text:
A Cornucopia of Classical Homeschoolers!
- Hal and Melanie Young The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
- 2011 23 May
David Farragut was a midshipman when he was made the prize master of a captured British vessel. As he sailed home with his skeleton crew, the British captain escaped, set free his crew, and tried to retake his ship. Farragut led the fight to recapture them and successfully brought the prize to home port. He was 12 years old.1
When we first read stories like that from American history, we wondered why young men seemed so capable and mature in the early days of our country. We wanted our children to have the kind of education our nation's heroes did—a classical education.
We've homeschooled from a classical perspective for seventeen years, long before most of the current books, curricula, or classes were offered. The classical method of education was the traditional way to pass on Western civilization before public schools were redesigned to try and remake children into interchangeable "human resources."
The classical method follows the natural abilities of each stage of childhood: first, facts are learned by memorization; then discussion guides them into a logical understanding; and finally they put it all together to tackle advanced subjects and learn how to defend an argument. This is the classical "trivium" of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. The subject matter is the great books of Western civilization, starting with the Bible and stretching from the ancient to modern masters of art, literature, and science.
Kim Tweten follows this approach with her three children, aged 9, 6, and 5.
The classical method has been a great benefit in the home education of our children. It is an orderly method of learning and lends itself to ease in teaching. As we introduce each subject, we are laying firm groundwork for the next level of understanding. For example, each child in our family learns the definition of each part of speech and then learns to identify those parts in sentences. After a bit of rehearsal, they are well equipped to begin forming sentences of their own. That sentence practice leads to the basics of paragraph writing, where you build a paragraph around a topic using supporting sentences. The transition to writing stories, papers, and book reports has been natural.
We see this same pattern of understanding in each of the subjects our children study. Once a firm foundation with the basics in each subject is established, there is a natural flow toward application and interrogation of those basic facts. Through this process our children see that understanding things from the bottom up will provide them with the tools to explore and understand anything they encounter!
The method is flexible and varies from family to family, so we asked several mothers to share what it looks like in their homeschools. Jennifer Kittell found it was a practical solution to her questions about homeschooling her children, aged 6, 4, and 1.
Our journey schooling with classical education started the day I said to the kids, "Hurry up and finish your work so we can get to work!" As soon as that sentence exited my mouth I knew how silly it sounded. Why did they have workbooks to teach them what life was going to teach them? Now we use workbooks and textbooks sparingly and just use a scope and sequence to guide me. Our lives are much happier, less time constraining, and a lot more educational!
Kellyann Walker has three young children, aged 7, 5, and almost 2. She is looking forward to the systematic teaching that classical education will bring to her homeschool.
We began the research process of what homeschooling would entail while we were pregnant with our first child. I came across The Well-Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer, and the book just spoke to me. After reading the beginning section, I told my husband that I thought the classical style was what we were looking for. The classical style stems from living books and lots of them.
The connection between the three stages of learning (the trivium) and the normal divisions of elementary, middle school, and high school seemed to be exactly right for what we felt the Lord was calling us to in homeschooling. We believe the way that classical education was organized helped make the learning process much easier. Because we would start in the beginning, with Creation, and continue chronologically through the subjects (including art, history, music, and science), they would meld together to create a beautiful picture and help our children retain more.
We've found that the Great Books have challenged and influenced our children much more than the teaching method itself. Some families, like ours, seldom or never use outside classes, but others find them helpful to deepen their children's exposure to "the Great Conversation" of Western thought. Connie Hernandez says her 15-year-old son has enjoyed them.
In sixth grade, my son Andrew took Latin online through Memoria Press. It was a challenge, but it was very good for him. He learned a lot and it stretched him to try harder. He was very determined to learn.
In 8th and 9th grades, he has been taking the Omnibus course online through Veritas Press. This includes theology, literature, and history. It uses the great classics in the curriculum. He has been asked to read some very deep works, such as Eusebius'sChurch Historyand the works of Herodotus and Homer. This has really stretched him beyond measure. He loves his teacher and loves doing debates online and thinking outside the box. He loves to analyze and research topics more deeply. It has been great for him.
Theories are good, but sooner or later we have to adapt our ideals to the reality of life. How does classical education work in a big, busy family? Carmen Revels has seven children from 16 to 21 months of age, and she also lives on a mini-farm full of animals.
After reading a popular classical education book and perusing the suggested schedules for children the ages of ours, reality quickly butted heads with the ideal education I saw described in those pages. I knew that to try and incorporate even half of the recommended studies amidst newborns (babies and animals), adventurous toddlers, outside activities, church functions, and never-ending housework would be a stretch. So we focused on reading, math, Bible, and some writing in the early years, a kind of a basic approach to classical education. Reading good books and primary sources is foundational to a classical education, and one book that we have always relied on as a primary source is the Bible.
Our homeschool history club has afforded many opportunities to use primary sources. While working on essays and projects for competition, our kids have interviewed WWII veterans, read letters written during the Civil War, and looked at documents in the archives of the USS North Carolina. There is much value in learning from someone who actually made the history.
We gleaned what could work for our family and are endeavoring to give our kids a quality education, always striving to remember that all is for naught if God is not in it.
Renee Aleshire Brown, on the other hand, has only one son, but she is still learning that classical education gives students what they need to learn on their own.
In Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn's book Teaching the Trivium, I liked the idea of providing the "tools necessary with which to learn on their own," because I was already doing that with my son. I found the stages to be similar to my own philosophy of learning and my family's spiritual ideals. I felt the three stages of the classical education approach were aligned with scriptural teachings, specifically, Proverbs 1:1–7; Proverbs 4:1–9, and Daniel 2:20–22; therefore, this approach seemed the natural choice for me.
Because it is adapted for each child's skill level, I have found that classical education has allowed me to teach Jonathan at his own level, while giving him the freedom to learn in his own way. Now he is 7, and I am beginning to see the stage of understanding light up his face as he is practicing problem solving in 4th grade math.
That independence has been a real benefit of classical education in our family too. During the past two years, we've endured a father's cancer treatment and a baby with a heart condition, all while traveling and speaking around the country. The inquiring minds our children developed have helped us keep moving in the midst of struggles and busyness.
In many years of classical home education, we've had mountaintop experiences and magnificent successes, as well as times we haven't accomplished nearly what we had hoped to accomplish. As a whole, though, it has been a blessing to us and to the children. Our son's classmate at a top-twenty college once said: "I wish I'd been homeschooled. You've had a much better education than I had."
Our children are getting a much better education than we did too. More than that, they've learned true wisdom—yes, from the great thinkers of history, but especially in the light of the Word of God—and the gaining of wisdom is far better than a thousand completed workbooks!
Hal and Melanie Young are the parents of six sons and two daughters, whom they have been homeschooling from the beginning. Hal and Melanie are the authors of Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching and Appreciating Boys, as well as an upcoming book about marriage. When they aren't traveling the country speaking about raising boys, Biblical family life, and homeschooling, they live in noisy familial bliss in North Carolina. www.RaisingRealMen.com and http://www.facebook.com/raisingrealmen
1. George Ramsey Clark et al.,A Short History of the United States Navy, (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott, 1911), p. 178.
Copyright, 2011. Used with permission. All rights reserved by author. Originally appeared in The Old Schoolhouse®Magazine, Winter 2010-11.
Visit The Old Schoolhouse® at www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com to view a full-length sample copy of the print magazine especially for homeschoolers. Click the graphic of the moving computer monitor on the left. Email the Publisher at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
DALLAS — Southwest Airlines Co. launched a fare sale on Tuesday for travel this winter, and rival airlines began matching the prices on many routes.
Southwest said it was offering round trips starting at $98 for flights under 500 miles each way, with longer round trips costing up to $298. It said that the prices were good until midnight Thursday night and also applied to its AirTran Airways subsidiary.
The company said that sale prices applied to a limited number of seats, covered only nonstop flights, weren't available on Fridays or Sundays, and carried other restrictions. The offer covered travel between Dec. 4 and Dec. 18, and again between Jan. 7 and Feb. 12.
By Tuesday afternoon, United, Delta, American and US Airways began offering similar prices and restrictions on most domestic routes that they share with Southwest, according to Rick Seaney, CEO of fare-tracking website FareCompare.com.
Separately, Travelocity.com said Tuesday that the average domestic airfare for Thanksgiving travel was $415 including taxes, an increase of 7 percent from last year. The online travel agency said many popular routes were cheaper than $415, however. It advised travelers to book flights before Nov. 10, when it expects fares to start rising sharply.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.
