the groundwork had been laid for passage of a Medicaid Buy-In. In 2002 and 2003, state budget problems and Governor Carcieri's "no new program" mandate slowed the process. This year's success in enacting Medicaid Buy-In legislation was the result of a concerted effort by Rhodes' stakeholders and key workforce development leaders emphasizing the Medicaid Buy-In as a means to foster economic development in the state. Passage of legislation was also a direct result of two state legislators – Representative Eileen Naughton and Senator June Gibbs – who sponsored the legislation in the General Assembly and helped shepherd it through the General Assembly subcommittees to reach the Governor's desk for his signature on July 6, 2004. The Governor's Commission on Disabilities honored RTI Steering Committee Chair Steve Kitchin, Steering Committee member Annette Bourbonnierre and RTI Executive Director Elaina Goldstein for their efforts that succeeded in passage of the legislation. The bill targets for its first group of individuals people who are eligible for the Medically Needy category and features a streamlined premium structure wherein reapplication is yearly for as long as a person remains employed. The Buy-In program is scheduled to begin in January 2006. 2003 Proposed Goal Centralize / Optimize One-Stops, Resource Sharing and Work Incentives/Benefits Information through: Collaborating with the development of the Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) Aging and Disability Resource Center and participating in the Governor's Cabinet on Chronic and Long-term Care to enhance and support unified system development and change. In association with DEA, purchasing an upgrade for their Web-based Information, Referral and Assessment Interim System as a systematic means of increasing the numbers of persons with disabilities who become employed and/or continue working after becoming disabled.  Recruitment and hiring of .5 FTE Benefit's Navigator to provide centralized, consistent and factual information at the Aging and Disability Resource Center. 2004 Accomplishments The Rhodes Executive Director and several Steering Committee members are serving on the oversight committee developing the DEA's Aging and Disability Resource Center. This process is still in an early phase. At the beginning of the year, Executive Director Goldstein represented the Rhodes' Project on a Governor's Cabinet on Chronic and Long-term Care subcommittee. However, direct participation in the Chronic and Long-term Care Cabinet was less than anticipated due to state agency reorganization and a new Director of Elderly Affairs replacing the former Director (who has assumed leadership of the Department of Labor and Training). RTI financial resources were offered to DEA in support of an upgrade for their Information and Referral web-based system. During the course of the year, the Department of Human Services joined with DEA in a memorandum of agreement and began cooperating with DEA in purchase of, and training to operate, an effective Information and Referral System. Rhodes' resources are being applied to training personnel for this purpose. Since the Aging and Disability Resource Center is still under development, the recruitment and hiring of a Benefit's Navigator will take place in 2005. 2003 Proposed Goal Continuation of the development of strategies and projects articulated by the Youth In Transition Workgroup; identifying and working out strategies for youths transitioning to work or higher education and collaboration toward closing health benefits' gap through: Development and completion of Youth in Transition "Train the Trainer" to help agencies and school personnel in providing consistent information and knowledge concerning resources and programs. The Workgroup's review of concerns, issues and problems concerning youths in transition and health benefits and development of strategies for systems change and other vehicles for resolving these issues. Identifying and working out strategies for understanding, modifying and raising awareness of 1619(a) and (b) and other work incentives. 2004 Accomplishments: As detailed in the Youth in Transition Workgroup Annual Report, a Train the Trainer manual was developed in 2004 and will be piloted in 2005. The manuals cover "pathways to employment" and "pathways to higher education" as young adults transition from high school. The manuals cover "pathways to employment" and "pathways to higher education" as young adults transition from high school. These manuals are seen as a "tool belt" for relevant professionals. Parents and youths will be better informed regarding the questions to ask and where to go for information A Health Care Gaps issue paper and chart were written that identifies service / resource gaps in health care for transitioning youths. This study is being utilized by relevant state committees focusing on children and youths with disabilities and benefits planning / service delivery. Research on national 1619 (a) and (b) data has been completed. Data and background information encompasses an analysis of New England State Plan Amendment and creation of a correlation matrix to demonstrate the differences between Rhode Island and the other New England State Plan Amendments. 