VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Introduction to Outreach in the WIPA Program

June 2014

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VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Training Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will:

1.Identify the 4 message points CWICs should be communicating during all outreach activities.2.Describe the requirements Social Security places on outreach activity for WIPA projects.3.Describe at least 3 successful strategies for conducting outreach for transition age youth and 4.Identify community agencies that can assist with outreach to transition age youth.

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VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Purpose of Outreach Activities

• Raising awareness of WIPA services – what they include and who they are intended to assist.

• Dispelling myths about how Social Security disability benefits are affected by paid employment.

• Establishing relationships with community agencies to advance our shared mission - promoting employment among Social Security disability beneficiaries.

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VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Social Security Administration’s Requirements for WIPA Outreach

• Use maximum of 10% of WIPA resources on outreach.

• Target transition age youth with outreach resources.• Referrals from TTW helpline and those with jobs are

to be served on a priority basis.• Collaborate with BASS regarding WISE events when

possible (NOT required, but appreciated).• Collaborate with AWICs and other community

partner agencies for outreach to beneficiaries.

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VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Definition of Transition Age Youth

• The Terms and Conditions of the WIPA award state, “Outreach expenditures shall comprise no more than 10% of resources (WIPA budget) and should target transition age youth by working closely with schools and parents.

• For the purposes of WIPA services and the Terms and Conditions of WIPA awards, Social Security defines beneficiaries between the ages of 14 and 25 as transition-aged youth.

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VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Outreach Considerations

• Outreach is an ongoing activity.

• CWICs must carefully budget staff time to perform outreach.

• Work smart by doing research and developing a written outreach plan.

• Stay focused – outreach should result in appropriate referrals!

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VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Staying “On Message!”

• Paid employment and disability benefits are NOT mutually exclusive.

• It is possible to work and keep Medicaid or Medicare in almost every case.

• It is possible to work and come out ahead financially even if benefits are reduced.

• The object of WIPA is to promote employment and enhance financial independence.

• The WIPA initiative is NOT intended to force people off benefits, nor is it intended to help people maximize their benefits.

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VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

A Word about Marketing Presentations

Keep your presentations short with the content focused on the following questions:

– What are the tangible benefits of your services?– What problems will your services solve?– How will potential future problems be avoided?– What are the unique “features” of your services?NOTE: All marketing materials must be approved

by Social Security.

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VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

VCU NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Evaluating Outreach Efforts

• Keep track of your outreach activities and how much time is being spent on outreach.

• Track the source of referrals and educate partner agencies about inappropriate referrals.

• Check penetration rates within high priority sub-groups – particularly transition age youth.

• Double check how disability and cultural issues are being accommodated!

• Refine strategies to increase appropriate referrals and decrease inappropriate referrals.

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