The caller, a master’s level social worker in private practice, is returning a call to the NASW Assurance Services’ call center to obtain more information about the new NASW member-only benefit, EAPrefer, offered to NASW members intended to help grow their private practices. Launched only in 7 states so far, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas, this new program is generating considerable member interest and participation. Developed to assist NASW members in qualifying for participation in Employee Assistance Programs by establishing a network of professional social workers and relationships with EAP affiliate providers interested in utilizing their services.
While the caller is pleasantly surprised with the level of customer service and the thorough detail she is provided, she does not know that her customer service representative is a former business development professional stricken with multiple sclerosis (MS). NASW Assurance Services has partnered with Pearl Interactive, an innovative outbound call processing company who’s workforce consists of disabled veterans, military spouses and people with disabilities, for their call processing expertise and exceptional support services and to enhance the ability to serve NASW members. This particular call is handled by Mark Caffrey, a father of two children ages 18 and 22.
Nineteen years ago, at the age of 33, Caffrey was first alerted to symptoms of MS when he noticed a difference in the way he walked. This dramatic change, he soon learned from his physician, was a common early symptom of MS, a serious chronic and progressive illness affecting the body’s nervous system. It affects the brain and spinal cord and could ultimately result in loss of muscle control, vision, balance, numbness or thinking ability.
Not until 4 years ago had the progression of the MS affected his ability to walk and work outside of the home. Since then Mark volunteered with the Minneapolis Multiple Sclerosis Society. Until recently, when he heard about Pearl Interactive Network, LLC from a friend, he did not know that employment for people with physical challenges was even possible.
Merry Korn, a member of NASW and the owner of Pearl Interactive Network states "Mark Caffrey came to us with a strong professional background in business to business sales for companies such the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Lazarus Department Stores. He has also worked in telecom and consumer electronics. This is someone who brings to Pearl Interactive vital skills and a wealth of professional experience and is an asset to our organization. We hire based on ability not because of the disability”
According to the 2010 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium, people with disabilities have, at best, a 35 percent employment rate.
Pearl Interactive Network was started in 2005 by Merry Korn, MSW.
It is positioning for continued growth with the goal to hire over 300 employees with challenges over the next five years. It is a for profit social enterprise with a mission to create work opportunities for people armed with skills and talent but also have challenges such as: People with disabilities, Service disabled veterans, People living in geographically challenged area. Pearl Interactive services government, association and commercial contracts that require call center services, help desk and administrative services
Korn states, “As a business woman and social worker we believe, through Pearl Interactive Network, we have created a best practice solution that minimizes the barriers for employment for people with talent, skills and motivation who have physical challenges”.
Christine Moranda, LSW, CDMS, CCM, Manager of Disability Services for Ohio Health and Vice President of the Ohio United States Business Leadership Network comments,” I believe Pearl Interactive is a unique organization because they have invested in the technology that integrates a virtual call center application with assistive technologies. The home-based solution coupled with the technology is a viable and sustainable solution to creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities”.
For additional information, contact Pearl
Interactive Network at (614) 258-2943 or visit their website www.pearlinter.org.
