1. DEI Community of Practice: Ticket / Workforce EN
Miranda

2. Moderators Facilitator: Miranda Kennedy
Title: Director of Training for the DEI and TA Liaison, NDI Technical Assistance Team
Organization: National Disability Institute
Presenter: Kevin Nickerson
Title: Subject Matter Expert on Ticket/Workforce EN, NDI Technical Assistance Team
Organization: National Disability Institute
Miranda

3. Today’s DEI CoP on Ticket/Workforce EN
DEI Grantees and DRCs will come away with the following:
Information on the 10 DEI Ticket Ambassadors and the support they will provide
Information from our Auburn, California DEI Ticket Ambassador, Kasia DeMauri on Partnership Plus and how she built effective relationships with state Vocational Rehabilitation
Answers to Workforce EN/Ticket questions from peers in the field/Ticket Ambassadors
Please see the two attachments:
One-Page Overview of the DEI Workforce EN Community of Practice
One-Page DEI Ticket Ambassador highlights for Kasia De Mauri
Miranda
This DEI Grantee Training will provide an introduction to the ten DEI Ticket Ambassadors and the DEI Workforce Employment Network Community of Practice.
Our facilitators for this Community of Practice are Miranda Kennedy and Kevin Nickerson with the NDI-DEI Technical Assistance Team. Kasia De Mauri, one of our 10 new DEI Ticket Ambassadors will be kicking off our CoP with a presentation on “Partnership Plus and Effective Relationships with state Vocational Rehabilitation” drawing on her experience and outcomes as a DRC and certified benefits and work incentives planner in Auburn, California. #

4. Introducing the DEI Community of Practice on Ticket/Workforce EN
Miranda

5. DEI Workforce EN Community of Practice
The DEI’s new Workforce Employment Network (CoP) will support DEI project staff who are operating Workforce ENs through the dynamic exchange of ideas, providing access to seasoned DRCs and other DEI project staff from across the country that have achieved success operating Workforce ENs.
The DEI Ticket Ambassadors will be sharing insights and best practices.
Our Ticket Ambassadors will serve as speakers on upcoming CoP web- meetings, kicking off each discussion with a short presentation on an aspect of Workforce EN operations and practices that has led to meaningful and sustainable employment outcomes for ticket holders accessing their Workforce EN.
Utilizing the experiences of this group, our goal is to support and increase open dialogue and exchange of ideas around issues that Workforce ENs face and strategies to improve Workforce EN services.
Miranda #

6. Who are the DEI Ticket Ambassadors?
We have 10 individuals in this role across the country available to support you/their peers.
Ambassadors include Disability Resource Coordinators and other related DEI project staff at the state or local level, including state-level EN Administrators.
The DEI Ticket Ambassadors have been operating Workforce Employment Networks (ENs) across the country and have proven experience in assisting SSA beneficiaries in achieving successful employment outcomes as well as tackling the complex tasks of EN administration.
Miranda #

7. How can the DEI Ticket Ambassadors Help Me?
DEI Ticket Ambassadors will be participating on monthly CoP web-meetings to provide topical overviews, as well as to address questions from their DEI peers/YOU!
You may also contact a DEI Ticket Ambassador by accessing a listing which will be posted on the Workforce GPS site and provided on Workforce EN CoP calls. This listing identifies the topic expertise and demographics of each of our DEI Ticket Ambassadors
Miranda
Additionally - How do I Join the DEI Community of Practice
The DEI Workforce EN CoP web-meetings will be held monthly. Watch the DEI training calendar and join us to get your questions answered and offer insights of your own.
If you have questions about this CoP, please contact Kevin Nickerson, the DEI Ticket Coordinator for more information at: or Miranda Kennedy, Director of Training at: or your TA Liaison. #