Send questions/comments to the editors.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Difference between revisions of "Code4Lib Norcal 2018"
|Line 31:
|Line 31:
== Registration Link ==
== Registration Link ==
Please register [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEwc0_r52NkDlNJWi5YyNO2QvkadCSkOPjM8OXgtxDzz65AQ/viewform here]. Note that registration is free, but we do have a few requests:
Please register [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEwc0_r52NkDlNJWi5YyNO2QvkadCSkOPjM8OXgtxDzz65AQ/viewform here]. Note that registration is free, but we do have a few requests:
Revision as of 15:35, 16 July 2018
- 1 Code4Lib NorCal Summer 2018 Meeting
- 1.1 About
- 1.2 Schedule & Call for Sessions
- 1.3 Registration Link
- 1.4 Getting to + around San Jose State University
- 1.5 Other Logistics
- 1.6 NorCal Event & Planning Contacts
- 1.7 Expectation of Code4Lib NorCal Participants and Code4Lib NorCal Event Code of Conduct
- 1.8 About Code4Lib NorCal
Code4Lib NorCal Summer 2018 Meeting
August 31st, 2018 || 9 AM to 5 PM || Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library on the San Jose State University campus
We're holding a free Code4Lib Northern California (NorCal) regional meeting & unconference on August 31, 2018. This meeting will be held at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library on the San Jose State University campus.
The day will be a mix of sessions, workshops, lightning talks, and break-outs. We welcome all participants and folks with any interest in Code4Lib Community and/or library technology.
Schedule & Call for Sessions
We want this event to be a mix of both unconference-influenced sessions. This can help bring folks together to work, learn and play, but also frame the work (and play) being done.
Below is our general schedule for the Code4Lib NorCal 2018 Event, but you're encouraged to read and add your ideas, proposals, interest, or comments to: our interactive Schedule Google Doc
- 8 - 9 AM: Space Setup
- 9 - 9:45 AM: Breakfast (on your own) / General Free Time
- 9:45 - 10 AM: Full Group: Introductions
- 10 - Noon: Full Group: Lightning Talks
- Noon - 1:30 PM: Lunch (on your own)
- 1:30 - 2:45 PM: Break-outs
- 2:45 - 3 PM: Transition / Break
- 3 - 4:15 PM: Break-outs
- 4:15 - 4:30 PM: Transition / Break
- 4:30 - 5 PM: Full Group: Wrap-up & Planning Code4Lib NorCal Going Forward
- 5 - 6 PM: Tear down
We are currently calling for folks to propose lightning talks, workshops, or informal breakout sessions. You can propose any of these in our schedule document, linked to below. The interactive schedule will have any proposed sessions, a place to express interest in breakouts, and our list of lightning talks! Explanations of the format and mix of sessions can be found in that interactive schedule. There will be a chance to propose a few limited sessions at the event as well.
Interactive Schedule Google Doc
Registration Link
Please register here. Note that registration is free, but we do have a few requests:
- you will be expected to follow the Code4Lib NorCal Code of Conduct;
- if you are unable to attend, please let us know so we can keep our numbers up to date.
Getting to + around San Jose State University
There are helpful maps, travel directions, parking options, and public transit options for getting to the San Jose State University campus listed here: TODO Some parking-specific information is also here: TODO
Map of the San Jose State University Campus & Library:
We are meeting in room 255 of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library on the San Jose State University campus (150 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95112). See a map that also has a few food options and transportation spots listed here:
TODO: https://drive.google.com/open?id=10k2vW0_FPuAnQsCYHzxcK-iKfdw&usp=sharing
Other Logistics
TODO: Notes about coffee / food / etc
TODO: Notes about wi-fi (e.g. Eduroam? Visitor network info?)
TODO: Notes about A/V (from 2017: For the lightning talks and break-outs, we will try to have projectors, screens, whiteboards, and common project<=>laptop (mostly hdmi) connections available for folks to use. Please bring your own adapter if you have something odd and may want to project your screen.)
NorCal Event & Planning Contacts
If you have any questions or concerns about this meeting, you can contact us:
- on the #norcal channel on the Code4Lib Slack;
- on the Code4Lib NorCal Google Group;
- or email Chris Beer and Christina Harlow directly.
If you would like to help with planning, thank you! We are keeping all planning information, confirmed details, and participation steps is in this open Google document:
Planning Working Document in Google Drive
Feel free to add a comment or volunteer to take a task on. And thank you!
Expectation of Code4Lib NorCal Participants and Code4Lib NorCal Event Code of Conduct
Code4Lib Norcal is an inclusive, friendly and safe collaboration opportunity. Code4Lib Norcal was conceived and executed as a collaborative, community focused effort from its beginnings, committed to openness and transparency in all that it does: code, designs, discussions. We are equally committed to helpful and respectful communication.
Code4Lib Norcal and Stanford University are dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone regardless of gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Sexual or discriminatory language and imagery is not appropriate for any event venue, including talks and associated social events. Participants at an event violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled at the discretion of the organizers, and their details provided to partner institutions and events.
Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexual and or discriminatory images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
Participants asked, by anyone, to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or immediate expulsion from the event. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of the event staff immediately.
Event staff can be identified by their name badges, and will help participants contact security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. (This code of conduct is adapted from the LDCX, Digital Library Federation and Project Hydra)
About Code4Lib NorCal
For more information on Code4Lib Northern California, review this collection of pages which also has details from past events, join the Code4Lib NorCal Google Group, and/or join the Code4Lib #norcal Slack Channel.
If you want to propose, collaborate on planning, or support Code4Lib Northern California event(s) in 2018 or in the future, use the Google Group and/or the Slack channel to alert your regional neighbors (who can help, give feedback, highlight possible schedule conflicts, etc.).


text: One love, I want to further illustrate the importance of idenity and communication to me. I understand communication to drive and act as a catalyst for diversifying pros. This in the context of being about me proves to me the necessary ambiguity and of course the "leader intensive" roles of communication. During my undergrad I had a chance further education for a blog, and one thing I remember is it told me that writing is intensive and requires communication. Amid it as it is to be when projected to describe communication as the corner stone for the better evolution. With this being said, I am communication as gorged is important and Techrepublic similar, states this by saying, maintaining regular and open communication smooths the flow of instructions. Sparking this conscious recedes from an early assessment or preparation to become a person. This in-part was presented by researching about writers and my understanding of compliance and leading as the "Leader", but more importantly communication, because the essential progress is the indicator anything is being communicated. In ways communication needs to be received and understood. This proactive approach to communication ensures the success of the Communication in all talks. The relation an at many levels a great importance, because it inhibits the ability to address goals, objectives, and again flow. Rather the documented writing address aspects and topics: Keyed, results, quality reviews, etc. I am the plan, is the concern, which sets a reasonable expectation for speech in regards to project communication.


text:
XII. TTW Program Implementation by SSA and the Program Manager
SSA and its contractors pay a critical role in implementing TTW in a market-based environment. They must ensure an adequate supply of employment service providers as well as adequate demand for employment services from beneficiaries and establish a structure to operate a successful program. To create and support this market, SSA and its subcontractors must undertake several important functions:
Inform Beneficiaries: A well-functioning market requires that beneficiaries understand their options and can make effective choices. SSA and the Program Manager inform beneficiaries through Ticket mailings, marketing TTW to beneficiaries, supporting the BPAO program, and direct interactions with beneficiaries through SSA field offices and the Program Manager toll-free telephone call center.
Inform Providers. A well-functioning market also requires that potential providers understand the opportunities for generating revenue from TTW and that ENs understand the rules for accepting Tickets and getting paid. SSA and the Program Manager deliver needed information through mailings to potential providers, conducting informational meetings around the country, and communicating through SSA field offices and the Program Manager telephone center.
Operate an Efficient Payment System. A key to the market is for SSA to manage the Ticket payment process so that it provides a financial incentive sufficient to encourage providers to participate actively. In particular, payments should be timely to minimize capital carrying costs for providers, they should be predictable so that providers can forecast their revenue, and the costs of generating the payments should leave the provider with net revenues that provide a reasonable return on investment. SSA and the Program Manager operate the payment system and process payments within the context of the complex rules of the DI, SSI, and TTW programs.
Improve the System. The Ticket act recognized that the initial specifications for TTW may not have been optimal and thus granted the commissioner the authority to make limited modifications to the program to improve its functioning. SSA has enhanced its internal systems at all levels of the organization to implement TTW. It has modified several aspects of the TTW program and has proposed a substantial revision to program operations and the payment systems.
Implementation of TTW has been a daunting challenge. SSA has distributed Tickets to more than 11 million beneficiaries, processed milestone-only and outcome-only payments to ENs, and launched several initiatives, including the BPAO program and expedited reinstatement. SSA has developed a new data system to manage the Ticket program, new case processing software called eWork and has trained field staff in TTW and other work incentives. The Program Manager has contacted over 50,000 employment providers and enrolled about 1,300 of them as ENs. SSA has accomplished these changes in the context of complex DI, SSI, and TTW program rules and existing work incentives and without additional funds to implement TTW. In such a context, these activities constitute a significant achievement in the scant five years of TTW operation.
However, the program still appears to suffer from core problems, including lack of beneficiary demand, low EN participation, and, most important, an inadequate payment structure (see Chapters VIII through XIII for a full discussion of these issues). Despite several beneficiary and EN marketing initiatives, both the supply of providers and demand for services remain low. The complexity of the market and the sluggishness of the provider and beneficiary response create little incentive for active participation in TTW. Providers and beneficiaries alike still lack basic information about how the program operates. The payment process is complex, slow, and uncertain, with little financial incentive to providers.
