In observance of the recent Labor Day holiday, this week’s DPW Budget message focuses on DPW programs that promote work: Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) and the Way to Work program, in conjunction with Child Care Works.

Individuals with Disabilities at Work

“When I applied for MAWD about four years ago, I was working just a few hours a month as a gardener and relied on Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI). Since then, MAWD has literally changed my life. I was able to work my way up through various jobs and into a full-time job. Since June 2008, I have worked as a recovery coordinator for the Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc. and I am no longer reliant on SSDI ”– James, 48, Allegheny County

Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) provides health care coverage to individuals with disabilities who are working. The establishment of MAWD allows individuals with disabilities to work or increase hours worked without the fear of losing healthcare coverage.

Since 2004, enrollment in the MAWD program has tripled – meaning more persons with disabilities are working. Currently, almost ninety percent of those on MAWD pay a monthly premium for their coverage.

In 2010, DPW received a $5.6 million federal grant to promote work opportunities for persons with disabilities through education, outreach and working with employers. To learn more about this initiative, please visit the Works For Me website at this link.
 

Focusing on Work for Low-Income Families

“As a single mother of a child with a disability, I appreciated the support provided by my local EARN center. Soon after starting the program in October 2008, I started a paid work experience as a receptionist. Over the next year, I continued to focus on getting valuable work experience. Now, I have a full time job as a case manager and I am enrolled in college studying business management.” Shannon, 24, Delaware County

In collaboration with the Department of Labor and Industry, the Way to Work program provides subsidizes for the creation of private- and public-sector jobs for low-income Pennsylvanians with children and low-income youth who otherwise would be unemployed. About 14,000 adults and 2,500 youths are now working at more than 4,200 employers and work sites throughout the commonwealth because of Way to Work.

DPW utilizes more than 100 employment and training contractors throughout the state to provide an extensive array of services, including education, vocational skills training and supervised work experience to prepare clients for a lifetime of employment. In the 2009-2010, there were 60,171 clients served in these programs.

Currently, on average 1,563 individuals leave TANF for work each month.

Child Care Works provides financial help to pay for child care for families who meet work and income requirements. Families of more than 128,000 children each month can continue to work and build job skills because they have access to Child Care Works subsidy. More and more families accessing Child Care Works are choosing quality: over half (53%) of children receiving Child Care Works subsidy are enrolled in Keystone STARS child care programs.