8. Introducing the DEI Ticket Ambassadors

9. Service area location(s): Phone: Email: EN Stats: EN Name:
Name:
Richard Berrena
Title:
Disability Resource Coordinator
Service area location(s):
Hampden County, Western Massachusetts
Phone:
(413)
EN Stats:
EN Name:
FutureWorks Career Center
Total # Ticket holders served as of June 2016: 50
Total # Ticket holders working as of June 2016: 25
Milestone to Outcome Ratio:
15:10 (M to O) = 40%
CWIC or Cornell Certification in SSA Disability benefits: No
Area(s) of Expertise:
EN activities, job counseling and development, support services referrals, and interagency coordination
Population of the Area Being Served:
467,319
Service Area: Urban, Suburban or Rural or Both:
Urban and Suburban
Major Industries in Your Area:
Health Care, Administrative, and Retail
Number of Job Centers Covered: 1
# of Full-Time Staff located on-site in the Job Centers Covered: 33
Top 3-5 Partners of the Workforce EN:
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Western Mass Employment Consortium, and DMH
Kevin
Bio:
Since 2012 I have been the Disability Resource Coordinator under the Disability Employment Initiative Grant, where I have provided intensive core services for individuals with disabilities, collaborated with other agencies regarding best practices for providing services, and provided education/re-training via the DEI Grant. Prior to 2012, I worked under the Department of Revenue/Child Support Enforcement Grant, providing intensive core services for non-custodial fathers to secure employment, and met and exceeded goals of the Grant in both average hourly rate of pay and entered employments. Additionally I was the Disability Program Navigator, funded under DOL where I assisted individuals with disabilities to navigate through the Career Center System, by making appropriate referrals to agencies, and working as the Ticket To Work Social Security Program Representative, writing one of the first full-time Tickets. #

10. EN Stats: Name: Title: Service area location(s): Phone: Email:
Name:
Susan Brenner
Title:
Training Specialist II
Service area location(s):
State of Alaska
Phone:
EN Stats:
EN Name:
State of Alaska: Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Total # Ticket holders served as of June 2016: 96
Total # Ticket holders working as of June 2016: 53
Milestone to Outcome Ratio:
109:229 (M to O) = 67.8%
CWIC or Cornell Certification in SSA Disability benefits:
n/a
Area(s) of Expertise:
AJCN/EN Activities
Administrative Support of Grant
Population of the Area Being Served:
735,601
Service Area: Urban, Suburban or Rural or Both:
All
Major Industries in Your Area:
State/Federal Government, Fishing
Oil and Gas, Tourism, Mining
Number of Job Centers Covered: 17
# of Full-Time Staff located on-site in the Job Centers Covered: 82
Top 3-5 Partners of the Workforce EN:
AK Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
WIOA Adult and Youth Grantees
Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
Kevin
Bio:
I have worked for the State of Alaska for 26+ years. I started working as an Eligibility Technician for Public Assistance and after 1.5 years and switched over to Department of Labor. I have worked my way up the ladder, so to speak, in all phases of the job center. I have been a member of the Employment and Technical Unit since 2002, working with a variety of programs, as well as writing policies and procedures for staff. I became the staff trainer in 2005 and began working with the Disability Employment Initiative Grant in I am responsible for the majority of the administrative duties (budgets, ticket assignments, payments, etc.) as well as staff training.   #

11. Service area location(s):
Name:
Tera Brooks
Title:
Disability Resource Coordinator
Service area location(s):
Workforce Service Area 5
Central Minnesota
11 Counties
Phone:
(763)
EN Stats:
EN Name:
Central MN Jobs & Training Services
Total # Ticket holders served as of June 2016: 16
Total # Ticket holders working as of June 2016: 12
Milestone to Outcome Ratio:
38:1 (M to O)=2.6%
CWIC or Cornell Certification in SSA Disability benefits:
Yes
Area(s) of Expertise:
EN Administration, EN Payments and EN/AJC Services
Population of the Area Being Served:
500,670
Service Area: Urban, Suburban or Rural or Both:
Rural
Major Industries in Your Area:
Healthcare, Manufacturing and Retail
Number of Job Centers Covered: 11
# of Full-Time Staff located on-site in the Job Centers Covered: 39
Top 3-5 Partners of the Workforce EN:
Adult Basic Education, Department of Employment and Economic Development (Job Services and Veteran Services) and Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Kevin
Bio:
Tera Brooks has had the privilege of working with individuals with disabilities for over 15 years.  She is very passionate about working with this population and believes in what “people can do” that matters.  Tera is a Disability Resource Coordinator and assists with the facilitation of the Disability Employment Initiative and the Ticket to Work program at Central MN Jobs & Training Services.  She enjoys helping participants reach their goals and become self- sufficient. #

