National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (NEON)

FY 2025 State Application

Application Due: November 7, 2024, 11:00 pm ET

State:
Submitted By:

Economic Systems Inc. (EconSys)
3120 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 500
Falls Church, VA 22042
703.642.5225
www.econsys.com

ODEP's National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (NEON) Initiative Core State Application

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is announcing a solicitation for States and State Government Agencies (SGAs) to apply through a competitive application process as part of ODEP's National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (NEON) initiative to increase Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) within their statewide systems that serve individuals with disabilities.

States selected as NEON Core States will be offered intensive policy consulting, capacity building support and ongoing mentoring through onsite, telecommunications, and virtual mediums to support the strategic aims of their efforts to increase CIE for individuals with disabilities in their state.

ODEP has contracted with Economic Systems Inc. (EconSys) to manage, support and coordinate this project. EconSys is a small business in the Washington, DC metropolitan area providing consulting and support in the policy area of employment of people with disabilities.

About National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network

The National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (NEON) is an ongoing initiative of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) within the U.S. Department of Labor. There is a growing interest to increase Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for people with disabilities, including those with significant disabilities and mental health disabilities. However, for many local disability employment service providers and national organizations that represent them, there are relatively few opportunities to access the technical support needed to help providers transform their service delivery systems in a manner that sustains a successful business model and helps employees with significant disabilities achieve CIE.

ODEP established NEON to address this growing need by offering technical assistance to the National Provider Organizations (NPOs) and State Government Agencies (SGAs) provided by a pool of national Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), who serve as peer mentors in provider transformation, competitive integrated employment and customized employment.

Application Information and Deadlines

The following information provides basic guidance for the application process to receive Core State status as part of the FY 2025 NEON initiative.

• Application Submission: Applications must be submitted through the EconSys Online Portal only. Applications submitted through all other mediums will not be accepted. Please note: Each state may only make one submission per state.
• Questions about Application: Send questions regarding the application directly to neon@econsys.com with the subject line, "NEON Core State Application Question" no later than November 1, 9 p.m. ET. Answers will be posted periodically here in this portal.
• Information Session: ODEP and EconSys will host an hour-long Information Session at October 15, 2024, 3 p.m. ET, in support of this solicitation. Any interested party is welcome to attend by signing up at: Registration Link.
• Please send any accommodation requests for this session to neon@econsys.com.
• A copy of the recording for the information session will be available for viewing via the EconSys Online Portal no later than 48 hours following the completion of the information session.

The following deadlines have been established for the application process and execution of NEON Core State initiative.

• Solicitation Release: October 8, 2024, 3 p.m. ET
• Virtual Informational Session: October 15, 2024, 3 p.m. ET
• Questions Due: November 1, 2024, 9 p.m. ET
• Application Due: November 7, 2024, 11 p.m. ET
• Core State Selection Announcement: November 27, 2024
• Period of Performance: December 2, 2024 - August 31, 2025
• In-Person NEON Meeting and Orientation (Participation required for one representative from each selected Core State): Tentatively February, 2025

Solicitation Guidelines and Instructions

I. Introduction

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is soliciting applications from a team of state government agencies (SGAs) to receive technical assistance through ODEP's National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (NEON) initiative.

Through a competitive application process, a minimum of ten (10) states will be selected to receive technical assistance to improve employment outcomes within their statewide systems that serve individuals with disabilities. Depending on their need, states will be able to apply for 100, 200, or 300 hours of technical assistance. NEON Core States will be offered intensive policy consulting, capacity building support, and ongoing mentoring through onsite, telecommunications, and virtual mediums to support the strategic aims of their efforts to increase Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for individuals with disabilities.

In addition, states who participated in NEON in the 2023-2024 Option Year of the contract will be eligible to request a one-time allotment of 50 hours to continue work on tasks from the previous NEON contract period through this application.

II. Benefits to States

The NEON pool of subject matter experts (SMEs) will provide ongoing policy consulting to the Core States, including virtual, webinar-based presentations, training workshops, information dissemination, and material development.

Each NEON Core State shall receive the opportunity to work with a maximum of four (4) SMEs as follows:

• One-on-One (1:1) Policy Consulting: Individualized support in accomplishing 1-3 policy-specific outcomes (based upon the successful completion of 2-5 milestones per outcome by the designated SMEs) to assist the state in developing or implementing technical assistance objectives with the alignment of policies, practices, and funding to support the state's initiative to enact Employment First principles, assist providers in transforming their business model, and advance NEON's National Plan to Increase CIE.
• Capacity Building Assistance/Training in Effective Practices: A combination of in-person and virtual capacity building assistance and training which will result in the accomplishment of 2-5 major outcomes (based upon the successful completion of 2-5 milestones per outcome by the designated SMEs) that align with ODEP's Criteria for Performance Excellence in Employment First State Systems Change and Provider Transformation.