The Ticket act requires SSA to undertake a periodic review and revision of program regulations to ensure successful program implementation. After conducting a thorough review of the program, SSA promulgated regulations that expand eligibility to include beneficiaries whose medical condition is expected to improve, altered the way SVRAs participate in the program, and substantially changed the EN payment schedule. SSA's major task during the coming year is to finalize and implement these new regulations.
This chapter describes implementation of TTW from the perspective of the organizations that implement the program—SSA and the Program Manager. From April through June 2005, we conducted site visits to three regional offices that encompassed large Phase 2 and 3 Ticket rollout states within their region.1 We interviewed the regional office Ticket coordinator in all three regions; in some instances, the director of the Center for Disability and the public affairs specialist were also present for the interview. In each region, we selected two field offices representing different states in each region according to which office had more experience processing return-to-work cases, including TTW cases. In each field office, we interviewed the area work incentives coordinator (AWIC), the work incentives liaison (WIL), the field office manager, and, in some cases, the SSI and DI technical experts. In September 2005, we interviewed representatives of the Office of Employment Support Programs (OESP), the Office of Systems, and the Program Manager. This chapter also builds on interviews, conducted for earlier evaluation reports, with five regional and three field offices (Livermore et al. 2003; Thornton et al. 2004).
We begin this chapter with a brief review of how SSA has organized implementation of TTW. We then describe efforts to inform beneficiaries about TTW and efforts to encourage providers to participate. We also present a discussion of EN payment processing issues and close with a review of SSA initiatives to improve the program, including the provision of training and technical assistance to field offices, the enhancement of system automation, and the promulgation of new regulations.
A. Implementation Overview
Congress did not allocate specific funds to SSA to implement TTW; accordingly, SSA reallocated existing resources to meet TTW implementation goals and distributed tasks related to TTW implementation throughout the agency. OESP took the lead, with substantial support from the Office of Systems and the Office of Operations, and with additional support from several other SSA offices. OESP developed the rules, regulations, systems, and processes within SSA to manage the program. Such an undertaking required a tremendous effort because the eligibility and payment rules mean that TTW must interact with every component of the SSI and DI programs. OESP administers and oversees contracts with the Program Manager and other organizations hired to market and implement the program. As of October 2005, OESP has been enrolling providers that want to become ENs. It also assists with payment processing by referring requests requiring additional documentation to the appropriate field office.
The Program Manager operates the toll-free telephone call center, processes Ticket assignments, and prepares payments for submission to SSA. Until October 2005, the Program Manager processed EN applications, marketed TTW to potential ENs, and participated in beneficiary marketing activities. As of October 2005, SSA split the Program Manager contract into two functions; SSA awarded to Maximus the toll-free telephone call center and payment-processing functions and awarded to Cherry Engineering Support Systems, Inc. (CESSI) the contract for the Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach (PMRO), which is responsible for increasing awareness of and participation in TTW by both ENs and beneficiaries.
SSA has allocated a Ticket coordinator within each region to coordinate implementation activities at the regional level. The coordinator serves as the conduit for information from OESP to the field offices, coordinates training for field office staff, and troubleshoots other implementation issues. The AWICs report to the area director and work closely with the Ticket coordinator. The field offices respond to beneficiary requests for information about TTW; they also process earnings reports from beneficiaries and ENs as well as expedited reinstatements.
SSA has also done the following: implemented a comprehensive evaluation of TTW, solicited advice from two expert panels, produced information to help ENs find operating capital, modified the payment claims process, and drafted regulations specifying broader improvements to TTW.
B. Informing Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries are first informed about TTW when they receive the Ticket mailing. They are referred to the toll-free telephone call center, which is operated by the Program Manager, for more details. But the TTW participation rate remains low. Therefore, SSA and the Program Manager have initiated new approaches to marketing the program. Marketing to beneficiaries included development of promotional materials, expositions in 10 cities, and targeted mailings. In addition, SSA regional and field offices educate beneficiaries about TTW and other work incentives through the AWICs. These efforts are described below.
1. Ticket Distribution and Toll-Free Telephone Call Center
As of August 15, 2005, SSA had distributed almost 10.5 million Tickets to beneficiaries since TTW's initiation.2 The rollout of TTW was completed in November 2004; since then, Tickets are issued only to "new accretions:" beneficiaries who have recently been determined eligible for SSI or DI benefits and beneficiaries originally awarded benefits under the "medical improvement expected" category whose benefits have been continued after a medical disability review. Once each month, these newly eligible beneficiaries are selected by SSA from the Integrated Disability Management System (IDMS),3 and Tickets are mailed to them. Between 75,000 and 80,000 Tickets are mailed each month, with mailings staggered throughout the month to enable the Program Manager to manage the spikes in call volume generated by the mailings. The mailings contain a brief letter with introductory information about TTW, a Ticket, and a brochure explaining the program in more detail and telling readers about ENs, SVRA, the BPAO program, and the protection and advocacy organization. The brochure directs interested beneficiaries to contact the Program Manager by telephone or Internet to obtain contact information for all of the referenced organizations. The brochure also informs beneficiaries that the program is voluntary and that CDRs are waived while Tickets are in use, but it does not state that the program goal is for beneficiaries eventually to leave the SSA rolls.
Representatives of the Program Manager report that the call volume has dropped, but not by as much as the decline in volume of Tickets mailed. Since the end of rollout, the TTW toll-free telephone call center receives 11,000 to 12,000 calls per month from TTW beneficiaries, down from 65,000 to 75,000 calls during some months early in Phase 1. The callers represent new Ticket recipients as well as beneficiaries requesting a reissue of a Ticket they have already received; about 3,000 reissued Tickets are mailed per month. The Program Manager has somewhat decreased the number of toll-free telephone call center staff but reports that the staff generally has no difficulty responding to callers during peak calling periods directly after Tickets are mailed.
2. Marketing to Beneficiaries
In September 2003, SSA awarded a two-year contract to Fleishman-Hillard to develop a strategic marketing plan, conduct 10 expositions around the country, and create marketing materials to support TTW and other employment support programs. The strategic marketing plan was scheduled for completion on September 30, 2005, and was not available for review as of this writing.4
The purpose of the expositions was to generate interest in TTW among SSA beneficiaries and employment service providers. The expositions were held in 10 states from June through September 2005 ( New Jersey, Vermont, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Montana, Mississippi, California, and Washington) and were based on the theme "It Pays to Check It Out!" No accurate data are available on attendance, but estimates range from 1,000 to 3,000 attendees for all 10 events. Attendees included beneficiaries, EN representatives, BPAO program staff, disability program navigators, and SVRA representatives. During the expositions, SSA reissued about 200 Tickets and accepted 70 Part D Medicare applications. The expositions allowed time for meetings between beneficiaries and representatives of BPAO, disability program navigators, and SSA officials. In addition to motivational speakers, the expositions featured stories of beneficiary success in using TTW and enabled beneficiaries to practice their interview skills and log on to www.monster.com to identify job openings. Given that almost 2.7 million Tickets were mailed to the 10 states with expositions, the expositions constituted a relatively small public awareness campaign.
Fleishman-Hillard has also assisted SSA by developing TTW marketing/promotional materials, including posters, brochures, and a day planner to track progress in finding employment along the same theme as the expositions. SSA officials distributed the materials at the expositions, where participants could evaluate the marketing materials by filling out an evaluation form.
SSA conducted a pilot test of the marketing materials in July 2005 by targeting different brochures to particular beneficiary groups to see which type of information elicited the greatest response. SSA mailed two waves of information to approximately 338,000 people in five states— Illinois, New York, Michigan, Arizona, and Florida. The first mailing targeted randomly selected beneficiaries who had been mailed Tickets but had not yet assigned them: SSI and DI beneficiaries in Illinois, New York, and Michigan; SSI beneficiaries only in Arizona; and DI beneficiaries only in Florida. The second mailing in each state targeted randomly selected beneficiaries in the same populations that had contacted the Program Manager at least once but had not assigned their Ticket. SSA mailed four publications: one general flier, one general postcard, one general pamphlet with the telephone number of the Florida BPAO (mailed only to Florida beneficiaries), and one general pamphlet with contact information for an EN, the Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (mailed only to Arizona beneficiaries). The two pamphlets note on the cover page that it is possible to work and keep medical coverage, but they provide no further details about TTW.
The Program Manager tracked the volume of calls to the toll-free telephone call centers from beneficiaries in the states where the mailings were conducted and where the expositions were held. Call volume to the Program Manager increased by 35 percent during the month after the first mailing, but information on calls by state was not tabulated. Because callers did not provide identifying information other than their city and state, it was impossible to determine whether they called in response to a mailing or an exposition, or for some other reason; in addition, the effects of the four publications and the target groups in different states cannot be disentangled. SSA officials say that they will not track whether beneficiaries who received the various mailings assign their Tickets; thus, unfortunately, the impact of the marketing efforts cannot be fully evaluated.
As of October 2005, CESSI assumed responsibility for PMRO, which includes conferences, presentations, and partnerships that can increase beneficiary awareness of TTW and beneficiary willingness to participate. In addition, PMRO will collaborate with BPAOs to conduct work incentive seminars in order to interact individually with beneficiaries to educate them about TTW and other work incentives and counsel them with respect to their specific circumstances and concerns.
