Eligibility

1. What are the eligibility requirements?
   
   

   Eligible DEI participants include Illinois residents

   • With a disability; and
     
   • Between the ages of 14-62
     
   • Ages 18-64 for the following counties: Lake, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Williamson
   • Ages 14-64 for the following counties: DuPage, Northern Cook​

Enrollment

1. Can Financial Asset Development Service be entered in Illinois workNet?
   
   

   These services are documented in IWDS if the customer is enrolled in IWDS. If the customer is not enrolled in IWDS, use the IWDS local service for LWIA 1 and 25.​

2. Can Intergrated Resource Team Services be entered through Illinois workNet?
   
   

   Staff indicate an intergrated resources team was used​ with these customers. This is one services count per customer. The customer can be either enrolled or not enrolled in IWDS. If the customer is not enrolled in IWDS, use the IWDS local service for LWIA 1 and 25.

3. Completed Full Application
   
   

   Customer has been submitted the full DEI application and is considered enrolled in DEI. IWDS has been updated to include customer application information. Once the application is submitted, updates to this information are made in IWDS (which will update in Illinois workNet)​

4. How do you enter Co-enrolled Partner service?
   
   

   ​The customer can be either enrolled or not enrolled in IWDS. This is entered through Illinois workNet in the service section.

General

1. How does my customer get to their DEI information?
   
   
   1. Sign into your Illinois workNet ​account.
      
   2. Go to Dashbpard to get to your DEI tools.​
2. Who can see DEI customers?
   
   

   ​DEI customers can be seem by Career Planners/Case Workers, who have access to customer information for their regions. DEI customers can also be seen by Partners. Partners have limited access to a subset of customers. They are provided access to customers through teams. Partners can be on 1 or more teams. Examples:

   • K-12 Partner (ex: District 99)
     
   • Postsecondary partner (ex: College of DuPage)
     
   • Support service provider
     
   • Employer
     

Intake

1. Can I help a customer complete and application?
   
   

   ​If a customer only has a starter application, you can complete the full application with them. The full application can be updated until it is submitted.

   NOTE: If you reach out to a DEI eligible IWDS customer that does not want to participate, you can select the option to indicate they do not want to participate. Once this is selected, they will move to the appropriate section in the DEI Program Dashboard.

2. How do I update a submitted application?
   
   

   ​You can review the customer information. If updates are needed, they need to be made through IWDS. The systems will sync. You can select the IWDS sync button immediately if you need the changes.​
   

3. What does the color coding in the Dashboard mean?
   
   

   White Color Code = FYI Only. No action is needed. These numbers are not included in the loss/pass rates.

   Yellow Color Code = Action is needed. These numbers are not included in the loss/pass rates.

   Green Color Code = This step is complete or meets program requirement.

   Red Color Code = This person is either not able to participate or quit particiapting in the program.​

4. Who can use the program dashboard?
   
   

   ​Only staff that have been given access to the program can view the dashboard. Access to the customer information is restricted even futher through the use of roles.

   • Partner Role - See dashboard of their region, but they cannot use the links to customer information. Instead they would need to go to their customer list.
     

Integrated Resource Team (IRT)

1. Can an Interagency Committee be beneficial to an Integrated Resource Team?
   
   

   ​An Interagency Committee can be quite helpful, although it is not necessary or required to have one to use IRTs. If an Interagency Committee already exists in a local/regional area that focuses on systems collaboration and improving employment for individuals with disabilities, it can serve as a strong foundation for the IRT model. DRCs may introduce the IRT model to their local/regional Interagency Committees, which offers the opportunity to discuss it with many of the leaders from the disability, workforce and community systems who are members.

   • The Interagency Committee may work together to decide as representatives of a local/regional community how to introduce the IRT model to their agency staff and begin to implement it.
     
   • The use of WIASRD data to demonstrate outcomes resulting from the IRT model may also be beneficial in gaining buy-in and increased levels of partnership.​
     
2. Do you need to have an Interagency Committee in order to have Integrated Resource Teams?
   
   

   ​No, since an IRT is an informal customer level activity that will not require any individual partner to modify or alter their existing procedures around service delivery the IRT model can be applied without the support of MOU’s or discussion in an interagency forum. The most important elements to have in order to promote the IRT model as a viable option for a job seeker with a disability are widespread knowledge of existing resources in the local/regional community, strong partnerships with local/regional organizations, and the backing of the WIA program through enrollment into WIA intensive and/or training services and/or the WIA Youth program.

   • As different types of services and resources are needed for each individual IRT, DRCs can invite partners whom they or the Job Centers have formed relationships with during outreach and collaboration.
     
   • Potential IRT members can also be recruited from many of the other committees that DRCs are involved with, such as a group that focuses on transitioning youth, Mental Health, or adult literacy. Ultimately, the IRT will be composed of direct service providers and supports that have services and resources that can help the job seeker attain their employment goal.
     
