ARC
The Advocacy and Resources Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation that
has a services division, the ARC, and a manufacturing division, ARC-diversified.
ARC-diversified produces a dry baking mix, dry milk, and cooking oil that is
mostly bought by the government to fill military contracts. This is a multi-million
dollar operation. Eighty percent of the facility’s employees have a disability.
The ARC’s goal is to help those in the community that society fails to. The
ARC’s programs range from case management and family services to mentoring
and tutoring a representative payee services to a low-income housing program.......
ARC
1 The Project ....................................................................................................2
1.1 A Little Background ................................................................................2
1.2 Scope of the Project ...............................................................................2
2 The Plan ........................................................................................................2
2.1 The Objectives........................................................................................2
2.2 The Budget .............................................................................................2
2.2.1 The Breakdown ...............................................................................3
2.3 Major Issues and Concerns ....................................................................3
2.4 Segmentation .........................................................................................3
2.4.1 Employers to hire referrals from the ARC........................................3
2.4.2 Local business and organizations to educate about the youth
mentoring program ........................................................................................3
2.4.3 Potential donors to meet the needs of the youth mentoring program
4
2.4.4 Business organizations to encourage employers to hire people with
disabilities ......................................................................................................4
2.4.5 Consumer Behavior Analysis ..........................................................4
2.5 The Competition .....................................................................................4
2.6 The Service Mix and Product-market .....................................................4
2.6.1 The Service Mix – Now....................................................................4
2.6.2 The Service Mix – The Future .........................................................4
2.6.3 What are We Selling?......................................................................5
2.6.4 What’s the Value? ...........................................................................5
2.7 Positioning ..............................................................................................5
2.7.1 Positioning Strategies......................................................................5
2.7.2 The Stakeholders ............................................................................5
2.8 Branding .................................................................................................5
2.9 The Strategy ...........................................................................................5
2.10 The Marketeers’s Top Eleven...............................................................6
3 Appendix A – The Strategy ............................................................................7
4 Appendix B – Community Organizations .......................................................8
4.1 Associations ...........................................................................................8
4.2 Child and Youth Services .......................................................................8
4.3 TTU Campus Organizations ...................................................................9
5 Appendix D – The Deliverables .....................................................................9
5.1 Press Release ........................................................................................9
5.2 Seminars ..............................................................................................10
5.3 Open House .........................................................................................10
5.4 Personal Appointments.........................................................................10
5.5 Articles for Publication ..........................................................................10
5.6 Radio and TV Announcements.............................................................11
5.7 Brochures .............................................................................................11
6 Appendix C – The Audit ...............................................................................11
6.1 ARC Questionnaire 10/24/02...............................................................11
6.2 ARC Interview 11/08/02........................................................................14
6.3 ARC Interview 11/12/02........................................................................18
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ARC
1 The Project
1.1 A Little Background
The Advocacy and Resources Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation that
has a services division, the ARC, and a manufacturing division, ARC-diversified.
ARC-diversified produces a dry baking mix, dry milk, and cooking oil that is
mostly bought by the government to fill military contracts. This is a multi-million
dollar operation. Eighty percent of the facility’s employees have a disability.
The ARC’s goal is to help those in the community that society fails to. The
ARC’s programs range from case management and family services to mentoring
and tutoring a representative payee services to a low-income housing program.
1.2 Scope of the Project
The associates of The Marketeers Consulting Firm have drawn together a plan
that will launch The Advocacy and Resources Corporation (The ARC) far into
the 21st century. We at The Marketeers believe that The ARC does an
incredible job helping people already.
• More people need to know the different types of services that the ARC
provides.
• More people need to participate in its efforts in Putnam County and
beyond.
The below strategy will only solidify The ARC’s position as the Upper
Cumberland’s premiere advocate for those people un-served or under-served.
2 The Plan
2.1 The Objectives
• Increase the number of potential employees placed by The ARC at
places of employment other than The ARC and ARC-diversified.
• Increase the success rate of employees referred by The ARC to other
places of employment.
