Evaluation of the Ticket to Work Program, Implementation ...

68As of July 2004, there were about 1.8 ENs for every 10,000 Ticket eligible beneficiariesin Phase 1 states, on average, and slightly fewer in Phase 2 states, but EN availability variedconsiderably by state (Table V.2). For example, Mississippi had just 0.23 ENs per 10,000Ticket eligible beneficiaries, while North Dakota had over 5. This number, although quitesmall, overstates the availability of ENs given that most ENs are not taking Tickets andtherefore not actively providing services. In addition, some of the ENs that are takingTickets are small and do not currently have the capacity to serve more than a fewbeneficiaries. For the next report we will explore other indicators of EN availability,including the number in each county.B. EN PARTICIPATION DECISIONS AND SUCCESS IN TTWFrom February through October 2004, we collected qualitative data through 47 inpersonand telephone interviews. We spoke with representatives of 29 ENs, 8 SVRAs, and10 former ENs (organizations that had formally withdrawn from the program). We alsointerviewed representatives of 14 agencies that had attended an EN Opportunity Conferencesponsored by the Program Manager but decided not to become ENs. Except wherespecified, the information in the remainder of the chapter is drawn from these interviews.Appendix D describes sampling and data collection activities.This section explores the factors affecting EN participation in the program, which ENshave received TTW payments, and the factors that influence their financial success in thisearly period of TTW implementation. The experiences of these ENs may be a harbinger offuture program participation and success.1. Factors Affecting EN Participationa. Current ParticipationTo participate as an EN, agencies must submit an application to the Program Manager.Once the application is reviewed by the Program Manager and approved by SSA, the ENmay start accepting Tickets from beneficiaries.Many representatives of the participating ENs we interviewed in 2004 cited the samebasic reasons for joining TTW that were cited by those interviewed in 2002. For instance,most of the 29 EN representatives we interviewed saw TTW as a program that would becongruent with their mission, which revolves largely around the delivery of human services.In the words of one organization president, “This is what we do. Ticket to Work fitsperfectly with our work.” Some EN representatives saw TTW as a way to extend theirservices to a new area or to different types of clients. ENs generally did not approach TTWfrom a business perspective. Indeed, only eight ENs had developed a formal business plan.Most of the rest treated assessments of potential profitability as little more than “back-ofthe-envelopecalculations.” Because nearly all had provided services to SSA beneficiariesbefore TTW, they saw in TTW the potential to bring in an unknown amount of additionalrevenue, blending program services into those they regularly offer.V: EN Participation in Ticket to Work