   • There may also be a need to develop a relationship with a new agency or program out of a job seeker’s need for their particular services/resources in an IRT plan.​
     
3. Does an Integrated Resource Team function differently than an Interagency Committee?
   
   

   ​An IRT is an informal activity that takes place on the individual level. As a result, team members and participation on an IRT would likely change in response to unique job seeker profiles, needs, and perceived challenges. However, the one team member who will always be present on an IRT is the WIA Case Manager as enrollment in WIA intensive and/or training services OR the WIA Youth program is a key component to what defines and IRT. Additionally, the duration of time during which an IRT comes together to meet and coordinate services is extremely flexible and depends upon the specific needs of the individual job seeker. Interagency Committees is a formal activity that focuses on system level challenges that are identified as barriers to achieving employment outcomes for job seekers with disabilities. These committees may identify solutions at a system level to impact policy changes, improve coordination of service delivery, and increase the blending/braiding of funds to share the cost of supports for job seekers with disabilities. The ultimate goal is to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities in a local community or region. Membership on an Interagency Committee is more consistent and on-going than it is in an IRT, which is created for a specific job seeker.​

4. Is the Disability Resource Coordinator a case manager when facilitating an IRT?
   
   

   ​Absolutely not. The evolving vision of the DRC strengthens the focus of Job Center staff to problem solve and identify resources from other systems to meet an individual job seeker’s needs. An IRT provides more options to bring representatives from other systems directly into planning and implementation of strategies individualized and responsive to a job seeker’s needs and preferences. As a facilitator and a resource, a DRC:

   • Is not expected to spend their time in the Job Center with a pile of individual cases to manage.
     
   • Has important responsibilities to build relationships with other service delivery systems, the disability and employer communities, and the Social Security field offices and Work Incentive Planning and Assistance projects.
     
   • Is always continuing to improve access and meaningful participation of job seekers with disabilities in the Job Center through training and problem solving with staff.​
     

   Every member on an IRT, with the exception of the DRC, will most likely have a case file for the job seeker that includes paperwork, case notes and other documents specific to that particular agency. This includes the WIA Intensive or Training Case Managers or Counselors at the Job Center who are key members of every IRT, who will most definitely keep a file for the job seeker on the services delivered.​
   

5. What does a Disability Resource Coordinator do who is serving multiple workforce investment areas?
   
   

   ​There may be regional DRCs, responsible for serving multiple centers and a large geographic area. It is important for these DRCs to identify opportunities to create Interagency Committees and, where possible, encourage the use of IRTs in the workforce investment areas they serve.

   • In some areas, the Interagency Committees may already exist. In these cases, a DRC may introduce the concept of an IRT as an option for improved service coordination and increased employment for people with disabilities. Each committee may then decide to implement this model and lead the efforts as a group.
     
   • In other cases, the DRC may offer more intensive training to an Interagency Committee, a regional workforce investment area, and/or to mandated partners so they may lead the efforts to implement the IRT option in their local areas.​
     

   The DRC should always be conducting outreach activities within their regional communities and partnering agencies to generate a stream of customers with disability and or multiple challenges to employment seeking services at the AJCs with whom they work. This activity will create a shared customer base and a demand for service strategies that meet the needs of these customers. Each shared customer can create new opportunities to discuss how to partner more effectively and coordinate resources to meet their needs.​
   

   The DRC should always help educate other stakeholders on the role and purpose of the DEI Project to improve communication and collaboration among multiple service delivery systems including American Job Centers. With limited resources, each system will better meet its goals for shared customers by working with other agencies and funders. The sum of the parts of a seamless system has more possibilities for success than each system struggling separately. The DRC can help Interagency Committee members to identify common goals to promote self-sufficiency and how they can work together to overcome identified barriers to valued outcomes.

   
   

   DRCs are encouraged to access the DEI national training and technical assistance provider and their assigned technical assistance liaison for materials and strategies to support these efforts.​
6. What is an Integrated Resource Team?
   
   

   ​An Integrated Resource Team (IRT) is an informal, customer level, resource coordination strategy that brings together all of the service providers engaged with an individual customer to improve communication and collaboration that results in enhanced coordination of services and supports for a job seeker with a disability. IRTs are organized around an individual job seeker with a disability who experiences multiple challenges to employment and who has been enrolled in WIA intensive and/or training services (or is attempting to attain enrollment in these services).​

7. What is the difference between an Integrated Resource Team and an Interagency Committee?
   
   

   An IRT focuses on the needs of a specific job seeker with a disability and coordination of resources to address those needs. An Interagency Committee focuses on systems coordination, problem solving and collaboration for more effective services to job seekers with disabilities.

   An Integrated Resource Team Is an informal, customer level strategy that consists of a unique team of representatives that come together based on the identified needs of an individual job seeker with a disability.

   
   

   Members of an Integrated Resource Team:

   • May be initially identified by the job seeker, the DRC, and/or Job Center staff.
     
   • Members are brought together as a “team” to improve communication and collaboration of services across agencies, and support the job seeker with a disability in obtaining and maintaining employment.
     