At the SSA regional and field office levels, AWICs5 work closely with SSA's public affairs specialists to educate beneficiaries and service providers about the TTW program and other work incentives. For example, SSA organized programs in each state before TTW rollout to educate community-based service providers, advocates, SVRAs, and beneficiaries about TTW, SSA work incentives, health insurance, and services provided by BPAO and ENs. During the first year after each phase of rollout, AWICs we interviewed for the study said that they were proactive—contacting service providers, advocacy organizations, and other organizations promoting employment—and offered to make presentations at or participate in conferences and other outreach activities. Now that TTW is completely rolled out, AWICs are more reactive—they participate as they are invited. As demand for TTW outreach has slowed with the completion of rollout, AWICs said that SSA officials have asked them to assist with marketing the Medicare Part D drug benefit; however, AWICs are still available to conduct employment-related outreach as needed.
C. Informing Providers
To increase the supply of ENs, the Program Manager developed or refined several approaches to marketing TTW, including the City Campaign (discussed below), targeting its marketing to large providers in areas with major concentrations of beneficiaries, participating in provider conferences and expositions, and reaching out through printed information. The Program Manager has also provided new technical assistance and training for ENs, including new support for submitting payment requests, the continuation of capitalization seminars, and the release of two volumes of a publication entitled "Inside Employment Networks."
1. Marketing to Providers
To make more efficient use of resources and to target recruitment efforts in areas with a large number of beneficiaries, the Program Manager initiated the City Campaign in November 2004 to boost EN interest in TTW in five metropolitan areas with the greatest concentration of beneficiaries. Such areas may be most likely to have a sufficient number of beneficiaries interested in work to support an active TTW market. To carry out the City Campaign, the Program Manager formed the National Alliance for the Ticket to Work, which is led by the National Association of Workforce Boards and includes several national private and government organizations. The Program Manager and the National Alliance worked during the late spring and summer of 2005 to form community-level collaborations—with city governments, state agencies, for-profit and nonprofit service providers, business leaders, and consumer groups—to promote TTW. The Program Manager held regional EN recruitment events in each of the five cities to bring together participating ENs and other Ticket partners, such as representatives of BPAO programs and One-Stop Employment Centers. According to the Program Manager, nearly 1,000 people attended the events, including providers, employers, and community representatives. To continue the community outreach effort following completion of the City Campaign on September 30, 2005, the National Alliance selected eight ENs throughout the five communities to serve as sustainability champions and offer technical assistance to ENs and other organizations in their region. The organizations received capacity-building training and technical support from the Program Manager and Fieldstone Alliance6 throughout the summer.
The Program Manager has not noted an increase in EN enrollment or Ticket assignments in the five City Campaign metropolitan areas, and SSA staff expressed disappointment that the national organizations did not play a stronger role in the campaign. But Program Manager staff points to a different type of success whereby EN networks have attracted funding for ENs to provide upfront services to Ticket holders from the Community Technology Foundation in California. The foundation awarded $100,000 to each of three ENs in California: one to increase services to individuals with multiple sclerosis who speak languages other than English; one to expand services to rural populations; and one to support a Ticket outreach program in Greater Los Angeles. They hope that these models will spur the development of similar approaches in other cities. Officials from the Program Manager assert that it is too early to tell what other positive impacts the City Campaign will generate.
As in years past, the Program Manager staff continues to send workshop proposals to national and state organizations' planning conferences. They also generate articles for newsletters and distribute a monthly newsletter called "Inside Ticket." Often, providers ignore the Program Manager's efforts to promote TTW through other organizations because, according to Program Manager officials, "The providers feel there is nothing new to report." They are growing increasingly frustrated with trying to sell a program in which interest is diminishing. "When bad press precedes you and people have already heard that ENs have not received payments and are losing money, it makes the program a hard sell," one Program Manager representative said.
Under PMRO, awarded in October 2005, CESSI plans to attend conferences, deliver presentations, and forge partnerships to recruit traditional and nontraditional ENs.
2. Training and Technical Assistance for ENs
Although the Program Manager has continued to assist ENs with enrollment in TTW, and with development of the IWP and other aspects of service provision, the Program Manager by far devoted the most effort during 2005 to assist ENs in submitting documentation and receiving payment. Technical assistance takes place by telephone, through an online discussion group, and through distance learning courses on the web and on CD-ROM. Program Manager staff also continue to contact each EN by telephone every month to discuss assigned Tickets and problems or to answer questions.
To meet the increased demand for technical assistance on submitting payments, t he Program Manager established a new unit to deal with payment matters. Because of the high turnover in EN staff, however, retraining is often necessary. The EN and Program Manager officials we interviewed for the study agree that each payment involves several contacts, a process that is time-consuming, cumbersome, and often frustrating for all concerned. Because of their dissatisfaction with the payment system, some ENs have threatened to drop out of TTW, although they sometimes remain providers once they begin receiving payments but refuse to accept new Tickets. (See Chapter X and Section C below for a fuller discussion of payment issues.)
The Program Manager continued to hold EN capitalization seminars throughout the country during 2004 and 2005 in order to assist ENs in raising money to cover the upfront costs of serving TTW beneficiaries. The goal is to assist ENs in locating and applying for additional funding to support their efforts in advance of receiving Ticket payments. Thornton et al. (2006; Chapters V and VII) provide more details about EN reactions to the capitalization initiative.
The Program Manager has produced two volumes of a publication entitled "Inside Employment Networks" and made them available on its website (www.yourtickettowork.com/marketing_best_practices). The booklets highlight ENs that, according to the Program Manager, appear to be seeing some success with TTW. The publications describe those ENs' program models, screening processes, and "promising practices." The Program Manager selected ENs for inclusion in the booklets in accordance with staff perceptions as to whether an EN would have positive comments about TTW. In fact, many of the ENs highlighted in the booklets appear to be experiencing problems with TTW implementation; some say they are losing money on the program. The publications contain no definition of "promising practices" or what constitutes a successful EN. Still, the booklets, which provide a glimpse of the variety of approaches taken by ENs to serve TTW beneficiaries, may be helpful for agencies considering the role of EN.
D. Operating an Efficient Payment System
During spring and summer 2005, SSA implemented several initiatives to expedite the payment process. First, it enabled ENs to use the COPP on the Program Manager's Web site. Second, SSA staff prioritized the EN payment workload into three categories: payments that are payable right away (those that include evidence of work and earnings), payments for which the EN has submitted a COPP request, and payments needing additional documentation. OESP is expediting payments in the first two categories and sending those in the third category to field offices. Third, SSA staff has initiated an EN help desk staffed by experienced SSA staff to assist ENs in solving payment problems.
The number of requests for payment on behalf of beneficiaries who have begun working up to the SGA level continues to rise. The Program Manager now receives 400 to 600 payment requests per month, an increase of about 160 percent over the 2004–2005 period. At present, more than 7,600 payment requests have been processed on behalf of 1,363 beneficiaries, for an average of five or six payment requests per beneficiary. (See Chapter VIII for additional payment information.)
The EN and Program Manager officials we interviewed for the study reported that obtaining complete earnings documentation from beneficiaries continues to be a time-consuming process that often involves numerous faxes and telephone calls over several months. In many cases, an EN cannot obtain the necessary information from either the beneficiary or the employer, and therefore cannot get paid. To help address this situation, SSA lets ENs submit requests for payments under a "Good Faith" process that does not require any evidence that the beneficiary is working. SSA then sends these unverified cases to the SSA field offices and will pay the ENs if the field office can substantiate earnings.
While SSA is clearly trying to help ENs obtain the earnings verifications, turning to the field offices may not speed up the process substantially. The field offices must fit earnings verification into schedules that are already quite full with ongoing application and processing work. In addition, the verifications can be very time consuming because the field office staff must copies of pay stubs or other documentation of earnings from beneficiaries or employers, which is exactly what the ENs tried and failed to do. The field office staff must also use that documentation to calculate exactly when the beneficiary earned enough to go off cash benefits in order to determine the month in which TTW payments can start to be made. The field office staff we interviewed expressed frustration because they had been told that ENs and the Program Manager would do the earnings verification and pointed out that they have not been allocated additional staff to carry out these activities.
OESP officials assert that, with proper evidence provided, it takes less than 30 days for ENs to receive a milestone payment and only slightly longer to receive an outcome payment, but, as noted earlier, the evidence is frequently not available. ENs assert that anywhere from 3 to 6 months must elapse before they receive payment. As explained in Chapter VIII, the median lag time was 6 months (Exhibit VIII.10). First payments took longer to process, having a median lag time of almost 9 months; only 69 percent of first payments had been made within 12 months. OESP officials noted that these figures include time to process the "Good Faith" cases, which take much longer to process.