Community of Practice: In addition to the policy support described above, each NEON Core State will also have access to and be expected to engage in all of ODEP's National Employment First Community of Practice (CoP) activities, including but not limited to monthly training webinars, national inventory of resources to help providers achieve increased CIE, and timely updates from Federal officials on new policy developments and funding opportunities to support state NEON efforts.

Orientation & Leadership Development Meeting: EconSys will host a two-day in-person meeting in Washington, DC for NEON Core State Point of Contacts (PoCs) from each state in order to share with ODEP and Federal partners about their specific goals that will be addressed through NEON. EconSys will cover the cost of travel, meals, and lodging for the designated PoC from each state to attend the event.

III. Selected States' Commitment

The selected states shall agree to complete the following activities in order to receive NEON Core State status:

• Solidify an interagency commitment within your state to promote cross-systems collaboration in support of Employment First principles. The following state agencies may be included:
• Education
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)
• Medicaid
• Mental Health
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Workforce Development
• Identify a senior-level key decision maker within state government (i.e., the NEON PoC) designated by the state government to serve as the key liaison on its behalf and provide project management support for the NEON Core State's activities, working closely with ODEP, SMEs, and EconSys.
• Identify other state government leaders within state government (i.e., the NEON Core State PoC) designated by the state government to serve as the key liaison on its behalf and provide project management support for the NEON Core State's activities, working closely with ODEP, SMEs, and EconSys.
• Engage external stakeholders such as service providers, self-advocacy organizations, Developmental Disabilities (DD) Councils, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) organizations, University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) partners, mental health providers and advocacy associations, employer associations, and independent living centers in NEON activities as appropriate.
• Fully participate in the various components of NEON including but not limited to NEON Core State Plan and ODEP's monthly National Employment First CoP webinars.
• The NEON Core State Plan shall be based upon a template provided by EconSys that:
• outlines specific goals and supporting objectives to align policy, practice and funding across systems in support of the NEON National Plan to Increase CIE, based upon specific categorical areas provided by ODEP,
• identifies specific policy consulting needs based upon these goals, and details the proposed implementation of the policy consulting activities (including proposed policy consulting format, requested SMEs, target recipients of the policy consulting, anticipated travel required and projected timeline),
• describes the projected milestones (2-5 per outcome), timelines, and subsequent outcomes (1-3 policy specific; 2-5 other) that will be achieved upon the completion of the state plan, as well as the steps the state will be taking to ensure sustainability of efforts at the conclusion of participating in the NEON Core State activities,
• identifies the representatives from each required state team that will be responsible for managing the specific goal areas, and,
• provides a rationale for how the specific policy, capacity building support, and outcomes are interrelated in achieving the specific goal(s) that the state has decided to pursue. The policy impact and inclusion of individuals with disabilities, their families, and providers must be an important consideration as these outcomes are identified.
• Collect data related to the state's systems change efforts based upon a data collection template developed by EconSys and ODEP, with input from the selected state. Such data shall include information about increasing CIE activities and outcomes in the state for NEON.
• Upon request, provide monthly updates of state's progress based upon a report template provided by EconSys. The monthly reports will document the progress made, identify any problems in plan implementation that necessitate a change in course or strategy, and assess additional supports that may be required to effectively implement the NEON Core State Plan.

PLEASE READ:

• Applications must be submitted through the EconSys online portal.
• Applications submitted via email or mail will not be accepted.
• Only one application will be accepted from each state. It is imperative that state agencies work together and designate one State POC to submit state's application.
• Multiple representatives from different state agencies within each state are allowed to create an account on the portal. Their names and contact information will appear in the NEON Online Portal-User Access list in Section IV.1 below.
• You can save your application to finish later, but before the deadline.
• You can print your application at any stage of your application.
• For technical difficulties, contact EconSys at neon@econsys.com

IV.1 List of Registered Users from Your State

If multiple representatives from different state agencies within your state signed up for portal access, then their names and contact information appears below. Please convene to designate one State Point of Contact (POC) to submit your application.

Name	Title	Agency	Email	Phone

IV.2 Technical Assistance Hours Requested and Prior Core State Information

PLEASE READ the guidelines below first:

• States have the option to apply for up to 300 hours of technical assistance. Existing NEON Core States only may request up to 50 hours to complete prior Core State projects in addition to up to 300 hours for new projects. ODEP reserves the right to award an amount of hours different from those originally requested.
• State applications must identify at least one senior level staffer from at least three of the below agencies to be considered for Core State status:
  • Education
  • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)
  • Medicaid
  • Mental Health
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Workforce Development

If state participated in NEON FY2024:

Q1.1. Is your state requesting up to 50 hours of NEON technical assistance hours in order to continue tasks from FY2024?