12. Service area location(s):
Name:
Randall Cook
Title:
Disability Resource Coordinator (DRC)
Service area location(s):
Broome (Binghamton-Johnson City- Endicott) and Tioga (Owego) counties, NY
Phone:
EN Stats:
EN Name:
NYESS – Broome-Tioga Workforce NY
Total # Ticket holders served as of June 2016:
345
Total # Ticket holders working as of June 2016: 34
Milestone to Outcome Ratio:
31:14 (M to O) = 31.1%
CWIC or Cornell Certification in SSA Disability benefits:
Yes
Area(s) of Expertise:
EN/AJC Partnership
SSA disability benefits & work incentives
Other (job search assistance)
Population of the Area Being Served:
246,020
Service Area: Urban, Suburban or Rural or Both:
Urban/Suburban
Major Industries in Your Area:
Healthcare, State & local gov’t., higher education, transportation/warehousing, electronics manufacturing
Number of Job Centers Covered: 2
# of Full-Time Staff located on-site in the Job Centers Covered: 23
Top 3-5 Partners of the Workforce EN:
Acces-VR, Achieve, Catholic Charities, Community Options,
Kevin
Bio:
Randall Cook has served as Disability Resource Coordinator for Broome-Tioga Workforce New York since 2011 under Round 1 of the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) project. Previously, he served in various supervisory positions with Workforce New York. He earned his Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) status through Virginia Commonwealth University in 2012, established an Employment Network, and later joined a statewide EN, NYESS (New York Employment Services System) in 2014.
Mr. Cook has used his 20+ years in managing employment, training and customer service issues to provide direct services in job search and benefits advisement, integrating One-Stop services for individuals with disabilities, and building bridges with agencies serving persons with disabilities. He credits his successes primarily to the leadership of former and current Workforce administrators, the training and encouragement of Kevin Nickerson (former statewide DRC), and consultation with his nearby DRCs, Jason Harriott (Ithaca) and Kathy DeAngelo (Norwich). He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and lives in Binghamton, NY with his wife. #

13. Service area location(s): Phone: Email: EN Stats: EN Name:
Name:
Lauren Parker
Title:
Ticket to Work Program Director
Service area location(s):
Virginia, Maryland, DC
Phone:
(703)
EN Stats:
EN Name:
The SkillSource Group, Inc.
Total # Ticket holders served as of June 2016:
231
Total # Ticket holders working as of June 2016:
116
Milestone to Outcome Ratio:
405:466 (M to O) = 53.5%
CWIC or Cornell Certification in SSA Disability benefits:
Yes
Area(s) of Expertise:
SSA work incentives
EN administration
Other: Establishing partnerships and service coordination
Population of the Area Being Served:
Workforce Area: 1.9 million – covering 3 counties and 4 independent cities
EN Area: million
Service Area: Urban, Suburban or Rural or Both:
Workforce Area: Suburban
EN Area: Urban, Suburban and Rural
Major Industries in Your Area:
Workforce Area: IT, Healthcare, Hospitality, Construction
Number of Job Centers Covered: 6
# of Full-Time Staff located on-site in the Job Centers Covered: 32
Top 3-5 Partners of the Workforce EN:
WIOA Service Providers
Community Partners
VA Dept. for Aging & Rehabilitation (DARS/VR)
Kevin
Bio:
Windy Swearingin is the State of Alaska Project Coordinator for the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. She holds a Dual BS in Elementary and Special Education from Northern Arizona University and a MS in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She came over from education to work as a Disability Resource Coordinator II (DCR) with the State of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development two years ago. In the time she has been with the Alaska EN system, Windy’s focus has been on partnering with other agencies and building Integrated Resources Teams (IRT) for her clients. She has partnered with WIOA adult and youth grantees, Juvenile Justice, and the Alaska Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide her clients with wrap around services.
Recently Windy was promoted the Program Coordinator where she has begun establishing a cross-categorical system of change for ticket holders throughout the state system. A primary focus is to expand the Employment Networks (EN) in the American Job Centers (AJC) from six (6) to ten (10) throughout the state of Alaska. Windy will also be working with management and partnering agencies to continue to embed the Service Delivery Strategies for sustainability under the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) Round IV Grant. #

