RFP: Improving Access to Work Supports through Online Screening

[Roger Senserrich - CAHS]

CAHS is starting a new and very exciting program in the coming months: EarnBenefits.EarnBenefits is an online screening took created by Seedco that allows us to screen a client for 8 to 10 benefits at once. Basically we are able to sit down, ask a few questions, and get a list of all the benefits they can apply. The software then automatically fills and application with the client information, a list of all the paperwork they need to include and the benefits they will get, and prints them. You will only need to make the copies of the documents needed and have it send to DSS.We want to have a good team of service providers using this tool, so we are looking for partners. We are offering funding, training and support to put everything in place and running; the idea is that case workers will be able to use EarnBenefits to screen clients quick and efficiently, getting all the paperwork ready in a few minutes, and make life easier to our clients.Check the full RFP and information bellow:EarnBenefits Partner RFP-Final.docImproving Access to Work Supports through Online ScreeningEarnBenefits InitiativeRequest for Partnership ProposalThe Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS), a statewide advocacy, outreach, and public education nonprofit organization, seeks proposals for partnership from direct service providers for an initiative to improve access to work supports for low-wage residents. Improving access to work supports is a powerful strategy for promoting job stability and economic advancement among low-wage workers. CAHS will contract with Seedco to adapt its widely-used electronic benefits tool, EarnBenefits, and work in five or six Connecticut cities with community partners to enroll 1,500-plus residents in work support programs annually. Those community partners who are approved will be granted free access to the EarnBenefits screening tool, and will receive training from CAHS staff on how to improve benefits screening through the newly developed electronic system.This project has been made possible through a partnership with the following funders: Fairfield County Community Foundation, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, and The William Casper Graustein Memorial Fund.Selected applicant organizations may be eligible to receive grants of up to $5,000 in program support. Please be prepared to submit an itemized budget with your proposal.EarnBenefits is a web-based product developed by Seedco, Inc., a nonprofit workforce intermediary based in New York City. EarnBenefits is used to guide clients through the online application process and allow them to apply for multiple benefits at the same time. Working with a trained counselor at your local partnership organization, the prospective applicant can use EarnBenefits to learn about a number of work supports they may be unaware of, receive an estimated dollar value of those supports they qualify for, and even re-certify for those supports they already receive. EarnBenefits will automatically fill out multiple applications, which your counselors/staff then print for the applicant to take and apply at relevant agencies. EarnBenefits will then track the application.For full details, download the RFP:EarnBenefits Partner RFP-Final.doc