----- Original Message -----
From: <NYAPRS@...>
To: <NYAPRS@...>
Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 7:27 AM
Subject: OMH Launches Ticket to Work Website


Ticket to Work
http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/ticket/index.htm

Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA) is a new Federal
Social Security law designed to increase consumer choice in obtaining
rehabilitation and employment outcomes. The TWWIIA legislation calls for
the
the establishment of “Employment Networks.” Employment Networks can be a
government agency, a private agency or even a business willing to assist a
consumer in obtaining and maintaining employment sufficient enough to leave
the benefit rolls. There are also certain provisions that may allow
beneficiaries to maintain their health benefits while working. See New York
State Independent Living Councils Newsletters from Winter 2001 & Winter 2002
Issues for Information on the Medicaid Buy In.

The Ticket
A ticket is a voucher that an individual can take to an Employment Network
to
receive services. The Ticket Program is being administered by a company
called MAXIMUS which is responsible for coordinating the usage of the
tickets
and disseminating Information about Employment Networks. Individuals
receiving SSI or SSDI will be eligible to receive a ticket and up to 180,000
consumers with mental health conditions may be the recipients of these
tickets. Participation in the program is voluntary. An individual may use
their ticket now, save it for a later date or choose not to pursue
vocational
services at all. The goal, however, is for these tickets to be exchanged
for
vocational services at an Employment Network.

More Information
More information can be found at the web sites listed on the following
pages:
Social Security Benefits Advisement
Additional Social Security Information
Additional Employment Resources
More Information

For further information regarding the programmatic and administrative issues

relating to the Ticket Program, contact, New York State Office of Mental
Health Central Office, Rehab and Recovery Unit of the Adult Services Bureau,
Community Care Systems Management Division at
RehabandRecovery@....

Source: NYS Office of Mental Health

This "Mental Health E-News" posting is a service of the New York Ass'n of
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services,
a statewide coalition of people who use and/or provide community mental
health services
dedicated to improving services and social conditions for people with
psychiatric disabilities
by promoting their recovery, rehabilitation and rights.
To join our list, e-mail us your request and, where appropriate, the name of
your organization to NYAPRS@....

Save these dates!
September 10 - 13, 2002
NYAPRS 20th Annual Conference Celebration
'Now More Than Ever: Hope, Healing and Recovery'
at the Nevele Grande Resort, Ellenville New York
contact: Mary McLaughlin, NYAPRS
1 Columbia Place Albany, NY 12207
(518) 436-0008; fax: (518) 436-0044