Kessler Foundation awarded one of its five annual Signature Employment Grants to NTI in December, 2011, endorsing NTI's goal to increase its effectiveness in developing work-at-home jobs for individuals with disabilities. NTI has carved out a niche as the sole nationwide sourcer of such home-based jobs. It will invest $125,000 annually for two years to investigate and implement the infrastructure necessary to multiply the efforts of its staff.
Boston, MA (PRWEB) February 13, 2012
Elaine Katz, Kessler Foundation's Vice President of Grant Programs and Special Initiatives, explained, "NTI offers a creative approach that addresses the objectives of our grants—enabling people with disabilities to overcome obstacles to employment while meeting the workforce needs of American business. NTI's proposal outlined a cost-effective strategy that will result in more job opportunities per budget dollar, with a nationwide scope." NTI is unique in its ability and objective of finding jobs for individuals with disabilities regardless of where they live in the U.S.
NTI appreciates the opportunity the grant offers to look beyond immediate needs and develop more effective and efficient systems to locate, approach, train, and place people with disabilities that prevent them from working outside the home in legitimate jobs. Alan Hubbard, NTI's COO, conveyed some of the excitement NTI's staff feels about the pilot program. "We're good at stretching a dollar. But now we have a little extra breathing room, a window to explore how we might put three people in jobs for every individual we could place before under previous time, software, and personnel constraints. We put people in jobs. We just want to put many more in with the same effort."
NTI has already outlined some of the technology, infrastructure, and methodologies it wants to explore with the grant. Its operations team, some of whom bring workflow and production planning experience from Silicon Valley semiconductor firms, has highlighted all the areas on its internal processes "special sauce" flowchart where they have a chance to "turn up the volume." Hubbard explains, "We were sure we had the method. Now, thanks to Kessler Foundation, we have the means."
About NTI:
NTI, a 501(c)(3) non-profit disability organization, pioneered staffing virtual call centers with Americans with disabilities who work from home. It provides highly qualified "NTI CertifiedTM" American-speaking agents to both commercial and government organizations, such as the IRS. For more information, visit http://www.NTIcentral.Org.
About Kessler Foundation:
Kessler Foundation is the largest public charity in the field of disability. Kessler Foundation Research Center advances care through rehabilitation research in six specialized laboratories under the leadership of noted research directors. Research focuses on improving function and quality of life for persons with injuries of the spinal cord and brain, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and other chronic neurological conditions. Kessler Foundation Program Center fosters new approaches to the persistently high rates of unemployment among people disabled by injury or disease. Targeted grant making funds promising programs across the nation. Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, people recovering from catastrophic injuries and stroke, and young adults striving for independence are among the thousands of people finding jobs and training for careers as a result of the commitment of Kessler Foundation.
Contacts:
NTI, Inc.
Alan Hubbard, COO
Tel: 800-619-0111 X-307
Kessler Foundation
Carolann Murphy, PA
Tel: 973-324-8382
cmurphy(at)kesslerfoundation(dot)org
###
Alan W. Hubbard, COO
National Telecommuting Institute
(617) 787-4426 x307
Email Information
There are no comments yet