CASE STUDY: Special Outreach Works for Special Clients

During the 2006-07 legislative session, Triad represented a statewide, private non-profit organization which specializes in finding employment for people with disabilities. The organization’s main goals were two-fold:
1. Raise its profile in state government - particularly in the General Assembly - about the services it provides, and

2. Secure additional public funding for the organization.

To that end, Triad facilitated 19 legislative visits, including meetings with members of leadership and chairmen of standing committees. Staff from both the House and the Senate also were included. These meetings allowed the organization to educate policy makers about their employment and training services for persons with disabilities.

In addition, Triad facilitated meetings with the Acting Secretary of Labor & Industry Sandi Vito (Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development at the time) and Kevin Casey (Deputy Secretary for the Office of Developmental Programs at the Department of Public Welfare). Deputy Secretary Casey welcomed the group’s input on an employment initiative focusing on jobs for special-needs citizens.

Triad's meeting with Acting Secretary Vito opened the door for the organization to partner with the Department on the Disability Program’s Navigator Initiative, a $1.2 million demonstration grant initiative from the U.S. Department of Labor.

By turning to Triad and heeding our counsel, the client was able to raise the organization's profile on Capitol Hill and within the Administration. The organization now is recognized as a leading resource for workforce
development in the disabilities community.