• Educate employers about the benefits of placing referrals from The ARC.
• Educate employers about the fair treatment of referrals with special
needs.
• Increase public awareness of the ARC’s youth mentoring program.
• Increase donations received by the ARC’s mentoring program.
2.2 The Budget
The ARC has a finite amount of dollars that it puts toward marketing and
promotion because most of the money raised goes to the actual services
provided. The associates think that it is important that this trend continues. The
ARC can focus on quality services and at the same time, makes some minor
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ARC
reallocations of funds to strengthen their marketing effort. The plan will allow
ARC to implement it in stages depending on time, money, and need constraints.
The goal is to keep the cost at a minimum and the effectiveness at a maximum.
2.2.1 The Breakdown
Radio and TV Announcements 5%
Brochure stands 30%
Distribution of brochure stands 10%
Promotion of Seminars and Open Houses 15%
Media Kits 20%
Article and Press Release development 20%
Total 100%
2.3 Major Issues and Concerns
• Government regulations change frequently and disrupt the continuity of
the ARC. The ARC has no control over federal regulations and
guidelines.
• There is a strong sense of public apathy from Upper Cumberland
residents concerning the ARC’s efforts. Little is known about the
corporation and all of the services it provides.
• The ARC has had negative past experience in some circumstances with
referring potential employees to employers. Poor performance and/or
inadequate preparation has resulted in a severed relationship with these
employers.
• People fear what they do not know or understand. People with disabilities
receive many unfair and inaccurate perceptions about their abilities.
• It is of the utmost importance that the person be put before the disability.
2.4 Segmentation
2.4.1 Employers to hire referrals from the ARC
Referrals from the ARC work best in jobs that are repetitive, simple in the number
of tasks, and that have little to no contact with the public. Jobs with these traits
include manufacturers, stockroom and mailroom personal, grocery stores, social
service organizations like the YMCA, and low stress environments like the Fun
Tunnel.
2.4.2 Local business and organizations to educate about the youth
mentoring program
There is a wealth of businesses and organizations in the Upper Cumberland that
care deeply about improving youths’ lives but do not know the extent that youths
are neglect or overlooked in the region. To get this message out, the ARC can
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focus on churches, social service organizations and other not-for-profit
corporations, campus organizations, and local businesses.
2.4.3 Potential donors to meet the needs of the youth mentoring
program
The ARC’s youth mentoring program that is the only service that is not wholly
funded by ARC-diversified. Anytime that the ARC wants to do something with
the youth, they must ask for donations in order to make the event happen. The
ARC also has about one fundraiser a year that allows for a little spending money
for the program. However, time is limited for fundraising and donations make it
easier.
2.4.4 Business organizations to encourage employers to hire people
with disabilities
There is an overall lack of awareness of the amount of discrimination against
people with disabilities. This stems from little education and knowledge on the
subject. The ARC can target business organizations whose members are the
movers and shakers of the community. These include organizations such as
Leadership Putnam and the Upper Cumberland Human Resources Association
(UCHRA).
2.4.5 Consumer Behavior Analysis
Employers do not want to hire people that inconvenience them. People are
weary of new ideas and trying new things.
2.5 The Competition
Just because the ARC is a not-for-profit corporation does not mean that there is
any competition. Our goal is to win priority over other not-for-profit organizations,
other seekers in the job market, other employee representative groups, and other
organizations that depend on donations.
2.6 The Service Mix and Product-market
2.6.1 The Service Mix – Now
Currently, the ARC is a self-sustaining not-for-profit corporation that receives
funding through ARC-diversified and government grants. The ARC offers a wide
range of services to those who are un-served or under-served such as low-
income housing, mentoring programs, and representative payee services.
However, few people know of the ARC’s mission and even fewer agree to help
further their mission.
2.6.2 The Service Mix – The Future
The associates at The Marketeers believe that the ARC can make an even
bigger difference in people’s lives. The end product of this plan will include
an increased number of employees placed successfully by the ARC,
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ARC
more educated employers about the benefits and fair treatment of hiring
referrals with special needs,
and increased donations to the ARC’s youth mentoring program.