To speed the payment process and enable ENs to receive payments without submitting beneficiary pay stubs, the Program Manager implemented COPP in late 2003. ENs can use the process if the beneficiary is no longer on the rolls and SSA has previously made outcome-only payments for the beneficiary. Only a few ENs have used the process because most ENs' beneficiaries do not meet the above requirements. Through July 2005, 457 payments were made under COPP, or 8.3 percent of all claims other than first claims paid during that period. However, three EN officials we spoke with who had tried to use COPP said that wage verification by ENs was still required. Other SSA initiatives to speed payment processing time were implemented in spring 2005; thus, our analysis does not address their impact, if any. (Chapter VIII provides a fuller discussion of processing time for EN payments.)
E. Systems Enhancements
The seeds of a cultural shift appear to be taking root at all levels of SSA. Although the agency's primary mission is to distribute disability and retirement checks to eligible individuals, SSA appears to be integrating return-to-work issues into operations throughout the organization. While OESP has taken the lead in TTW implementation, the Office of Systems and Office of Operations has provided substantial support. SSA has designated a full-time Ticket coordinator in each region to manage all TTW activities and serve as a liaison between OESP and field offices. Thirty-two AWICs, generally located in field offices, train the office staff, provide technical assistance in answering work-incentive questions, and conduct community outreach on Ticket and other return-to-work issues. Most field offices have a WIL, who serves as the expert at the local level. Numerous enhancements to SSA data collection systems have helped field offices to both process work reports and track beneficiary earnings. Although attention to employment issues varies somewhat from one field office to another, it is clear that SSA is placing a stronger emphasis on return-to-work.
1. Training and Technical Assistance to Regional and Field Office Staff
The general trend since completion of the phase-in period has been minimal involvement on the part of field offices with the Ticket specifically and greater involvement with work incentives in general, with TTW one component of the work incentives. During Ticket rollout, SSA devoted significant effort to training regional office and field office staff, primarily using the "train the trainer" approach used before TTW rollout in Phase 1 states. AWICs and WILs continue to use the interactive video training tapes and provide new and refresher training to field staff on management information systems such as eWork and IDMS (described below) and on processing work reports. The training varies, depending on staff positions; telephone service representatives receive enough training to handle basic questions from beneficiaries, while claims representatives receive more in-depth training.
OESP has provided refresher training for Ticket coordinators and AWICS on systems issues, particularly with respect to using eWork, processing earnings reports, and handling requests for expedited reinstatement. For any changes in procedure and protocols, the Ticket coordinator reads the daily "policy net," a daily e-mail that covers agency regulatory and policy changes, and then passes it on to the AWIC, who shares it with field office staff.
SSA staff training in Phase 3 states was somewhat scaled back from that provided in Phase 1 states due to limited budgets and the limited number of beneficiaries using their Tickets. Field office managers in three Phase 1 and 2 states told us that training was provided several years ago. Given the infrequent interaction with ticket holders and the high turnover of field office staff, the managers said that refresher training on more technical aspects of TTW and other work incentives is needed.
2. Systems Automation
SSA had to develop several enhancements to its systems to accommodate TTW. Congress did not make a special appropriation to SSA for TTW implementation. Instead, SSA had to fund TTW implementation activities out of its administrative budget, which was already under considerable pressure as the agency dealt with rising numbers of disability claims and the government-wide cap on administrative expenses. Therefore, system enhancements have occurred and will continue to occur in stages.
Since enactment of the TTW legislation, SSA has made significant progress in improving its automated systems, particularly in the areas of tracking and verifying earnings, administering continuing disability reviews, and determining when benefits become zero for EN payment purposes. Before these automation improvements, most of these functions were performed manually or required entry of the same information into several data systems.
During the past year, SSA has continued to improve its automated systems, particularly for tracking and verifying earnings and processing payments to ENs. The web-based initiative known as eWork was fully rolled out to all field offices in November 2004. It automates the documentation of all DI earnings information and enables field office staff to enter earnings information only once. eWork then populates all other relevant administrative data system fields and processes work reports, initiates CDRs, and tracks the number of months remaining in the trial work period. It also permits SSA field office staff and telephone service representatives to generate a receipt when a beneficiary receives SSI, DI, or concurrent benefits reports earnings. When SSI recipients report monthly income, eWork records that information, prints receipts for the recipients, and posts a message to the field office that action, such as a reduction in the monthly payment amount, is needed; all these operations were previously handled manually.
Field office managers, AWICs, and WILs reported that staff had mixed feelings about eWork. Staff who used it frequently, including AWICs and WILs, viewed the system favorably, and one staff member even described it as "awesome." Staff members note that it reduces duplication of data entry, increases accountability by providing receipts of employment reports to the beneficiary, and allows rapid access to case information, such as number of trial work months used. Field office managers said that less frequent users found eWork difficult, particularly because they did not use it often enough to become proficient in its application. Some managers have solved the proficiency problem by assigning all return-to-work cases to the WIL so that other staff do not need to learn the system; others distribute return-to-work cases among all claims representatives in a field office so that all staff learn the system. All field office staff we interviewed for the report wished that eWork could be used to automate SSI as well as DI earnings information, but headquarters staff said that such change would be difficult.
eWork will be integrated into the computer center at SSA headquarters during the next year. While the integration will have little effect at the field office level, it will enable SSA to back up data, provide 24-hour technical support, allow disaster recovery, and increase security.
SSA has also made significant progress in remedying "bugs" in IDMS, which is the data system that includes management of disability benefit post-entitlement activity. Until August 2005, IDMS was incorrectly terminating the Tickets of beneficiaries who had achieved SGA-level earnings and were no longer eligible for cash benefits. Program Manager staff were not able to process EN payments because the Ticket had been terminated, requiring SSA headquarters staff to process the payments manually. Addressing incorrect terminations and the introduction of other programming improvements have reduced the number of manual payments SSA must make from about 70 per month as of August 2004 to about 4 per month in late 2005. Another bug that has been remedied in the past two years was t he inability of IDMS to associate a Ticket mail date with a beneficiary's Social Security Number if a beneficiary received a second Ticket.
At the end of June 2005, SSA began working with Lockheed Martin to develop the requirements analysis for the Comprehensive Work Opportunities Support System (CWOSS). The system will replace the system owned by the Program Manager and used to track EN applications, Ticket assignments, and EN payments. CWOSS will be government- owned and comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which mandates accessibility of computer software for people with disabilities. CWOSS will interact with SSA's other Ticket and disability-related systems to improve Ticket assignment, initiate SSA work report verification, store EN data, and generate lists of appropriate ENs for beneficiaries and lists of beneficiaries for appropriate ENs. SSA staff expect the system to increase the overall efficiency of Ticket program administration.
3. Rules and Regulations
SSA continues to develop and issue regulations as mandated by the Ticket Act. On September 30, 2005, SSA proposed regulations (discussed in Chapter IX) that would modify several matters in the TTW final rules, including SVRA participation and EN payment provisions. SSA officials have reviewed comments on the regulations and hope that the regulations will be adopted in 2007. Meanwhile, SSA continues to draft other regulations to implement TTW, some of which have become final during this reporting period. The proposed and final regulations are described below.
Timely Progress. Two years after a Ticket is issued, the Ticket act requires a series of reviews to determine whether TTW participants are making "timely progress" toward self-supporting employment. So long as beneficiaries are determined to make timely progress, their assigned Tickets are considered to be in use. SSA asked for comments on how to implement the timely progress provisions in the September 30, 2005, proposed regulations. Due to the complexity of administering the timely progress reviews, SSA suspended the timely progress review requirements until the proposed regulations become effective.
Under the previous regulations, the timely progress reviews, which were to begin in March 2004, determined whether the beneficiary was "actively participating" in his or her IWP and making progress toward employment. During the 24-month review, the beneficiary must have been actively trying to achieve the goals set forth in the IWP. At the 36-month review, the beneficiary must have earned the SGA level for at least 3 months during the past year; at the 48-month review, the beneficiary must have worked for at least 6 months during the past year. If the beneficiary did not pass the review, the beneficiary was determined to be no longer using the Ticket and subject to CDR and potential loss of benefits.
Because of the complexity of implementing the timely progress requirements, the reviews did not start until November 2004. During 2005, the Program Manager sent a notice to each EN (including SVRAs) that had held a beneficiary's Ticket for 24 months (and every 12 months thereafter) and asked whether the beneficiary was participating in his or her IWP, whether and how much the beneficiary had worked during the past 12 months, and whether the EN could foresee the beneficiary fulfilling the IWP requirements. If the EN did not respond, the Program Manager assumed that the answers to the above questions were "yes" and took no further action. If the responses were "no," the Program Manager sent a letter to the beneficiary explaining that he or she had not met the timely progress requirements and encouraged the beneficiary to more actively participate in TTW. When TTW participants were asked in the NBS if they were aware that, to remain in the program, they must participate in the activities described in their IWP during the first few years and work for three to six months each year during the later years of their participation, 32 percent of respondents were aware of the requirements (Exhibit IV.5).
The process of, first, determining which ENs should receive the timely progress notices and, second, generating the appropriate letter to each beneficiary proved extremely cumbersome for the Program Manager. SVRA and EN officials also reported that responding to the timely progress notices presented a significant administrative burden. Given that an SVRA may have had hundreds of Ticket assignments, the process of determining the employment status of each beneficiary was arduous and time-consuming. ENs we interviewed that had Tickets for 24 months or longer said that tracking down a beneficiary to determine his or her status added to the burdensome and bureaucratic program requirements--with little positive results. Because a non-response to the notice gave a "pass" to the beneficiary, some interviewed SVRAs and ENs with a large number of Tickets have opted not to respond. These factors undoubtedly contributed to SSA's decision to suspend the timely progress reviews.
