This report presents descriptions of 32 Employment Networks (ENs) across the country participating in the Ticket to Work program. The ENs included businesses, independent living centers, faith-based organizations, local Workforce Investment Boards, and other agencies and organizations, and served a variety of targeted consumer groups. Through telephone interviews and document review, the study found several common themes and business practices shared by the ENs.

Most ENs had decided to participate in the Ticket program because they were positioned to do so and the program was consistent with their core business and mission. ENs tended to use existing organizational resources and staff to serve Ticket-holders, and most had at least one staff person dedicated to the Ticket program. ENs usually used up-front screening tools to assess Ticket-holders. Some ENs employed various marketing techniques, and others did no marketing Many ENs reported that local Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) programs were valuable partners, and collaborated extensively with other organizations, including state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and One-Stop Centers. While many ENs successfully used partnerships with employers to help Ticket holders find jobs, others reported that the local economy was a barrier to employment.