2.6.3 What are We Selling?
Competent and qualified employees
Improvement of the region’s youth
Improvement of the quality of life in the region
Improvement of the future
2.6.4 What’s the Value?
Good stuff > Bad stuff
Helping the region’s youth not to be society’s problems in the future
Encourage the youth to contribute to society now and in the future
Overcoming people’s negative perceptions of those with disabilities
Diminishing biases
Expanding people’s personal freedoms
Strengthening the Upper Cumberland by connecting its residents
2.7 Positioning
2.7.1 Positioning Strategies
The ARC can position itself as the corporation that implements what it promotes
to the public. Not only does their strategy work, it works really well. Skeptics’
arguments will hold no weight with this approach. The ARC has the proof that it
can be done. Businesses can run effectively with employees who have
disabilities.
2.7.2 The Stakeholders
• Employees at the ARC and ARC-diversified
• People with disabilities
• The region’s youth
• The region’s businesses
2.8 Branding
The unique and outstanding quality of the ARC is that they practice what they
preach. They talk the talk and walk the walk. The ARC’s mission is to help those
un-served or under-served. ARC-diversified does just that through the multi-
million dollar manufacturing facility that employees those who are un-served or
under-served. They also further this through the services they offer. The ARC
sets a strong example for all of us.
2.9 The Strategy
The strategy is best viewed in chart form. See Appendix A.
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ARC
2.10 The Marketeers’s Top Eleven
1. A Breakfast Club to discuss needed improvement in the community
2. Fundraisers every season
a. Spring – Golf Scramble
b. Summer – Bowling Tournament
c. Fall – A Bake-off using ARC-diversified products
d. Winter – A Clothing drive
3. An e-mail version of the newsletter
4. A message board on the website
5. Contributions to lobbyist who lobby for people with disabilities
6. Hands-on workshops for the community to better understand life with a
disability
7. Job-readiness workshops for people with disabilities and employers
8. Re-engineer current website to enhance navigation, accessibility, and to
update the look.
9. Develop a strong public image with a catch phrase or mascot.
10. In conjunction with fundraising events, hold a baking contest using ARC-
diversified’s products.
11. Recruit an intern (unpaid) to handle philanthropic endeavors.
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3 Appendix A – The Strategy
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4 Appendix B – Community Organizations
4.1 Associations
Alzheimer's
2200 Southerland (865)544-
Association-East TN Knoxville, TN
Avenue Ste H-102 6288
Chapter
American College of
225 North Willow Cookeville, (931)526-
International
Avenue TN 8675
Physicians
118 South Dixie Cookeville, (931)526-
American Red Cross
Avenue TN 4252
Association-Retarded Cookeville, (931)432-
435 Gould Dr
Citizens TN 5981
Brain Injury Assoc Of Cookeville, (931)372-
118 S Dixie Ave # 28
Tn TN 8900
Cookeville Housing 701 Buffalo Valley Cookeville, (931)528-
Authority Road TN 8530
Epperson Swallows (931)537-
229 Warren Avenue Algood, TN
Homes 3222
Cookeville, (931)526-
Masonic Lodge Public Square
TN 2800
Cookeville, (931)526-
United Way 122 South Madison
TN 2723
Upper Cumberland 34 North Jefferson Cookeville, (931)520-
Tourism Association Avenue TN 1088
Volunteer Center of 122 South Madison Cookeville, (931)520-
Putnam County Avenue TN 4898
4.2 Child and Youth Services
A Act Of Love Cookeville, (800)277-
Adoptions TN 5387
(800)242-
Agape Nashville, TN
7310
Big Brothers & Big
104 North Washington Cookeville, (931)520-
Sisters of Putnam
Avenue TN 4876
County
Cookeville, (931)528-
Busy Bee's Day Care 1649 Biltmore Dr
TN 1819
Cumberland Family Cookeville, (931)528-
600 Jeffery Circle
Centers TN 2543
Happy Haven Home, 998 County Farm Cookeville, (931)526-
Inc. Road TN 2052
1175 East Tenth Cookeville, (931)528-
London Bridge
Street TN 6860
Small World Adotion (800)544-
Nashville, TN
Programs 5083
Therapeutic 206 South Jefferson Cookeville, (931)520-
Interventions Avenue TN 8988
