Social Security and Youth Issues Session

1
Social Security and Youth Issues Session

• Disability Program Navigator Training
• Paula Foster-Pierce
• Director, Office of Program Development
• Office of Program Development and Research
• November 17, 2004

2
SSAs Goal

• Successful transition
• Post-secondary education and employment
• Maximize self-sufficiency

3
Where We Are Today

• Approximately 900,000 children receiving SSI
• 110,000 additional receiving SSDI or Childhood
  Disability Benefits
• Supportive services vital for successful
  transition

4
Individuals with Education Act (IDEA)

• Amendments of 1997
• Individuals Education Plan (IEP)
• At age 14
• At age 16

5
SSAs Youth Initiative

• Focuses on
• Improving secondary and post-secondary education
  outcomes
• Developing comprehensive approaches to integrate
  service systems

6
SSAs Youth Initiative

• Primary Audience
• SSI, SSDI and CDB recipients
• Youth at-risk
• Support groups parents, educators, service
  providers and advocates

7
Youth Transition Demonstration

• Cooperative Agreements Awarded
• 5 million
• Six states/7 awards California, Colorado, Iowa,
  Maryland, Mississippi and New York (2)
• SSI, SSDI or CDB recipients
• Ages 14-25
• At risk
• Innovative approaches

8
Youth Transition Demonstration

• Key features
• Participant and family involvement
• Coordination of Services
• Early intervention
• Vocational and career planning
• Coordination of Benefits
• Post secondary education
• Employer involvement

9
Youth Transition Demonstration

• Key features
• Project Partners
• Education
• Labor
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Other Federal and state agencies
• Key partner Disability Program Navigator

10
SSA Waivers

• SSI Rules modified
• Waivers
• Delay benefit termination
• Student earned income exclusion
• Reduce SSI benefits 1 for every 4
• Extend SSI policy regarding individual
  development accounts
• Allow career exploration with the PASS

11

• Navigators can play an important role in helping
  youth with disabilities
• Colorado Youth WINS