Yes | No

Q1.2. Is your state requesting NEON technical assistance hours to start a new project?

Yes | No

Q1.3. Please provide a brief summary of activities and objectives accomplished with your FY2024 Core State project:

If state did not participate in NEON FY2024 or would like to reapply to start a new project:

Q2. Please indicate the number of NEON technical assistance hours you would like for your FY2025 Core State project.
Note: All Technical Assistance hours must be completed by August 31, 2025.

100 | 200 | 300

Q3. For which categories would you like to apply for the technical assistance hours? Choose up to three.

• ▢ Benefits Planning
• ▢ Blending, Braiding or Sequencing Rate Restructuring
• ▢ Data Alignment
• ▢ Direct Support Professionals
• ▢ State as a Model Employer/Employer Outreach
• ▢ Statewide Strategic Planning
• ▢ Transitioning Youth
• ▢ Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Implementation
• ▢ Other - Please specify:

IV.3 Core State Point of Contact and Other Key Leaders

PLEASE READ: Successful participation in NEON is directly linked to the decision-making authority of the state government officials involved in the implementation of the program. Core State applications that do not have the names of at least one senior staffer from at least three of the below agencies will not be considered complete. Please note, a Core State Point of Contact (PoC) may also be used as a key state government leader to fulfill this requirement.

Potentially participating state agencies:

• Education
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)
• Medicaid
• Mental Health
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Workforce Development

Q4. Please identify the senior-level key decision maker within state government (i.e., the Core State PoC) designated by the state government to serve as the key liaison on its behalf and provide project management support for the NEON Core State's activities, working closely with ODEP, SMEs, and EconSys.

Name	Title	Agency	Email	Phone

Q5. Please identify other key state government leaders within identified participating systems who agree to serve as peer mentors to NEON including sharing their state experiences of participation with other states, and to participate in NEON outreach and educational activities. State applications must identify at least one senior level staffer from at least three of the below agencies to be considered for Core State status.

Name	Title	Agency	Email	Phone
		Education
		Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)
		Medicaid
		Mental Health
		Vocational Rehabilitation
		Workforce Development

IV.4 Understanding and Approach

Please respond to each item below.

Q6. Why is the state interested in participating in NEON?

Q7. What are the key preliminary objectives the state wants to achieve as a result of this process?

Q8. How can you demonstrate the state's readiness for change?

Q9. Please indicate if the state has been involved in other national initiatives and/or federally sponsored programs to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Examples of programs: ODEP-EFSLMP, SELN, ASPIRE, PIE, PROMISE, RETAIN, RSA DIF Grant, SAMHSA Grant, Medicaid Infrastructure Grant.

Program	Q9.1 Start Date	Q9.2 End Date

Q9.3 What lessons have you learned, or are learning, from these initiatives?

Q10. What challenges have you faced in previous efforts to improve employment opportunities for adults with disabilities that you might resolve in part through working with NEON?

Q11. How will your Core State project support CIE in marginalized and underserved communities? (e.g. how does this align with other diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility efforts?)

Q12. Would the development of new resources (brief, guide, template, etc.) help you to achieve your CIE goals? What type of resource would be most useful to you in achieving your state's present CIE goals?

IV.5 State's Self-Assessment of Employment First Systems Change Efforts

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IV.6 State's Commitment to Participation in National Employment First Community of Practice (CoP) Activities

As a general prerequisite of eligibility for NEON Core State participation, it is imperative that each state applicant confirm that there is a commitment among the participating agencies to disseminate information among professional staff, contractors, providers, and other key stakeholders about ODEP's National Employment First CoP. Additionally, all state participants must be a member of the CoP ListServ and make a concerted effort to attend monthly CoP webinars. Please indicate that you understand this requirement by checking the "I agree" box below.

Commitment Statement:

◯ I Agree

If selected, the Core State agrees to send one representative or Point of Contact to a two-day in-person meeting in Washington, DC in order to share with ODEP and Federal partners about their specific goals that will be addressed through NEON. EconSys will cover the cost of travel, meals, and lodging for the designated POC from each state to attend the event. Other representatives may attend the in-person meeting, however their expenses will not be covered by EconSys. The meeting will tentatively be held in February, 2025. Please indicate that you understand this requirement by checking the "I agree" box below or checking the "Tentative" button should you require additional approval for this requirement.

Commitment Statement:

◯ Yes
◯ Tentative

PLEASE READ: Competitive Selection Process