Triad Children & Youth Cookeville, (931)528-
122 South Madison
Service TN 8002
Cookeville, (931)528-
Youth Villages 148 Shipley Street
TN 9771
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4.3 TTU Campus Organizations
• AAUP (American Association of University Professors)
• Alpha Delta Pi
• Alpha Gamma Sigma
• Alpha Kappa Psi (Co-ed Professional Business Fraternity)
• American Marketing Association
• American Society of Civil Engineers
• Association for Computing Machinery
• Baptist Student Union
• Beta Theta Pi
• Black Student Organization
• Chi Epsilon
• Delta Gamma
• Honors Program
• Kappa Alpha
• Kappa Delta
• Kappa Sigma
• Mortar Board
• Omega Phi Alpha
• Omicron Delta Kappa
• Phi Delta Theta
• Phi Gamma Delta
• Phi Kappa Phi
• Phi Mu
• Pi Kappa Alpha
• Pi Tau Sigma
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Sigma Chi Fraternity
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers
• Tau Kappa Epsilon
• Tennessee Tech Faculty Women's Club
• WHET (Women in Higher Education in Tennessee)
• Zeta Tau Alpha
5 Appendix D – The Deliverables
5.1 Press Release
“It’s that time of year again for the Granny Bunt Bake-Off. The Advocacy and
Resource Corporation of Cookeville, TN, sponsors this event in the hopes of
raising awareness for those being underserved in our community. The Bake-Off
is being held at the Hyder-Burkes pavilion this Saturday where cookers will start
their ovens at 9:00 am sharp. For further information on the Bake-Off, visit
ARC’s website at www.arcdiversified.com.”
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5.2 Seminars
The Marketeers have developed a PowerPoint presentation to inform members
of the community about hiring people with disabilities and providing for the needs
of the region’s youth. See Media Kit.
5.3 Open House
An open house format can be used in conjunction with seminars or events to
allow interested parties an inside glimpse of the ARC. A radio announcement for
an event such as this appears in section 6.6.
Hosts: Employees of the ARC and ARC-diversified
Guests: Parties wanting in-depth knowledge of the ARC’s mission
Re: To see how the ARC gets things done
Time: 5 to 7 on a Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday
5.4 Personal Appointments
An informal and unstructured schedule works best in this type of environment.
Let the interested party’s questions guide the discussion.
5.5 Articles for Publication
Here are some tips to help in the writing process courtesy of the Main Ingredient
at www.ora.org.
Write to tell your story, not to fill pages.
Create a working title. Your working title helps focus your ideas. Make it brief
(three to six words), use an active verb, and aim to be clever but not obtuse.
Provide the by-line, that is, the author’ or authors’ full name(s), title, and
business.
Write a lead sentence or paragraph that compels your audience to read the
article. Among the devices you can incorporate into a lead are a surprising
statistic, a witty or shocking quotation, a question, a scenario, or an analogy.
Most important, your lead must be relevant to your topic and get to the point
quickly: What is the purpose of your story?
Write freely, and let go of your inhibitions. Don’t attempt perfection in the first
draft of your article. This is the time to get down all your thoughts.
Use subheadings in the story to signal to the reader the direction and focus the
story is taking.
Pay attention to tone. The tone you adopt is crucial to your article’s readability.
You risk insulting readers by preaching or lecturing. Convey your ideas by
showing, not by telling readers what they should do. Avoid excessive jargon, and
define the jargon you must use. Spell out any common or necessary acronyms
on the first usage.
Be comprehensive. Use details that add clarity. Provide statistics, dates, and
quantities that support your points. Note the people involved, the money
required, the time and resources available for a solution, and the tools or
measures used to evaluate success.
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Point out the relevance to others. Make your points using examples from your
experience; then explicitly tell readers how they can apply your experience at
their businesses.
