Press Release
Memorandum of Understanding Gives Nonprofits New Tool to Strengthen
Business Relationships With SSA, Encourages Greater Awareness of
Ticket to Work Program
On April 10, 2002 Committee Executive Director Lee Wilson signed
a Memorandum of Understanding designed to strengthen the Javits-Wagner-O'Day
(JWOD) Program's partnership with the Social Security Administration.
The document is also signed by SSA's new Commissioner, Jo Anne Barnhart,
who was represented at the meeting by Associate Commissioner for
SSA's Office of Employment Support Programs, Ken McGill.
The Memorandum is a formal statement of mutual cooperation that
outlines the new SSA Commissioner's desire to ensure the agency's
authorized purchasers are aware of the priority source status of
items furnished by NIB- and NISH-associated agencies. This high
level of support for the JWOD mission can be a useful tool, especially
for nonprofit agencies seeking to develop better communications
and new business with SSA on both the local and national levels.
The MOU also expresses the Committee's interest in assisting SSA
in its efforts to recruit nonprofit agencies as Employment Networks
under the Ticket to Work Program. SSA began a three year phase in
of the ticket program in 2002 with a mailing of over 575,000 tickets
to eligible individuals with disabilities in 13 states. There are
currently over 300 organizations that have been approved as Employment
Networks. All JWOD participating agencies should consider the benefits
that becoming an Employment Network can provide for SSA beneficiaries
with disabilities in their communities. These individuals are now
being empowered to exercise greater choice and control over which
agencies they choose to meet their training and employment needs.
Representing NIB at the signing of the Memorandum were Patricia
Beattie, Director of Public Policy and Consumer Affairs, and Christopher
Stearns, National Account Manager. Representing NISH were Tony Young,
Manager of Governmental Affairs, as well as Bill Allen and Shari
Walton of the Governmental Affairs and Workforce Development staff.
NISH is currently assisting SSA in its Employment Network recruitment
effort under a subcontract with the Maximus Corporation. For further
information about the Ticket to Work Program and the benefits of
becoming an Employment Network call 1-866-968-7842. Information
about the Ticket Program can also be found on the web at www.ssa.gov
and www.nish.org/ticket.
Also attending the meeting were Neil Hardman, SSA Employer Outreach
Coordinator, and Bob Hartt, the Committee's Manager for Legislative
Affairs and Program Outreach, who helped develop the Memorandum
of Understanding. Further information about the Memorandum can be
obtained by contacting Bob Hartt at 703-603-7742.
Go to Memorandum of Understanding
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of Understanding in Adobe Acrobat
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