Continuation of Benefits Final Rules. The final rules on continuation of benefits (also known as the 301 regulation) were published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2005, and became effective on July 25, 2005 (70 FR 36494). The rules provide that if a medical CDR is conducted with a beneficiary who is participating in an approved plan of rehabilitation, including the IWP under TTW, benefits will continue until the beneficiary completes the program. The regulations make it clear that TTW program participants will be exempt from benefit termination based on medical improvement of a disability.
Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) Final Rules. This provision, sometimes referred to as "easy back on," implements Section 112 of the TTW legislation and allows beneficiaries who have left the rolls for work to have their benefits reinstated without filing a new application if they lose their job because of their disability. The purpose of the provision was to assure beneficiaries that their benefits could be immediately restored if their attempt to work failed, thus removing concerns about benefit reinstatement as a work disincentive.
Implementing the EXR has been problematic, and there seems to be little advantage to relying on EXR versus filing a new application for benefits. Field office staff estimate about a three-month delay between the time of the EXR application and the time at which payments begin. Forms for the EXR cannot be completed on the web, although the current EXR paper process has proven cumbersome, according to field office staff. The staff ask first ask for the paper files to be sent from the SSA Claims Processing Center and then send them on to the Disability Determination Service. In some cases, the beneficiary may receive a higher level of benefits by submitting a new application because of his or her recent work efforts. Making the benefit determination is extremely complex, according to field office staff. During the coming year, SSA will automate the EXR process and presumably see some decrease in delays. One advantage of EXR is that field office staff can request immediate monthly payments for emergencies and ensure that funds are available in a few days, but the request is still performed manually.
Referral of Eligible Beneficiaries to Agencies Other Than SVRAs. SSA is drafting a final rule to refer eligible beneficiaries to agencies other than SVRAs for rehabilitation services. Under previous regulations, SSA had to refer all beneficiaries to an SVRA for rehabilitation services. The TTW legislation repealed the referral-to-SVRA requirement and substituted referral to an EN "or another program of vocational services, employment services, or other support services" under TTW (Sec. 1615). SSA has drafted a Notice of Proposed Rule Making on Continuing Disability Reviews, which is due to be published in the Federal Register.
4. Summary
The current complexity of TTW and the sluggishness of the provider and beneficiary response create little incentive for active participation in TTW. Providers and beneficiaries alike still lack basic information about how the program operates, and despite several initiatives by SSA and the Program Manager, the payment process remains complex, slow, and uncertain, with little financial incentive to providers. Such obstacles are not unusual for a relatively new program. The regulations SSA recently promulgated alter the way SVRAs participate in the program and substantially change the EN payment schedule to address the most important program issue reported by EN officials—an inadequate payment structure. To reinvigorate the program, both the supply of providers and demand for services will need to be addressed.
1 We interviewed staff from regions encompassing Phase 1 states for a previous evaluation report; (Thornton et al. 2003). (back)
2 By July 2006, more than 11.8 million Tickets had been mailed. (back)
3 Previously called the Disability Control File. (back)
4 A new recruitment and outreach plan will be developed under the newly awarded contract to CESSI, and it will supersede the Fleishman-Hillard marketing plan. (back)
5 The AWIC position was created in 2003; outreach before that date was handled by the employment services representative (ESR) or other staff. The ESR position was abolished when the AWIC position was created. See Thornton (2003) for a fuller discussion of this issue. (back)
6 Fieldstone Alliance is a nonprofit organization that offers consulting, publishing, training, network development, demonstration projects, and capacity building to strengthen nonprofits and their communities, intermediaries, and funders. (back)


text:
ARTOIS, Calif. >> A "trained weather spotter" spotted a funnel cloud in the vicinity of Artois Wednesday afternoon, and the storm cell that spawned it moved into Butte County a short time afterward, according to the National Weather Service.
At 4:50 p.m., the California Highway Patrol reported hail in the area of Interstate 5 between Glenn County roads 27 and 33. Motorists were pulling over to the side of the road to wait for the weather to subside.
KRCR Channel 7 reported about 5:45 p.m. that the funnel cloud touched down east of Interstate 5 and north of Willows.
A tornado warning remains in effect for parts of Butte and Glenn counties through 6:45 p.m.
It was the second day of wild weather locally. A funnel cloud, spotted by the National Weather Service's doppler radar Tuesday evening, was seen and photograph by at least one Chico man.
Steve Horne had just turned north on Highway 99 from Highway 149, when he saw the distinctive funnel in the sky well east of the highway.
In an interview with the newspaper, he said, "I've got to get a picture."
He pulled off the highway at Durham-Pentz Road parked on the northbound onramp.
Horne said he watched the swirling cloud for 10 to 12 minutes. He "I have no idea if it ever touched down," said Horne.
Brook Bingaman, part of a two-person team from the National Weather Service office in Sacramento who were in Chico Wednesday, told the paper there were no reports of damage related to the storm.
If you can't see the video, go to http://www.tout.com/m/clsw1r


text:
- Luxe fashion tee with scoop neck, curved hem, cap sleeves, and larger double-layer print, beautifully packaged for gifting
- Regular fit
- Model shown is 5'8.5" / 174 cm tall and wearing size Small
- Midweight 4.4 oz. / 150 gsm fabric. Solid color t-shirts are 100% cotton. Heathered and marled fabrics are 85% cotton/15% polyester.
- Taped shoulder seams, double-needle hems, and self-fabric neck bind for maximum durability
- Printed on ethically sourced, high quality AS Colour tees
- Preshrunk and includes a wash bag to keep your t-shirt looking great
Bluecompass Blue Premium Scoop T-Shirt
Designed and sold by Bluecompass
Express by April 1
Standard between April 1
Not soon enough? Gift Card


text:
In business, there is no shortage of lies. People tell them at all levels — sometimes to seek a payoff and other times to avoid responsibility, some lying with guilt and others lying with a habitual delight [PDF].
But the complexity of business makes lies hard to detect. In business settings, liars manipulate people and evade giving answers, so they easily fall under the radar. One way to deflect liars is to look for and understand their behavioral clues, or use what's called the entrapment defense, which is when the liar confirms a statement that the speaker merely assumes to be true.
When evaluating a potential liar, consider these three behavioral signals — that is, both what they say and how they say it:
Does the person seem uncomfortable about what she is saying? The visible anxiety may be caused by guilt or fear of getting caught, which leads liars to hurry to end the discussion and even look relieved when it's over. Their feet might be pointing in the direction of their getaway — perhaps a doorway, or a hallway. They may also "freeze" the top half of the body, because of the tension they feel, or even put a barrier — such as a briefcase or purse — between themselves and you.
Liars also tend to avoid eye contact. Practiced liars sometimes become good at maintaining eye contact, but often their anxiety emerges in the form of leg movement. Be wary also of people who make excessive eye contact — they might be trying to prove that they're telling the truth.
Another visible sign of a liar's discomfort is the fake smile. The best way to tell if a smile is fake is to look for a lack of movement of the muscles surrounding the outer corners of the eye (the "crows' feet").
Someone who withholds information or keeps the conversation vague when you ask for specifics might be lying, particularly if that person finds it hard to remember something that should easily be remembered.
Watch out for choice of language that distances the speaker from a difficult situation. For example, during his impeachment trial in 1998, former US President Bill Clinton evaded questioning concerning his inappropriate relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky by speculating on the meaning of the word "is."
Is the person using data that's suspect? When you ask her a question, the liar may answer with much more detail than is needed. She may also use overly explicit language for emphasis: Adding lots of detail is a common trick of con artists, for example
And if the speaker is committing to something, does the promise sound extravagant? Does it run counter to what the person usually says? Ask yourself if you (or the speaker's audience) have ever been duped before because of wishful thinking, because the liar may be counting on that.
Aside from those three behavioral clues, you should also consider if the speaker is more likely to lie. You'll find plenty of new research on this subject, much of which has been conducted by Pamela Meyer. For example, she explains that a person who is under pressure (behind on a project, needing to earn a performance reward, struggling to meet quarterly expectations) is more apt to stretch the truth than someone who is not.
Also keep in mind that certain people might be better liars, or more inclined to lie. A person who has power over others often feels more comfortable lying, but a CEO presenting to angry stockholders won't easily lie well because he doesn't feel powerful. Other frequent liars include extroverted people and those who excel at "reading" others. And in general, people feel more comfortable telling lies when they perceive their audience to be deceptive themselves.
As they gain success in evading and manipulating the truth, liars find it increasingly easy to lie. Use your common sense and ask yourself if the person has been truthful in the past — and be particularly suspicious of those who haven't.
Bill Rosenthal is chief executive of Communispond, a firm that helps managers speak and write more effectively. Carolyn M. Anderson, Ph.D. is a professor of communication in the School of Communication of Akron University and heads CMA Communication Consultants, LLC.