Write as you speak.
Make your conclusion as memorable as your lead.
Write a one-sentence author identification (providing the author’s full name, title,
business, and location) at the end of the story.
Edit your article thoroughly. Delete unnecessary words and phrases. Turn
passive sentences into active ones. Move paragraphs to achieve continuity.
Make sure that every paragraph follows logically from the one before it. Don’t be
satisfied until every sentence says precisely what you want it to say.
Double-check the accuracy of your article.
Test your article by asking a few colleagues to read it. They may point out ways
to clarify your message, add an example, or liven up your lead sentence.
5.6 Radio and TV Announcements
“The Advocacy and Resources Corporation or the ARC as we of the Upper
Cumberland are familiar with are holding their fall open house this week. It’s this
Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at their offices on Gould Drive. For more
information visit their website at www.arcdiversified.com. The ARC encourages
anyone who is interested in improving the community or just helping out to
attend. Granny Bunt will again cater the even with her delicious biscuits…I don’t
know about you but I can’t wait. I love those biscuits.”
5.7 Brochures
See Media Kit.
6 Appendix C – The Audit
6.1 ARC Questionnaire 10/24/02
Submitted to us by mail from Cristy Milner - received October 24, 2002
Please give a brief history of the organization.
Founded in early 1970’s as a support group for people with mental retardation. In 1987,
the ARC opened an office to assist disabled people with employment and other services.
In 1992, the organization changed its name to “The Advocacy and Resources
Corporation”.
Describe your product.
Provide case management, representative-payee, housing, and children’s services to
persons with disabilities. Also, produce Granny Bunt’s Bakery Mix & My Favorite
Flavors brand instant milk and puddings.
Describe your target market?
For services: disabled population; for products: military and general public.
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Do you compete effectively against other similar organizations? And, if so, how?
There are no similar organizations.
Do you feel that you have a totally dependable product supply?
Yes – we make it.
Do you feel that you provide expedient customer service?
Yes – no complaints.
Can you provide your service with low-cost operations?
Yes – see annual report.
Do you feel your product is consistent in quality?
Yes – ISO 900
Do you deliver your product conveniently to the customer?
Yes – no complaints.
Do you target a broad heterogeneous market?
Yes – we are trying to get into more of a commercial market.
Do you provide several standardized product options that sufficiently meet a
variety of customer needs?
Yes – variety of flavors – nonfat option
Do you make frequent, minor product modifications, but keep products in the
acceptable range of cost and quality?
No
Do you plan operations centrally to find the most efficient means for carrying out
all business processes?
Yes
Do you invest to achieve efficiency-driven production systems? Yes – expanding
production facility by 20,000 square feet
Have you developed information systems geared toward capturing and
distributing information on inventories, shipments, customer transactions, and
costs?
Yes – developed database for that.
Do you maintain a system where efficiency improvement is highly rewarded?
Not really – because of range & severity of persons who have a disability. There are
rewards for safety practices.
Do you apply any research geared toward product development?
Yes – our lab is always trying new products and recipes
Do you feel the organization has better-than-average marketing skills?
Yes- billboard, brochures, website, newspaper articles
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Are you able to take advantage of rapid exploitation of market opportunities that
are presented?
Yes
Do you move new ideas rapidly from concept into actual product (or distribution)
modification?
Yes - modification
Are you a leader in product, distribution, or promotion innovation ideas?
Yes- we promote at every opportunity and are expanding ways to distribute.
Do you focus on customer loyalty?
Yes – we have a customer satisfaction survey.
Do you scan the environment in search of new opportunities?
Yes- we look for employers willing to work with the disabled population.
Do you focus on an attitude of “how can we make this work?’
Yes - always
Do you feel that you view success and failure differently from other
organizations?
Definitely! We are truly “one of a kind”.
Do you provide a flexible product for customized solutions?
We produce bakery mix & food products. These are not “customizable”.
Is there a wide presence of collaborative negotiation skills involved in satisfying
customer needs (product, distribution, or promotion)?