14. Service area location(s): Phone: Email: EN Stats: EN Name:
Name:
Windy Swearingin
Title:
Project Coordinator, AK Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Service area location(s):
State of Alaska
Phone:
EN Stats:
EN Name:
State of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Total # Ticket holders served as of June 2016: 96
Total # Ticket holders working as of June 2016: 53
Milestone to Outcome Ratio:
109:229 (M to O) = 67.8%
CWIC or Cornell Certification in SSA Disability benefits:
In process
Area(s) of Expertise:
Blending and braiding funds
AJC/EN Activities
Partnering with other agencies
Integrated Resource Teams
Population of the Area Being Served:
735,601
Service Area: Urban, Suburban or Rural or Both:
Urban, Suburban, Rural, Villages
Major Industries in Your Area:
State Government, Fishing, Oil and Gas, Tourism, Mining
Number of Job Centers Covered: 18
# of Full-Time Staff located on-site in the Job Centers Covered: 82
Top 3-5 Partners of the Workforce EN:
AK Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
WIOA Adult and Youth Grantees
Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
Kevin
Bio:
Lauren Parker is the Ticket to Work (TTW) Program Director at The SkillSource Group, the nonprofit arm of the Northern Virginia Workforce Development Board. Initially tasked with implementing Ticket to Work as a part-time consultant, Lauren quickly developed it into the top performing Workforce EN in the State. As a control site under Round 1 of the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI), she communicated EN activities with the state lead and served as a partner and resource to Disability Resource Coordinators (DRCs). Achievements include establishing in-house expertise on Social Security work incentives; the design and delivery of disability training for staff and partners; and developing systems to integrate TTW within the One-Stops.
Lauren holds a BA in International Affairs from James Madison University. Prior to her TTW role, she ran a grant-funded summer youth employment program for TANF recipients at the Fairfax County Department of Family Services. Before entering workforce development, Lauren worked abroad for International House World Organization schools in Poland and South Africa and completed graduate coursework in the Netherlands. She is currently facilitating a new workforce board disability subcommittee and is working on strategies to change policy at the local, state, and federal levels around the treatment of SSDI under the WIOA adult program. #

15. Service area location(s):
Name:
Leslie Wojtowicz
Title:
Development Manager
Service area location(s):
Workforce Service Area 5
Central Minnesota
11 Counties
Phone:
(763)
EN Stats:
EN Name:
Central MN Jobs & Training Services
Total # Ticket holders served as of June 2016: 16
Total # Ticket holders working as of June 2016: 12
Milestone to Outcome Ratio:
38:1 (M to O) = 2.6%
CWIC or Cornell Certification in SSA Disability benefits: No
Area(s) of Expertise:
EN Administration, EN Payments and EN/AJC Services
Population of the Area Being Served:
500,670
Service Area: Urban, Suburban or Rural or Both:
Rural
Major Industries in Your Area:
Healthcare, Manufacturing and Retail
Number of Job Centers Covered: 11
# of Full-Time Staff located on-site in the Job Centers Covered: 39
Top 3-5 Partners of the Workforce EN:
Adult Basic Education, Department of Employment and Economic Development (Job Services and Veteran Services) and Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Kevin
Bio:
Leslie Wojtowicz has been with Central MN Jobs & Training Services for 19 years.  Throughout this time she has held a variety of positions within the agency.  Leslie currently supports the corporation by growing and maintaining business and community partnerships.  She also develops new funding streams to complement existing funding streams through grant writing and fund development initiatives.  Under Leslie’s leadership CMJTS has become a successful Employment Network. #

16. Highlights coming soon for our Maine DEI IV Project statewide Ticket Coordinator, Kathy Hounsel
Kevin – you can give it to me if you want me to make a few quick comments on Kathy and her work in Maine. I’m her TA Liaison. #

17. Kathy DeAngelo Name: Title: Service area location(s): Phone: Email:
INSERT PHOTO
Name:
Kathy DeAngelo
Title:
Disability Resource Coordinator
Service area location(s):
Otsego County, NY
Delaware County, NY
Chenango County, NY
Phone:
ext. 113
EN Stats:
EN Name:
CDO Workforce/NYESS
Total # Ticket holders served as of June 2016: 65
Total # Ticket holders working as of June 2016: 39
Milestone to Outcome Ratio:
41 %
CWIC or Cornell Certification in SSA Disability benefits:
yes
Area(s) of Expertise:
EN/AJC services, SSA benefits & incentives, partnership plus
Population of the Area Being Served:
157,000
Service Area: Urban, Suburban or Rural or Both:
Rural and suburban
Major Industries in Your Area:
Healthcare, Manufacturing, Education, Retail
Number of Job Centers Covered: 4
# of Full-Time Staff located on-site in the Job Centers Covered: 33
Top 3-5 Partners of the Workforce EN:
ACCES-VR, United Way, ARC Otsego
Kevin – we need a headshot for Kathy DeAngelo (I put her second to last so that you can say something about how she will be our next DEI Ticket Ambassador presenting next month – maybe get in a plug here! I will also add info on her and next month at the end!).
Bio: #