text:
By now, I'm sure you've heard of 'selfies.'
Selfies are simply pictures you take (and post) of yourself.
What started off as a way of capturing yourself in the moment, in the absence of someone else to take the picture for you, has transformed into a global phenomenon.
It's so serious that selfies now have their own Olympic Games (of sorts).
The Selfie Olympics started this week and they are over the top.
Peep #SelfieOlympics on Twitter if you want to keep up with them.
Folks everywhere are taking selfies.
But there are folks out there, who have mastered – MASTERED – taking selfies.
Veritable Selfie Masters.
What makes them masters?
One glance at their Facebook, Twitter or Instagram feeds, and you'll know that they take taking pictures of themselves seriously.
You know when you've encountered a Master.
Their pictures contain the tells.
Look for the eyes.
Sometimes wide-eyed. Sometimes, narrow slits. Sometimes opened just so.
But always with a 'come hither' expression, regardless of width.
Check the mouth.
Sometimes smiling. Sometimes serious. Sometimes with puckered lips.
But, somehow, always inviting.
Peep the pose.
Sometimes with their head thrown back. Sometimes bent slightly forward (with generous cleavage). Sometimes in repose.
But always beckoning you closer.
It takes work to master the selfie.
It doesn't just happen by accident.
You've got to be committed.
Learning to hold your camera or camera phone just so takes practice.
Getting that smile that looks genuine, and not rehearsed, requires dedication.
Keeping your outstretched arm from being in the shot, and appearing to have had the picture taken by someone else, is high art.
Selfies are an art form.
There, I've said it.
Selfies are an art form.
Think about it.
Do you look good in every photo you take of yourself?
Be honest.
No. You don't.
Know why?
You're not a master.
Admit it.
You aren't committed.
I don't know about you, but I couldn't take a good selfie to save my life.
No matter what I try, my forehead is always too big, or shiny or enveloped in shadow.
Even with my best efforts, my hairline is too scruffy, unkempt or appears too far back on my head.
If I'm conscientious or not, my clothes look disheveled, ill-fitting or dirty.
Generally, when it comes to selfies, I end up looking a hot mess.
It's not like I don't try to take a good picture.
Shit, if I'm really honest, I take dozens – dozens of shots, trying to get just the right angle or perspective.
I rarely succeed.
I end up looking like a cow in a fisheye lense.
But that's just me.
Alas, I am not a Selfie Master.
Perhaps one day, I will have mastered the art of the selfie, and will join their storied ranks.
For now, I'll just suffer through self-photographing mediocrity.
What about you?
Are you a Selfie Master?


text:
TV Hall of Fame to add Louis-Dreyfus, Leno
Staff Writer
Athens Banner-Herald
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Television Academy is adding six new members to its Hall of Fame, including former "Seinfeld" star Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jay Leno.
The academy's Hall of Fame selection committee announced the list of inductees for 2014 on Monday.
Louis-Dreyfus is a four-time Emmy Award winner and Leno is known as the host of the "Tonight Show." They'll be joined by media magnate Rupert Murdoch, writer-producer David E. Kelley and network executive Brandon Stoddard.
Sound pioneer Ray Dolby will be inducted posthumously.
The new Hall of Fame members will be honored at a Beverly Hills ceremony in March.
Past honorees include Lucille Ball, Walt Disney, Bob Hope and Bill Cosby.


text:
David Leigh of the Guardian has been added to the list of UK journalists who've engaged in phone hacking and other illegal/unethical conduct. Some of the more questionable conduct by UK journalists has involved their acquisition of information from police that police were not legally entitled to disclose either for payment or as a favour. David Leigh also had a role in the Empire Strikes Back phase of Climategate early last year and, in today's post, I'll discuss the connection.
Leigh's admission of phone hacking is discussed at Bishop Hill here; Guido Fawkes here. Leigh himself admitted here.
There is certainly a voyeuristic thrill in hearing another person's private messages…
Leigh differentiated his illegal phone hacking from that practised by News of the World because his cause was noble:
unlike Goodman, I was not interested in witless tittle-tattle about the royal family. I was looking for evidence of bribery and corruption.
Now the Climategate connection.
In February 2010,
a couple of months shortly [Mar 7, 2012: subsequent FOI information shows that Wallis placed the Girling article in the Times on Feb 6, 2012] after Neil Wallis of Outside Organisation had been retained by the University of East Anglia to help them strike back against critics, Leigh authored a smear Paul Dennis of the University of East Anglia, entitled:
Detectives question climate change scientist over email leaks: University of East Anglia scientist Paul Dennis denies leaking material, but links to climate change sceptics in US drew him to attention of the investigators
Leigh's smear began by reporting that Norfolk police had interviewed Paul Dennis (as, presumably, other faculty of the University of East Anglia.) However, Dennis had "refused to sign a petition in support of Jones when the scandal broke". Furthermore, according to Leigh's apparently disapproving "university sources", Dennis was reported to have sent a letter to UEA head of department Jacquie Burgess "calling for more open release of data" – suspicious activity indeed. Dennis had also refused to observe the fatwa against communication with climate blogs that were critical of CRU and the Team and had even sent an article on isotopes to Jeff Id.
Leigh's article disclosed two pieces of information that were not in the public domain.
First, Leigh "outed" Jeff Id by name, occupation and hometown. To that point, "Jeff Id" had been anonymous. His registration at WordPress was anonymous and his gmail account was anonymous. To Jeff's knowledge, there was no public information that would enable Leigh to identify him. [Update 2.30 pm: A reader points out that Jeff Id had been publicly identified as Jeff Condon in a blog article on Jan 10, 2011. This does not explain all the facts. David Leigh identifies Id as "Patrick Condon, aeronautical engineer" from Illinois and located his telephone number. In addition, there are 34 Jeff Condons on LinkedIn – how did Leigh get to the right one?]
A few days before the article, Leigh had telephoned Jeff. Jeff asked Leigh how he had located him; Leigh refused to say. Jeff expressly asked Leigh not to disclose his personal information, which were then not on the public record. Leigh disregarded the request and then proceeded to "out" him as collateral damage in their smear of Paul Dennis.
A couple of weeks earlier, Jeff had been asked to answer a questionnaire by the UK counter-terrorism officer investigating the release of the emails and tree ring data. The policeman had contacted Jeff at his gmail address as "Jeff Id". In addition to inquiring about his views on climate change, the questionnaire asked his name and address. Jeff answered the questionnaire (as did I and many Climate Audit readers). To Jeff's knowledge and recollection, that was the only disclosure of his identity that could have led to Leigh identifying him. [Update – see above update.]
Leigh's article also quotes from an email from Paul Dennis to me, which Leigh ascribed to "police files".
UK police are subject to the Data Protection Act, which prevents the disclosure of personal data for unauthorized purposes -see the webpage of the Norfolk Constabulary on this topic here, which states:
Disclosure or passing of personal information to other organisations or individuals is strictly controlled….
The Police work in partnership with other agencies to reduce crime and disorder, reduce the fear of crime and protect the vulnerable. In order to work together it is necessary to share information. Often this information is about crime figures or areas where crime or disorder is a particular problem. However, sometimes it is necessary to share personal information to tackle a particular problem involving an identified offender or victim. Sometimes information is shared to assist the partner agency in carrying out their lawful functions, but only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so.
Given the recent publicity about illegal and unethical practices by UK journalists, often involving UK police, both Jeff and I obviously wondered about David Leigh's access to the above information. On July 25, we wrote to Damian Carrington, Environment Editor of the Guardian about the matter. (I had previously corresponded with Carrington in connection with my appearance at the Guardian symposium in July 2010 and was treated very cordially both by Carrington and other Guardian representatives on this well-convened occasion.) The following email was sent prior to the recent publicity of David Leigh's past history of phone hacking (for causes that he believed to be virtuous):
Dear Mr Carrington,
In case you did not already know, in 2009-2010, Neil Wallis, then of Outside Organisation, acted as consultant to the University of East Anglia because "the university's Climatic Research Unit wanted Outside to fire back some shots on the scientists' behalf". As is now widely known, at the time, Wallis was also then acting as a consultant for the Met Police. I am planning to write some articles on this and would appreciate a comment from you on an article published by the Guardian.
On Feb 5, 2010, the Guardian published an article by David Leigh, Charles Arthur and Rob Evans entitled "Detectives question climate change scientist over email leaks: University of East Anglia scientist Paul Dennis denies leaking material, but links to climate change sceptics in US drew him to attention of the investigators" http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/04/climate-change-email-hacking-leaks
In the article, you identify the blogger known as "Jeff Id" as "Patrick Condon, aeronautical engineer from Morris, Illinois". At the time, to the best of my knowledge and to the best of Condon's knowledge, there was then no legitimately available information that would have enabled the authors of the Guardian article to identify "Id" as "Patrick Condon, aeronautical engineer from Morris, Illinois".
The article also includes a quote from an email from Paul Dennis to me, the provenance of which is described in the article as "files obtained by police".