Not necessarily. Our contracts originate from the government.
Do you emphasize customized products that meet a variety of unique customer
needs?
Yes – in the Community Services Division
Do you develop and maintain an intimate knowledge of customer requirements?
Yes – both at ARC-Diversified & Community Services.
Do you consistently “reinvent” solutions as customers’ problems and needs
change?
Yes- both sides but especially Community Services
Do you assess relationships of customers on a long-term, or lifetime bases?
Yes – our “disabled” consumers are ours for “life”.
Do you exceed customer expectations consistently?
Yes – we are ISO9002 certified.
Do you ever form strategic alliances with other organizations to address
customers’ needs?
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Yes – In the past we’ve partnered with employers in the community to provide more
opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Do you have advanced levels or problem/opportunity identification and solutions
systems?
Yes – not sure of details for ARC- Diversified. Providing social services revolves around
this concept.
Describe current situations and trends of ARC
We employ a workforce that consists of 75% disabled consumers. We manufacture food
products for the government and the money brought in by these funds the Community
Services division, which provides its services free of charge.
Review ARC’s performance over the last three years
The company continues to grow and expand. Each year we win awards for our work and
achievements.
List key issues of ARC
Safety for employees, quality of product, providing effective solutions and “gap” services
to the disabled population.
What are ARC’s objectives to its benefactors (customers)?
Provide products & services that meet and/or exceed customer expectations.
What benefit would you like to see our group accomplish for your organization?
Possibly a promotional item to promote awareness of services available to disabled
consumers as well as educational information to the general public regarding issues of
employment and/or transportation (or the lack of it) for these people.
6.2 ARC Interview 11/08/02
Are you restricted by lack of funds in any Community Services program area?
Perhaps the Mentoring Program- ARC has a 3yr. contract with CSA. The Community
Services Agency (CSA) gives X amount of dollars and this covers ARC’s expense of
mentors and transportation – there is no extra money. Fundraising events must raise
any money spent for the supported children’s recreational activities. Recently, a golf
tournament raised $3,000. These monies, along with in-kind donations of tickets to
games, etc., allow children to attend and participate in recreational functions. Any extra
money raised is needed for children’s activities first. ARC does not budget for any
marketing expense here, unless much more money could be raised.
What Community Services program area do you wish to utilize most in the near
future?
• The new program, Ticket-to-Work for the Employment Services Program - this
program is a result of new law that allows SSI individuals to keep their SSI
income they draw and health insurance they are presently on (Medicaid) while
still working and earning wages
• Awareness of the opportunities for employers to hire qualified candidates who
are disabled
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• Part-time male mentors for the Family Support Services program
• General awareness for the Family Support Services program to organizations
and individuals who could participate in helping ARC assist qualified individuals
• The disabled need more transportation services to/from work: UCHRA provides
one bus, but this is inadequate. ARC has looked into providing their own bus, but
the costs are too high. Therefore, there is no present solution
• New promotion of community participation to assist children by a “ Smiling Feet”
campaign; this program could perhaps have corporate sponsorship and
community involvement to provide shoes to needy school children – this
promotion idea is in concept stage only (no development)
Do you have specific action goals in each of the Community Services program
areas that you must reach because of contracts won or grants received? Do you
have specific action goals established by your own organization?
Employment Services/Supported Employment: First, the Supported Employment
Program is no longer in existence. The funding for Employment Services program
(which is still in existence) is not by contract or grants – the costs to sustain the program
is budgeted from ARC-diversified (manufacturing plant revenues). For the fiscal year
ended 2001, there were 250 individuals served in the Employment Services program. Of
that number, 57% resulted in positive placement. Tracking the individuals for 90 days
after hire date arrived at this positive placement determination. The present number
served continues in this same range (250). There were no specific action goals
mentioned for the future. A future action goal would be the completion of the plant
expansion now in progress (20,000 square feet added). Increased number served would
be 30 to 40 more part-time employees. There is no intensive coordinated plan for
reaching a broad spectrum of employers about qualified applicants
Family Support Services: The mentoring program is directly funded by a contract with
the Community Services Agency (CSA). The referrals are received by the CSA. ARC
must pay for mentors and transportation, who must see the individuals served at least 6
hours each week. In the past, the individuals served by the mentoring program totaled
70-75 individuals served per month (the maximum ever concurrently served was 90).