18. Service area location(s):
Name:
Kasia DeMauri
Title:
Project Advisor, CA Employment Development Department (EDD)
Service area location(s):
CA Counties of Placer, El Dorado and Alpine
(as DRC; Golden Sierra Job Training Agency Workforce EN)
Phone:
916/ Desk
EN Stats:
EN Name:
Golden Sierra Job Training Agency
Total # Ticket holders served as of June 2016: 35
Total # Ticket holders working as of June 2016: 23
Milestone to Outcome Ratio:
32:18 (M to O) = 36%
CWIC or Cornell Certification in SSA Disability benefits:
Yes
Area(s) of Expertise:
AJC/EN Activities, Outreach/Marketing
Other: Coordinating and Leveraging resources with partners
Population of the Area Being Served:
560,594 (over three counties)
Service Area: Urban, Suburban or Rural or Both:
Rural and Suburban
Major Industries in Your Area:
Local and State Government., Hospitality and Recreation, Healthcare, Retail
Technology
Number of Job Centers Covered: 5
# of Full-Time Staff located on-site in the Job Centers Covered: 15
Top 3-5 Partners of the Workforce EN:
CA Dept. of Rehabilitation (DOR/VR)
WIOA Service Providers
Local Businesses (OJT and Paid Work Experience)
Kevin
Bio:
Kasia DeMauri is a State Project Advisor for the California Employment Development Department (EDD). She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of California at Berkeley and a MS in Human Resources Management from Golden Gate University. She served for five years as the Disability Resource Coordinator (DRC) at the Golden Sierra Job Training Agency Employment Network (EN) before beginning with the EDD. During her tenure as a DRC, Kasia helped establish and market the EN. She also implemented and sustained the Service Delivery Strategies under the Round 2 Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) project. Kasia worked simultaneously as the DRC regarding partner and community services as well as a WIOA Career Planner providing front-line individualized services to participants.
Kasia’s achievements include establishing a system of concurrent service delivery with partners, developing paid Work Experience (WEX) with local businesses, increasing ticket re-assignment to the Workforce EN after successful DOR/VR case closure, and launching a peer-to-peer mentoring group. She is currently developing a presentation to encourage the statewide expansion of Workforce ENs and disability employment grant projects. Kasia lives in Auburn, California with her husband, son and two cats. #

19. Partnership Plus: Action Oriented Solutions
Kevin introduces

20. DEI Ticket Ambassador Presenter
DRC: Kasia DeMauri
Golden Sierra Job Training Agency EN ( )
Current Title: State DEI Project Advisor, California
Organization: CA Employment Development Department (EDD)
Kevin introduces Kasia

21. The Issue
Losing the potential to reassign tickets after a participant/client (hereafter referred to as “candidate”) successfully closes their case with State VR.
And
No relationship with Workforce EN (WFEN) staff, so no trust by the candidate.
Workforce development areas and WFEN have great resources available regarding follow-up and retention. It just makes sense to carry-over the Ticket to Work during these services, so the WFEN can create revenue.
Often this potential is lost, because the candidate has no idea about the Local Area or WFEN services and no relationship or even familiarity with WFEN staff. # 21

22. Concurrent Enrollment/Service Delivery
The Strategy
Concurrent Enrollment/Service Delivery
(Active Resource Coordination (ARC) and Integrated Resource Teams – IRT)
Some workforce areas have been practicing concurrent enrollment and service delivery for a long time. If that is you, I’m looking forward to hearing your comments about successes and challenges later in the call.
For other workforce areas and WFEN, this has been challenging. Sequential services seem to be part of workforce service delivery, but actually providing service as a team around one candidate takes some doing. # 22

