The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Ticket to Work program is designed to match employers with people with disabilities who are interested and able to work. A major component of the effort is Employment Networks (EN). ENs are usually nonprofit or private sector organizations that serve as intermediaries in helping employers understand how to accommodate those with special needs in making the transition from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to the workforce.

Finding new organizations to participate as ENs is an ongoing challenge for the initiative. Lindberg Group worked with a coalition of organizations, including the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), to assist SSA with a series of community forums to reach out to organizations that might be interested in becoming ENs. To do this, the Lindberg Group developed a public relations strategy that promoted the forums through story placements in local newspapers and that targeted advertising buys in community newspapers. In addition, the Lindberg Group developed registration materials, press kits and the website used to promote the forums.

As a result of these efforts, each forum was attended by nearly 100 organizations interested in becoming ENs. Story placements included feature stories in The Detroit Free Press, The Orange County Register and numerous local and community newspapers.