Overview of Employment Support Institute Consultation Services

New policies and program initiatives are making it possible for people with disabilities who receive disability benefits to make more choices about their employment and independent living options. In this evolving environment, advocates and advisors are challenged to adapt to new customer service expectations and to meet new measures of success.

The Employment Support Institute (ESI) at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Business believes that emerging technologies provide organizations and individuals with the best tools to address these opportunities and challenges. Decision support technology, in particular, helps people understand the complex policies that affect them, and to evaluate their options and the consequences of their potential decisions. We will work with you to design strategies to help your organization be most responsive and effective with your customers.

ESI provides fee-based consulting services to organizations that are:

• Looking for ways to use decision support technology to help consumers manage their benefits wisely, including helping them learn how to take best advantage of work incentives available through the Ticket to Work program
• Considering or currently undergoing organizational changes to be more responsive to the needs of recipients of SSI and beneficiaries of SSDI
• Looking for ways to use decision support technology to strategically evaluate possibilities for consumers to achieve Substantial Gainful Activity and zero monthly cash benefits from SSA (achieve Ticket to Work milestone and outcome payments)
• Interested in customizing WorkWORLD^TM software to include State-specific policy and program information
• Working to establish a community or statewide decision support technology network and seeking ways to establish cooperative arrangements to ensure that emerging technologies are being used
• Providing training to consumers, providers, and advocates about Social Security disability policies and programs
• Assisting young people, parents, and advocates with transition planning for employment, independent living, and use of work incentives
• Looking for case examples that teach how WorkWORLD software may be used most effectively in their State and local communities

Contact Jim Troxell, ESI's Network Developer at jltroxel@vcu.edu or call 804-828-1992 if you have ideas or questions about ESI's consultation services.