23. A Breakdown of How it Works
The Workforce EN first develops relationships with VR Supervisors and Counselors
VR candidates access the WIOA/DEI eligibility process and are enrolled if appropriate
Whenever possible, WFEN staff agrees to hold WIOA program information sessions for potential candidates at the local VR office (group session) or by teleconference (one-on-one session) with the VR Counselor present (Active Resource Coordination – ARC).
Concurrent enrollment and Career Planning (IRT); Includes aligning VR Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) with WIOA Individual Employment Plan (IEP). Will also include alignment of WFEN Individual Work Plan (IWP). May include Career Pathways Individual Learning Plan (ILP), if appropriate.
After employment is achieved and the VR case is successfully closed, the candidate will be given an EN list; the WFEN will be among the choices provided. The candidate may request that VR send the WFEN an EN Referral Form with the WFEN designated as the candidate’s choice.
WFEN staff first develops relationships with VR Supervisors and Counselors by attending VR unit meetings to share information about services the WFEN is uniquely positioned to offer through the WIOA and AJC system. For example, Short Term Prevocational Training Services (STPVTS), paid Work Experience (WEX) and/or Transitional Jobs (TJ). (Partnership and Collaboration, Braiding Funds).
If the relationship is very new, WFEN staff can ask to speak with a VR counselor or supervisor one-on-one to get an outline of the VR eligibility and application process.
Whenever possible, WFEN staff agrees to hold WIOA program information sessions for potential candidates at the local VR office (group session) or by teleconference (one-on-one session) with the VR Counselor present (Active Resource Coordination – ARC).
VR candidates access the WIOA eligibility process and they are enrolled if appropriate.
The WIOA Case Manager will meet with both the VR Counselor and candidate to develop an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) with activities that augment the Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) that is already in place by VR (Partnership and Collaboration and Braiding Funds).
The candidate has one main employment goal that he/she is currently working toward by completing activities with both VR and the WFEN concurrently.
After employment is achieved and the VR case is successfully closed, the candidate will be given an EN list for retention and follow-up services. Although VR cannot designate one EN due to “Consumer Choice”, the WFEN will be among the choices provided. #

24. A Breakdown of How it Works
WFEN staff first develops relationships with VR Supervisors and Counselors by attending VR unit meetings to share information about services the WFEN is uniquely positioned to offer through the WIOA and AJC system. For example, Short Term Prevocational Training Services (STPVTS), paid Work Experience (WEX) and/or Transitional Jobs (TJ). (Partnership and Collaboration, Braiding Funds).
If the relationship is very new, WFEN staff can ask to speak with a VR counselor or supervisor one-on-one to get an outline of the VR eligibility and application process.
Whenever possible, WFEN staff agrees to hold WIOA program information sessions for potential candidates at the local VR office (group session) or by teleconference (one-on-one session) with the VR Counselor present (Active Resource Coordination – ARC).
VR candidates access the WIOA eligibility process and they are enrolled if appropriate.
The WIOA Case Manager will meet with both the VR Counselor and candidate to develop an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) with activities that augment the Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) that is already in place by VR (Partnership and Collaboration and Braiding Funds).
The candidate has one main employment goal that he/she is currently working toward by completing activities with both VR and the WFEN concurrently.
After employment is achieved and the VR case is successfully closed, the candidate will be given an EN list for retention and follow-up services. Although VR cannot designate one EN due to “Consumer Choice”, the WFEN will be among the choices provided. #

25. Outcomes Candidate confusion was decreased
Increased probability that the ticket will be reassigned to the known and trusted WFEN
Willingness of candidates to continue communication with the WFEN when work challenges arise and/or during the follow-up period
Candidate engagement and communication was increased
Smooth transition of ticket reassignment # 25

26. Recap Using a Concurrent Enrollment/Service Delivery strategy can:
Strengthen the WFEN-VR relationship
Decrease candidate confusion while building trust
Increase the likelihood of ticket reassignment to the WFEN after successful VR case closure
Closing Tips:
Initiate the outreach and promote what’s in it for them
Learn their language
Get everyone in the same room
Not only does strengthening the relationship with VR fulfill the Partnerships and Collaboration component of DEI, it can also help facilitate quicker customer need response times when needed.
Decreasing candidate confusion helps the candidate feel more confident that you and the entire IRT cares about their success. Along with confidence comes trust and therefore there is a better chance of a candidate reaching out for assistance even after they become employed – increased retention.
When everyone is in the same room or on the same call, communication is more effective. Questions and answers are heard by all the players – candidate and service providers alike. Often everyone’s accountability is increased, because there is a reduction in “what they said was”.

27. Discussion Items
What experiences have you had with Partnership Plus (VR hand-offs)?
What are examples of Partnership Plus agreements that are in place that you would like to discuss?
Are you having success in serving closed VR cases through Ticket? If so, what is your process?
What other strategies are you using to engage current VR customers for Ticket supports after VR closure?
Miranda

28. Mark Your Calendars
Our next DEI Ticket/Workforce EN Community of Practice will be at 3pm ET on Thursday, October 20th.
The topic will be: “How to Inspire Ticket Holders”
Featuring Kathy DeAngelo from Chenango-Delaware-Otsego (CDO) in New York.
Here is the registration link:
Miranda

29. Contact Information
Miranda Kennedy
Kevin Nickerson
Kasia DeMauri
Please also reference the DEI Ticket Ambassador Contact Chart