Today, the served in the mentoring program total 13. The reason for the large decrease
is due to changes in state budgets. In addition, the service time delivered to individuals
has dropped from the average time of 90 days service downward to 27 – 30 days
service. (Limitations)
All other services, such as the homemaker aid services, the respires services, and
representative to disabled children for school assistance are funded by ARC-Diversified.
The total qualified individuals served for all services of the Family Support Services in
the past year were approximately 500.
Representative Payee: ARC served approximately 275 to 300 individuals last year
Housing: ARC has 6 rental houses for the low income
Concerning Employment Services: How do you presently develop prospective
employers who will hire the disabled?
There is not a current intensive, broad plan. In the past, there was a network with
Goodwill, but this plan has ceased. Another plan may begin soon with Goodwill. ARC
relies on networking. ARC has invited organizations by “open house” invitation and has
initiated contacts by this method. Also, ARC has published success stories of individuals
in local papers with promotion and contact information for prospective employers.
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How do you establish criteria for “persons with disabilities”? What qualifies them
as disabled?
There are differences between the government’s criteria and ARC’s criteria. To be
generally disqualified by the government, a “disabling condition that can be fixed or
controlled” limits acceptance. ARC is much more broad. A diagnosed disability qualifies.
What are the monetary advantages, tax advantages, or qualifying advantages to
employers when hiring the disabled?
There are tax advantages for employers who hire employees that have been referred by
ARC with diagnosed disabilities. See ARC’s website for information.
What methods of effective promotion do you use to establish the credentials of
the disabled to the prospective employee? Are there any disadvantages
addressed, such as increased health insurance or liability insurance to the
employer?
It is important to note: ARC must be careful; they cannot sell the “disability” of
individuals. Individuals must be hired on their qualifications to work
ARC has no intensive, broad promotional plan for promoting these qualified applicants.
The type of employment addresses the disadvantages of hiring. Most all disabled
individuals work part-time, thus eliminating the worry for qualification for health
insurance. Also, large-sized employers are sought to eliminate other obstacles.
Who would be responsible for implementing any marketing plan of action for the
several Community Service program areas (assigning responsibility, setting
deadlines, and confirming the budget)?
Employment Services: Vickie Bush, Training Director and Employment Specialist
Family Support Services: Vikki Thomas, Community Services Manager
Family Support Services: Concerning the mentoring program, do you accept
volunteer mentors?
Yes, volunteers can be recruited. They must pass background checks and go through
training. If accepted, they are paid for their mentoring services. Male mentors are
needed.
Define the product/products in the Employment Services area? (the product is the
“something of value” you offer to others)
• Qualified job candidates with disabilities
• Training and education on issues of disability and employment
• Tracking of placement and follow-up
• Educating employers about incentives with reference to the Ticket-To-Work
program, (a federal program) offering more opportunities for qualified applicants
who are disabled
• Educating employers about incentives with reference the social benefits and tax
credits for hiring qualified applicants who are disabled
• ARC is aware of transportation-related service needs of disabled individuals, but
ARC has not developed this service gap yet
ARC employs three team leaders for product service delivery.
Who are the publics of the Employment Services program area (the publics are
the market – the people with common interest in these products)? And, do you
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receive assistance with any other agencies in identifying and maintaining these
publics?
Qualified job candidates with disabilities
Employers
Manufacturers
Grocery stores
YMCA
Fun Tunnel
Employers who need stock people
Advisory boards to identify prospective employers
Agencies with transportation mechanisms
Organized volunteer services with transportation mechanisms
ARC did work with the Vocational Rehabilitations office for supported employment but
this program has ceased.
ARC did network with Goodwill but doesn’t presently. A networking program is
scheduled to resume again
ARC utilizes the UCHRA bus, but one bus for this area is inadequate.
