Calling all Speakers!

Do you or someone you know have a great idea for a breakout session on the NENA Conference? NENA is now accepting RFP Submissions for speakers!

Click below to submit your RFP today!

2025 Conference Request for Proposals

Save the Dates:

September 16th-18th 2025

Flamingo Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas NV

SSA & NENA Board Meeting Summary

As part of the NENA Board Planning and Training meeting in February, we had the opportunity to meet with Robert Pfaff, his team at the Office of Research Demonstration and Employment Supports (ORDES), and employees from the Ticket Program Manager. The NENA Board expressed our appreciation for the ongoing collaboration, particularly during NENA’s Annual National Training Conference, and for efforts to streamline forms and processes.

A key topic of discussion was how the NENA Board and its members can effectively advocate for the Ticket to Work (TTW) program. As highlighted in other NENA announcements and articles, there are numerous ways individuals and organizations can support and promote the value of the TTW program.

We also addressed operational concerns raised by Employment Networks, specifically the functionality of the Employer Prepared Earnings Statement. The group engaged in brainstorming solutions, and ORDES reported that they are actively developing a new form to use when a secondary source of earnings verification is needed.

Additionally, the NENA Board emphasized the importance of improved communication regarding document changes, citing the 1/31/25 update to the Ticket to Work TPA as an example. We also expressed concerns about the impact of SSA’s requirement for in-person appointments at field offices on Ticketholders. In response, we were asked to gather more data to assess this issue. To assist with this effort, we encourage members to use the Field Office Data Form, available at www.nenaticket.org/Advocacy, to document specific examples of barriers faced by Ticketholders. Please do not include any ticket holder PII in your response. The more information collected, the better we can advocate for meaningful improvements.

The NENA Board remains committed to representing and advocating for all NENA members, their Employment Networks, and other Ticket to Work Program stakeholders. We will continue working to ensure that NENA membership provides valuable support and resources to all affiliated organizations.

Advocating for the Future of the Ticket to Work Program: How You Can Make a Difference

By Sherri Stone

With all the proposed changes and “cost-saving” measures, it feels like a hurricane is brewing for the Ticket to Work Program. Advocacy is a powerful tool to influence policy and create meaningful change. While nonprofits and state agencies have some restrictions on direct lobbying, you can still advocate for the Ticket to Work Program. Here’s how:

As an Individual:

• Use your personal contact information – This clarifies that you are reaching out as an individual, not as a representative of your agency.
• Advocate on your own time – This ensures that your actions are separate from your official role.
• Avoid naming your agency – As an individual, you are free to express your views. To keep it clear that you are representing yourself, avoid mentioning your agency’s name. For example, instead of saying, "I am an employee of Ameriforce Personnel," you might say, "I work for an Employment Network within the Ticket to Work Program."

As a Nonprofit Organization:

• Educate Lawmakers – Share data, stories, and insights to help legislators make informed decisions. Briefings, reports, and meetings can be highly effective.
• Mobilize Supporters – Encourage your community to contact representatives, sign petitions, or participate in advocacy campaigns. Grassroots engagement amplifies your voice.
• Work with Your NENA Board – Lawmakers are more likely to respond to a broad, unified voice. Help us gather success stories and provide data on the Ticket’s impact in your community.
• Leverage Media & Social Platforms – Use press releases, op-eds, and social media to raise awareness and bring key policy issues into the public conversation.
• Know the Rules – While 501(c)(3) organizations have limits on lobbying, they can engage in nonpartisan advocacy, such as voter education and policy research. The IRS offers a free training series on nonprofit advocacy at https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/lobbying.

By engaging with federal legislators, the NENA Board, and others, you can help shape the policies that will determine the future of the Ticket to Work Program—while staying within legal guidelines for nonprofits. Start small, stay persistent, and make your voice heard!

Stay Alert: Recognizing and Avoiding Spam Messages

As many leverage digital communication, it's important to stay vigilant against spam and phishing attempts. Fraudulent messages can pose security risks and disrupt our operations.

Spam and phishing attempts can come in many forms, including contact form submissions on websites and fake subscriptions to marketing communications. Take time to regularly monitor website inquiries, verify new subscriptions, and take proactive steps to filter out fraudulent activity.

Here are a few key indicators to help identify spam messages:

✔ Unusual Senders: Be cautious of emails or texts from unfamiliar or suspicious addresses.

✔ Urgent or Threatening Language: Scammers often pressure recipients to act quickly, such as claiming account suspension or legal action.

✔ Misspellings & Poor Grammar: Official messages from reputable organizations are professionally written.

✔ Unexpected Links & Attachments: Hover over links to verify legitimacy before clicking, and avoid downloading unknown attachments.

✔ Requests for Sensitive Information: Legitimate organizations will never ask for personal details, passwords, or payment information via email or text.

If you receive a suspicious message, do not click on any links or respond. Instead, report it to your IT team or follow your organization's security protocols. For website-related spam, consider implementing CAPTCHA on forms and reviewing email list subscriptions for authenticity.

News to Know

February 5, 2025

2025 Payments Resources Now Available

Please note that the 2025 Payments at a Glance, 18-Month Look Back Tool and the Monthly Earnings Estimator are now available for download in the Resource Documents section of the Your Ticket to Work website. If you have questions about your payment method, please contact the EN Service Team at ENService@ssa.gov.

Help Wanted Job Board

Does your member organization have an internal position available within your organization that you would like to post in the NENA E-News?

As a member courtesy, we will post your opening in our next E-News update one time.

Posting requirements:

• The posting must be for a specific, EN-related position within your organization (i.e., career specialist, career services provider)

• Email admin@nenaticket.org to submit your post

• Include the title, location, a brief description (25 words) and contact information on the form.

*Those interested in applying should contact the EN directly. NENA will have no further information about any posted positions.