   An Interagency Committee (e.g., disability action team/interagency coalition/accessibility work group) is a formal system level activity that may include representatives from the disability and workforce communities, business sector and other community agencies who come together to explore the most effective strategies at a systems level to deliver employment services for people with disabilities.
   

   
   

   An Interagency Committee:

   • Includes members such as the DRC, staff from the Job Center and local workforce investment board, mandated and non-mandated partners (e.g., Vocational Rehabilitation, Mental Health, Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities, State Commissions for the Deaf and for the Blind, Social Security, and Medicaid) and representatives from community-based organizations such as Independent Living Centers, faith-based agencies, and local community college offices for students with disabilities.
     
   • Typically meet on a regular basis to build a support system at the local or regional level through systems collaboration.
     
   • Serves as a means to regularly communicate, problem solve, and work together to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
8. What is the overall goal of introducing the Integrated Resource Team model?
   
   

   ​The overall goal is to help the American Job Centers increase access to all levels of WIA services including WIA intensive and training services for job seekers with disability and or multiple challenges to employment. It is also to demonstrate to AJCs and other community agencies the benefit of this kind of resource collaboration leading to the incorporation of this strategy as an available option for serving job seekers with disabilities and or multiple challenges to employment to outcomes that meet or exceed WIA performance measures.

   • The DRC may lead the first IRT meeting to model the approach and to help set up a system of communication between all members so that they may move forward in working together on their own.
     
   • The DRC may ask the group for a volunteer to take the leadership role (it may be the job seeker). The IRT lead agrees to ensure ongoing communication and to bring all members back together if problems arise or additional problem-solving is needed.
     

   The IRT may be a culture shift for many communities and agencies, and this can take time. However, as coordination of services improves and more individuals with disabilities become employed, this culture shift can happen.​
   
9. What is the primary function of an Integrated Resource Team?
   
   

   ​Members of an IRT work together to identify and strategize how their combined services and resources can be leveraged to support a customer’s education, training, or employment goals, while the job seeker himself/herself will also have responsibilities in order to contribute to reaching his/her goals.​

10. What is the role of the DRC related to the Integrated Resource Team?
    
    

    ​The DRC may serve as the facilitator by helping to build understanding within the American Job Center (AJC) of the added possibilities of another level of support for a job seeker with a disability through the option of an IRT. The role of the DRC as facilitator may include:

    • Helping to explain the option of working with an IRT to the job seeker, to ensure he/she is in agreement of needing this type of resource coordination and understands the benefits, including the sharing of information between various systems and agencies.
      
    • Working with Job Center staff and the job seeker to identify needed resources and reaching out to agency representatives who may serve on the IRT.
      
    • Facilitating the first IRT meeting, explaining the IRT concept of improving coordination of services, and leading the group discussion to ensure that a consensus is reached concerning the following subjects, (among others that are relevant to each job seeker):​
      

    A shared employment goal

    • The job seeker shares employment goals and any challenges to employment.
    • IRT representatives share eligibility requirements and available resources.​

    Lines of Communication

    • Agreement by all IRT members, including the job seeker, to regularly communicate with each other (exchange of contact information).​

    Timeline of Services

    • Agreement by all to follow-through with what each IRT member promises to do (resources/funding provided by agency representatives; personal responsibility by job seeker).​

    Once the IRT approach is understood and effectively utilized, with the WIA Case Manager taking the lead role in coordinating the team, the DRC can be accessed as needed for information, resources, or additional IRT members as appropriate. Once the IRT concept is fully understood and has been implemented with success over a number of months/years there may be instances in which an IRT takes place without the need to access the DRC at any point in the process.​
    
11. Who might participate on an Integrated Resource Team?
    
    

    ​Each IRT is made up of representatives from community organizations and partner agencies that an individual job seeker is currently receiving or may be eligible for and that meet the specific employment related needs of an individual. Team members are chosen based on the services that are needed to address any identified challenges to employment. Each job seeker that may benefit from this kind of active resource coordination will come with a unique set of needs. No system level agreement is necessary to develop an individual IRT; the members of an individual IRT may reflect existing Interagency Committees or system level MOU’s and may include representatives from the Workforce Investment system, Vocational Rehabilitation, the Mental Health System, Public Education partners (e.g. transition programs), Ex-Offender Program, Community Work Incentives Coordinators (from the Work Incentive Planning and Assistance program), supported-employment service providers, community colleges, the Center for Independent Living, the local housing or transportation system, TANF agency, and Veterans programs.​

Plan/Provide Services

1. How to provide access to Customer Groups/Program Information:
   
   

   ​Partners must have their location set up in Illinois workNet Services Finder.

   Partners must have an Illinois workNet account.

   Provide a list of Illinois workNet Partners and the access level to info@illinoisworknet.com​ to give them access to the DEI Customer Groups. Include the following information:

   • First & Last Name
     
   • Email
     
   • Level of access career planner/case worker or partner.
     
   • Partner Type: K-12, Post Secondary, Supportive Service, etc.