Define the product/products in the Family Support Services program area?
• Mentoring services for children
• Tutoring services for children
• Related recreational activities for children who receive tutoring and mentoring
• Homemaker aid services
• Assistance in filling out applications (for various opportunities)
• Services for respires care
• Services sustaining the necessities of life; food, clothing, and shelter
• Other various services to make living easier for the disabled and low-income
• Representative advocate for children with disabilities in school systems
ARC employs three team leaders and six support staff
Who are the publics of the Family Support Services? And, do you receive
assistance with any other agencies in identifying and maintaining these publics?
• Qualified children who receive services – see qualifications for the mentoring
program
• Qualified families who receive services
• Related agency services that interact with ARC:
Department of Human Services
Department of Children’s Services
Community Services Agency
Department of Mental Health and Retardation
Plateau Mental Health Center’s “Endeavor” program
Triad Youth Home
• Juvenile Court Judges and their related social service agencies
• Part-time mentors
• Individuals interested in training for the part-time mentoring program
• Organizations interested in fund-raising to support the related recreational
activities of children who are in the mentoring and tutoring programs
• Other organizations that help support ARC with other various services and
campaigns for qualified individuals
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To qualify for the mentoring services, children must have appeared in the court system
(children who have been in trouble) or children who are headed for state custody
6.3 ARC Interview 11/12/02
How do you want your image to change with employers as you try to place
qualified candidates?
An employer of persons with special needs – meaning that they might need an
accommodation. ARC needs education awareness – to emphasize the loyalty of these
employees, employers must work through issues
Are there restrictive barriers (such as certain laws passed) that may limit
marketing criteria when promoting qualified candidates with disabilities?
No
Do many individuals seek your counsel who are overqualified for entry-level
positions? Is this an opportunity that you would like to promote more? OR, is
ARC already seen as a reliable source for higher-level positions to employers
seeking to hire qualified persons with disabilities?
99% are entry level and even lower – others don’t really need ARC.
Are there any other local agencies that promote qualified persons with disabilities
to prospective employers? Do you work together/independent?
• UCHRA Career Center
• Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (did have a grant relationship with them
in the past)
• Pacesetters (a client must be born with mental retardation)
List potential partners and how you might team up with them to promote job
placement?
Sometimes, applicants have been sent to Wise Staffing – a temporary placement service
Can you effectively meet demand of qualified job seekers at the present?
There is much more demand than ARC can fill. There is a waiting list with ARC
employment. In a given month, 8 to 15 may seek employment and usually 0 are placed.
ARC, on average, places 2 per month to work at ARC-Diversified.
Have you considered an Employer Advisory Board and Employment Committee?
Do you have an effective employer database?
There is no employer database. An advisory board was tried in the past in collaboration
with Goodwill. This was very discouraging because of lack of interest.
What promotional techniques have you used for promoting the Employment
Services to prospective employers? And, were these effective or not effective?
In-person sales Somewhat effective – HR often “too busy”
Telemarketing Hard to get people on phone or to return messages
Group presentations Helpful for short periods of time
Brochure Helpful – but people don’t always read them
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Networking Helpful – somewhat effective
Recognition Events Promotes awareness – not necessarily employment
Annual reports Very helpful – most effective
Billboards No referrals or calls yet (had BB’s for 2 years)
Feature stories Get lots of referrals/clients – no employers
Publishing articles/reports Never had a response from employers
Trade fairs Somewhat effective
Business after hours Use booths – promotes awareness
Open House Best response to employers – once per year
What promotional techniques have you used for promoting the Family Support
Services to volunteers who can offer support? And, were these effective or not
effective?
Mainly through word of mouth. The Community Services manager calls Tech and the
Retired Citizens Center for volunteers. Others also volunteer.
How would you want to change your image as you seek donors for fundraisers for
the Family Support Services?
Not sure. Now ARC uses publicity through newspapers to promote. Radio Channel 7 is
used. Billboards are used. The web page is used. The annual golf tournament is the
focus event to raise money.
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