Pilot Projects
WA State Advanced Telecommunications Features
CVM clients in much of WA state will soon experience the benefits of some the “advanced features” of CVM. With funding from the Verizon-MCI Merger Public Purpose Fund, the CVM National Office and nine local host WA CVM sites are partnering on a project which includes increasing access to information and resources for low-income populations to increase economic self-sufficiency and community engagement. The focus of this project includes group broadcast voice mails and email messages regarding critical information such as jobs, housing, Washington Telephone Assistance Program, Washington 211, community computing resources, and other social services; email notification of voice mail messages; and “live reply” to allow for immediate response to service provider. This project runs through February 2009 and CVM National has plans to replicate in other parts of the country.
Working Assets Pilot Projects Launched
CVM clients in Houston and Minneapolis/St. Paul are finding it easier to check their CVM voice mail and stay in touch, thanks to mobile phones and service donated by Working Assets (www.workingassets.com) as part of a four-month pilot project. With payphones disappearing, surveys indicate that most CVM users currently use the "free" phones available at many social service agencies to check their voice mail, and while this is a great service, it is not always convenient and reduces the frequency with which a CVM user can check for voice mail. The CVM/Working Assets pilot project aims to remove this phone access barrier, and increase the effectiveness of the voice mail service. The pilot project will be completed in December 2007.
2-1-1 Project in Washington State
CVM clients in two CVM cities in Washington State now have a new way to check their voice mail, thanks to a pilot project with the statewide 2-1-1 information and referral system. Clients in Snohomish County and Spokane can now dial 2-1-1 (a toll-free call) from any payphone to seamlessly access their CVM voice mail messages, removing a barrier to access for those people who rely on payphones to check their voice mail. Using the CVM voice mail system, broadcast voice messages are being used to inform all clients in these cities about the service, as well as provide information about 2-1-1 as a valuable resource for people seeking assistance with housing, employment, healthcare and other important things. This project is being funded by the Center to Bridge the Digital Divide at Washington State University, and is being implemented with assistance from Washington State 2-1-1 (www.win211.org) and the local 2-1-1 call centers.