Outreach in Nebraska is a top priority.

By ENABLE (Nebraska ABLE Program)

You could have the best plan in the United States, but if no one knows about it, you can’t grow. Outreach with ABLE plans has some unique challenges. Finding your target audience means having a varied approach. Also, since ABLE is still a relatively new concept, building trust with your target audience is of utmost importance! Some benefits can take months and even years for people to acquire. People can be understandably cautious about anything they think could cause them to lose those benefits.

Here in Nebraska, we have implemented a few different strategies to help with these challenges. In addition to giving presentations to parents, account owners, and guardians, we also present to caseworkers, service providers, care givers, special education teachers/ groups, and any other group who work with parents and account owners. Educating those who already have a trusted relationship with individuals and empowering them to suggest these plans to people who they work with daily has a far greater reach than I could ever have on my own. Additionally, we work through groups that already have earned the trust of potential account owners to host Enable presentations.

Nebraska has a lot of ground to cover, and lots of rural areas. It can be difficult to touch everyone. I do a lot of webinars to help combat this. Last summer I did a “tour” of Western NE. Giving several presentations over a few days really helped to get the most bang for our buck! And I do find that people in those rural areas really appreciate the effort to come in person and to be able to talk to them face to face. Letting them know they are important enough to get an in-person visit is crucial!

We have a varied approach when it comes to direct outreach. I do participate in the great events that different disability groups put on (walks, trunk or treats, vendor fairs, etc.) but I also try to do at least a few large events each year that are for the general public, not just a specific group. I have met Special Education teachers, members of our local Social Security Administration, and lots of people who know an individual with a disability but are not involved with any disability groups or events. I have also met individuals who do not know anyone with a disability but would like to be able to help/ give in some way. This has led me to find ways to make that possible.

Two things that I always try to interject quickly into conversations with people at events are that 1. We are a state entity, and 2. That I am the program director. Letting people know that we are not a for profit company, but a part of the state Treasurer’s office can quickly lower someone’s guard.

Additionally, letting them know I am the director shows that I am invested in Enable. Having direct contact with the end users is definitely a perk of being in a small office. I do my best to listen to concerns and make improvements based on feedback and questions I have gotten. Letting people know their voice matters, and that I am doing my best to make sure they are heard goes a long way in building trust which converts into more open accounts.

Another strategy that has been huge for me is networking. Every time I do a vendor fair or any event where I have a booth, I am always sure to speak to the other vendors. I always have a business card to share, and make sure they know what Enable is. Many presentations and events have come from this strategy.

My strategy in a nutshell is that I will talk to anyone about Enable that will listen. Probably 95% of the people I talk to have never heard of Enable, and as long as I keep running into those kinds of numbers, I know that I still have lots of work to do!