2003 Proposed Goal Development and analysis of the Rhode Island Medicare/Medicaid linked longitudinal database and development of a sliding scale cost model for the Medicaid Buy-In through: JEN Associates, Inc. and RTI / University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy staff will continue the development and analysis of the state's Medicare/Medicaid linked longitudinal database. Creation of a scale of payment model for each Buy-In beneficiary's medical coverage. 2004 Accomplishments RTI / College of Pharmacy staff and JEN Associates, Inc. have continued the development and analysis of the state's Medicare/Medicaid linked longitudinal database. This data base has provided MIG staff with the basic data for research on costs of services, utilization, and trend analyses of the population. Results of this analysis are the basis for designing a sliding scale payment model for the Medicaid Buy-In. A cost model for various levels of acuity will be developed. The process for developing this premium model was initiated in 2004 and will continue in 2005. 2003 Proposed Goal Further development of a comprehensive infrastructure that will result in removing employment barriers for people with disabilities through: The Rhodes to Independence marketing campaign (launched in November '03 in conjunction with the RI Ticket roll out) will implement a major public awareness campaign designed to increase emp loyment opportunities for people with disabilities. A key message will be passage of the Medicaid Buy-In as an employment support engine. This outreach campaign will feature creation of a website, posters, printing a newsletter, development of a trade show booth, etc. to "convey the message" regarding employability of people with disabilities and existing employment resources and supports. Formation of a Rhode Island Business Leadership Network that will build a relationship with the Rhode Island business / employer community in support of comprehensive employment policies. Creation of a new Employee Retention Workgroup to develop concrete strategies toward demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of early intervention and support for persons with disabilities (e.g., individuals with Multiple Sclerosis, HIV) currently working and their employers, as well as showing that providing medical and support benefits to people before they become functionally disabled improves employment retention and results in net savings. Continue the activities of the Transportation Work Group. 2004 Accomplishments Multiple products and activities associated with the Rhodes to Independence outreach and marketing campaign were completed in 2004. These products, detailed in the Outreach Workgroup Final Report, include the Rhodes' newsletter, creation of a Rhodes to Independence website, support for the formation of a RI Business Leadership Network Steering Committee and implementation of monthly formative meetings, development of RTI trade show booth, production of Rhodes tri-fold informational brochures, production of an Employer Packet, etc. Equally important are the partnerships developed with dozens of state agencies, educational institutions, advocacy organizations and businesses through outreach on individual and organizational levels in support of related activities geared toward the gainful employment of people with disabilities. An Employee Retention Workgroup was formed; its activities are detailed in the Employee Retention Workgroup Annual Report. There was a direct correlation between this Workgroup's strategic plan and focus and that of the RI Business Leadership Network Steering Committee. The Transportation Workgroup continued to meet in 2004. As detailed in the Transportation Workgroup Annual Report, its accomplishments include the printing and distribution of 5,000 co pies of "A Guide to RIPTA Services", the printing of A Guide to Mobility Management and participating in partner meetings with the One Stops and Employer Service Networks. 2003 Proposed Goal Implementation of High-level State Agency Director's Retreat on Overall Infrastructure Change. Originally planned to take place in FY 03, the Steering Committee anticipated that planning for this event would be expedited by working through the Rhode Island Long Term Care Cabinet; all relevant state agency directors serve on the Cabinet, hence this entity was deemed optimal for coordination and planning purposes. The objective of this high-level State Agency Directors' retreat was to discuss how policy issues affect employment and to make sustainable policy recommendations. Beginning early in 2004, the Steering Committee appealed via letter and follow-up inquiries to the Chairs of the RI Long-Term Care Cabinet to discuss state agencies' participation in this event. The delay in a return communication from the Cabinet was ascribed in part to the installation of a new Director of Elderly Affairs. In effect, there was no progress on this goal. In conclusion, the Rhodes to Independence Steering Committee made significant progress in 2004 toward making system changes to facilitate the competitive employment of people with disabilities. In addition to the completion of significant activities and concrete products, the passage of a Rhode Island Medicaid Buy-In is a positive workforce investment step forward for the Ocean State. In addition to this Executive Summary, the 2004 Rhodes to Independence Steering Committee Annual Report includes details of the activities of the Outreach, Transportation, Youth in Transition, Employee Retention and Housing Workgroups. 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