ESI envisions a national knowledge-based decision support network that relies on both the energy and skills of people and the use of emerging technologies to continuously improve WorkWORLD software and to facilitate its use around the country.

Three major initiatives will make it possible for WorkWORLD to have the broadest impact and to be most effective:

First, increased consumer-direct use of the software and a web-enabled process for people to use it is needed.

The current stand-alone PC application requires that a full individual copy of WorkWORLD must reside on each user's computer. This makes it impossible to notify the growing user community about frequent changes in policies, rates, and regulations on a timely basis. A web-based application would make it possible to notify users of changes quickly and uniformly. Also, because there is no assurance that users are running the same version of the software at the present time, technical support becomes difficult.

A web-enabled approach would ensure that all users have the same version, and support can be delivered with fewer complications. Finally, case sharing will be easier. Currently users can attach cases to e-mails, but this sometimes creates problems for downloading attachments in a centralized network environment, and there is no centralized repository of cases that can be managed by a high-powered database management system.

While the WEB definitely offers a better delivery mechanism for WorkWORLD than the current stand-alone version, there are also issues surrounding the development and management of WorkWORLD content. Systems like WW-WEB are becoming increasingly complex, requiring specialized domain knowledge and technical expertise from a variety of spatially and temporally distributed contributors. As the WorkWORLD software matures, we envision collaboration from a variety of content providers and software developers who have different levels of technical expertise and who work on different types of computers in different technological environments. Multiple states and agencies will have varying software requirements and will want customized views and functionalities specific to their needs. Communicating, collaborating, and managing the variety of content that will be generated will require that appropriate processes and technologies are in place.

Secondly, ongoing development of WorkWORLD must include state-specific information about programs and policies and how they interact.

WorkWORLD software is being enhanced continuously with new usability features and with updated content about federal programs and policies. However, the software has maximum benefit when it also includes information about state and local programs and policies. This enables people affected by many different state and federal programs to look at their situations with a broader view and consider their options.

WorkWORLD is currently being customized for this purpose in several states. ESI does this in collaboration with state policy experts, consumers, and direct service providers through a coordinated process of information gathering and testing. This ensures accurate details about state and local programs are included in the Help/Information System.

State-specific questions and text results are developed in the software so that benefits recipients and their counselors can consider options to make best use of both federal and state work incentive programs and employment supports.

Some states have used WorkWORLD for decision support to look at state and local policy options. Using the software, models are developed to illustrate outcomes for people if new policies or rules were to come into effect, or to examine outcomes for people when they begin to use existing underutilized programs. This kind of policy analysis supports decision-makers, consumers, advocates, and professionals because it enables them to test alternatives to determine the advantages of different paths before taking action.

Finally, a staffing infrastructure to support WorkWORLD is needed throughout the country. This will ensure that WorkWORLD is developed and disseminated with the benefit of continuous feedback from policy experts, advocates, and direct service professionals.

ESI envisions a national staffing infrastructure to promote the full participation of key stakeholders in the continuous enhancement and full implementation of WorkWORLD software. Included are national policy experts and program administrators, national and local advocates, state and local service professionals, parent groups, and people with disabilities. Participation by representatives from these groups will vary depending on the specific issues and activities at-hand.

For a complete description of the roles and responsibilities of various key positions in a national staffing model, go to http://www.vcu.edu/busweb/esi/wwkbds/WWKBDS.html.

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