Can you provide me and Mr Condon with an unequivocal statement that the Guardian did not use illegal or unethical means or accept information obtained illegally or unethically concerning Mr Condon's identity or the police files referred to in the article. For greater reassurance, could you please describe the legal means by which you obtained Mr Condon's identity and the excerpt from the police files quoted in the article.
Thank you for your attention.
Yours truly,
Stephen McIntyre,
Climate Audit
The Guardian reported back as follows.
A Guardian spokesperson said:
"I would like to make it absolutely clear that the Guardian did not use illegal or unethical means or accept information obtained obtained illegally or unethically concerning Mr Condon's identity or the police files referred to in our article. To suggest otherwise would be totally untrue. We can also confirm the information did not come from the UEA or from Neil Wallis, either directly or indirectly.
The statement was obviously carefully worded with the sort of plausible deniability that we're familiar with from the climate "community". I replied as follows:
Dear Damian,
I appreciate your prompt response but your answer does not resolve the matter. We had asked you to show the legal means by which you acquired the information and you did not do so. I presume that you are refusing to provide this as opposed to this being an oversight in your response.
We also have a concern over your failure to exclude the police as the source of your information. If you are in a position in which you either can exclude them as a source and are prepared to do so, this would go some way towards re-assuring us. Otherwise, our concern that you obtained the information through use of information obtained illegally or unethically remains unresolved.
We draw your attention to yesterday's article in the Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/21/phone-hacking-operation-motorman-files describing many incidents in which information was passed illegally to the media by the police (some involving payment, but, as I understand it, the passing of information can be illegal even without the payment of money.) We note that the Norfolk Constabulary is subject to the Data Protection Act and that their passing Jeff Id's identity to you, if that is what happened, would not appear to be permitted under the circumstances at hand ( http://www.norfolk.police.uk/aboutus/yourrighttoinformation/dataprotection/frequentlyaskedquestions.aspx ).
In addition, if you did get the information from the police, you will understand our concern over Wallis' potential indirect involvement, given that Wallis was, at the time, not only consulting for the University of East Anglia, but also consulting for the police and, as I understand, was particularly connected to John Yates, who was in charge of UK counter-terrorism operations (counter-terrorism officers were involved in the investigation) and to Andy Hayman, a former Chief Constable of the Norfolk Constabulary and also much in the news recently.
Accordingly, once again, I ask that you detail how you obtained the information through legal means as well as confirm that you did not obtain the information from police services (who, we believe, could not legally pass the information to you given the circumstances.)
Thanks, Steve Mc
The Guardian replied that they were "utterly bemused" by our concern and re-iterated that "nothing illegal or unethical" was done to obtain the information, again refusing to disclose how they got the information:
I have to say we're utterly bemused by your questions over this report. To reiterate our very clear statement, nothing illegal or unethical was done to obtain the information.
Of course we can't give you an account of how we obtained the information – we take protecting our sources very seriously.
If you still believe you have any evidence of wrongdoing, you should give it to the police and the information commissioner.
The Guardian's repeated refusal to exclude counter-terrorism police as the source of Leigh's information leaves obvious question marks. We know that the University of East Anglia retained a former News of the World operative with close connections to the police as an agent to strike back against their critics. It's hardly implausible (though not proven) that police either connected to this operative (or otherwise) might have leaked personal information to the Guardian as part of the UEA's campaign to strike back at critics. The Guardian purports to be "bemused" at the idea and is indifferent to the disclosure of Jeff Id's personal information, presumably on grounds similar to those proffered by David Leigh in relation to his phone hacking (where the Guardian apparently condoned illegal conduct if it believed the cause to be virtuous or if they disapproved of the target.)
However, Jeff obviously has a different view. Jeff is not "bemused" by disclosure of personal information against his express wishes, particularly when, in his view, the disclosure of his personal information lacked any legitimate journalistic purpose and when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that personal information had been leaked to the Guardian by the police, that the police violated UK law in disclosing the personal information to the Guardian and that the Guardian knew that the police had violated UK law in giving the information to Leigh (if indeed the police were the source of the information, as it appears.) Nor has Jeff been shown that the police leak (if that is the source) was not connected to the University's desire to strike back at critics, either via the University's retention of former News of the World operative Wallis or otherwise. Jeff has written once again to the Guardian. However, as the Guardian observes, it is unlikely that the matter can be resolved without an investigation by the Information Commissioner and doubtless that's where this file is going as well.


text:
Jennifer R. Lloyd: First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks At UTSA Today
San Antonio's college-going efforts got a palpable push from first lady Michelle Obama, who spoke Friday at College Signing Day at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Clad in a the t-shirt of her Princeton University alma mater, the first lady told a rowdy crowd of about 2,100 seniors from 37 area high schools at UTSA's convocation center to look ahead to finishing the college journey they're embarking upon. "I also want to talk to you about another big day that is on the horizon for you and that is the day you graduate from college," Obama said. "Reaching a milestone like this means you've just raised the bar for yourself." "Just getting into college isn't the ultimate goal," she continued. "You have got to stay focused once you get there and you've got to get that degree or that certificate."
The visit by Obama took its place among her national efforts to promoting the Reach Higher Initiative, which includes helping students understand their college and career options and their financial aid legibility. The effort feeds into the president's 2020 goal of landing the United States on top of the list of nations with the highest proportion of college graduates. Friday's event came toward the end of the city's fourth annual Destination College week, which culminates Saturday with a summit at San Antonio College for high school students to learn about college and scholarship applications and career pathways.
More here
First Lady Michelle Obama speaks to high school students at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), during College Signing Day, an annual celebration of San Antonio high school seniors committing themselves to higher education, in San Antonio, Texas
Join @FLOTUS in inspiring young people to #ReachHigher and own their future! Post a photo in your school colors: vine.co/v/MrXYxz0pxBa—
Reach Higher (@ReachHigher) May 02, 2014
Follow @ReachHigher for the latest on the First Lady's initiative to encourage young people to complete their education. #ReachHigher #FF—
The First Lady (@FLOTUS) May 02, 2014
San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro and First Lady Michelle Obama greet high school students during College Signing Day
First Lady Michelle Obama leads high school students in a pledge for higher education during College Signing Day
KSAT: Michelle Obama Challenges San Antonio Students
First Lady Michelle Obama on Friday joined a growing annual celebration of San Antonio high school seniors who are committing themselves to higher education. Obama was the star attraction as some 2,100 students from 38 high schools around the area participated in "College Signing Day," part of Mayor Julian Castro's long-term initiative to improve the area's high school graduation rates and increase the number of residents with college degrees. She talked about the importance of pursuing and completing some form of higher education.
"While we adults have to do our part, really at the end of the day, the most important person is you," Obama said. Obama urged students to complete their education beyond high school. "While it's good news that high school graduation levels are high, we know that in today's world, it's simply not enough," she said. The first lady said she knows the challenges facing today's higher education students, recalling her days at Princeton, where she attended college. "I learned that the same things that got me through high school would get me through Princeton and law school," she said. "Those moments when you feel anxious, or insecure, those are the moments when you shape into who you want to be."
More here


text:
Luxurious bites of Ladurée
It is rather unexpected that, at time of recession, a "luxury hall" has been established in Brown Thomas. Nonetheless, secretly, I am delighted because they've brought Ladurée from Paris to Dublin!
The name Ladurée is synonymous with delicious macarons, a type of French pastry made from egg white, ground almond and sugar, of which two macaron biscuits are sandwiched with creamy filings or ganache. The freshest and the best macarons are flavoursome, delicate and literally melt in your mouth.
There are some 20 flavours of macarons available in Brown Thomas when I dropped by a couple of days ago, including vanilla (it's not boring and in fact is a must try), coffee, rose, orange blossom, lemon, red fruits, caramel of salted butter (my favourite!), chocolate, pistachio, raspberry and coconut. Every single one are equally drool-worthy, with a Paris-comparable price tag of €1.40 per piece. I was half-expecting BT to up the price so I was pleasantly surprised by this.
If you could resist buying these macarons for yourself, but have friends who are gourmet lovers, they make excellent gifts too. There are beautiful gift boxes available, to fill 6, 8, 18, 20 or 24 macarons. Gift boxes incur a small additional charge.
Apart from macarons, Ladurée at BT also sells a number of delicatessen items, including tea and preserves. Gift hampers can be assembled too, so really, this is a small piece of gourmet heaven in the city of Dublin. It's bound to test my self-discipline but I must also remind myself, should I purchase them too often, they will cease to be special treats. Now, that is not something I wish for. ;-)


text:
Sanus® Natural Series Black 36" Bookshelf Speaker StandsModel #: NF36B
For screen reader problems with this website, please call712-262-26387 1 2 2 6 2 2 6 3 8Standard carrier rates apply to texts.
A solid hardwood pillar supports a 7.5 by 7.5-inch top plate with adjustable-height brass studs and neoprene pads to provide superior isolation and resonance damping for speakers. Patented wire management channel conceals and protects cables. This product is sold as a pair.
|Package Width:
|22.50" / 57.15cm
|Package Height:
|4.00" / 10.16cm
|Package Depth:
|12.50" / 31.75cm
|Width (in.)
|Height (in.)
|Color Finish Name