Link-Up and Lifeline Link-Up and Lifeline Telephone Assistance WorkshopTelephone Assistance Workshop

April 11, 2006

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KMR Opinion on What Florida’s KMR Opinion on What Florida’s Link-Up and Lifeline Goals Should BeLink-Up and Lifeline Goals Should Be

•Increase public awareness of Lifeline and Link-Up telephone assistance services.

•Engage effective outreach initiatives reaching Florida eligibles and increasing the number of enrolled Lifeline recipients to reach the national average Lifeline participation level.

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Link-Up and Lifeline Outreach Link-Up and Lifeline Outreach Efforts Performed by KMREfforts Performed by KMR

Launched Florida’s Lifeline/Link-Up National School Lunch Program in all 67

counties with coordinated placement of Lifeline brochures in 2.6 million back-

to-school student packets

Designed Lifeline/Link-Up National School Lunch Program brochure and

initial implementation plan for 67 school districts

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Link-Up and Lifeline Outreach Link-Up and Lifeline Outreach Efforts Performed by KMR (continued)Efforts Performed by KMR (continued)

0200400600800

1,0001,2001,4001,6001,800

OCT DEC FEB APR JUN AUG

Lifeline/Link-Up Applications Received

2004 2005

Source: Florida Public Service Commission

National School Lunch Program Brochures Distributed

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Link-Up and Lifeline Outreach Efforts Link-Up and Lifeline Outreach Efforts Performed by KMR (continued)Performed by KMR (continued)

Followed school district placements of Lifeline/Link-Up National School

Lunch Program Information in student packets, performed troubleshooting,

identified and implemented necessary program changes and modifications

Identified and coordinated distribution of more than 11,000 Lifeline/Link-Up

brochures for statewide clients of government human service agencies

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Link-Up and Lifeline Outreach Efforts Link-Up and Lifeline Outreach Efforts Performed by KMR (continued)Performed by KMR (continued)

Coordinated 4 Lifeline/Link-Up National School Lunch Program media

events:

Statewide Press Conference

Marion County

Leon County

Walton County

Wrote and placed Lifeline education and awareness news articles in

statewide minority (African-American and Hispanic) newspapers

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Barriers that Discourage or Prevent Barriers that Discourage or Prevent People from Enrolling in LifelinePeople from Enrolling in Lifeline

Unaware of Link-Up and Lifeline Telephone Assistance Programs

Distrust of assistance programs for low-income as provided by government and telephone industry

Belief by low-income consumers that their finances and credit will not

qualify them for telephone service

Link-up and Lifeline program enrollment access challenges in rural and small communities

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Suggestions on How to Increase Suggestions on How to Increase Enrollment in LifelineEnrollment in LifelineExpand outreach initiatives including: More aggressive consumer communications and education to increase

statewide Link-Up and Lifeline Program awareness

Further work with schools to reach families through the National School Free Breakfast and Lunch programs and to determine Lifeline program participation and benefits that may be derived through program integration in Florida

Develop on-line or electronic means of enrollment and verification to minimize the burdens on telephone companies and applicant households.

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Suggestions on How to Increase Suggestions on How to Increase Enrollment in Lifeline (continued)Enrollment in Lifeline (continued)

Deploy electronic sharing of Lifeline enrollment information between telecoms and a third-party administrator to further identify households eligible for enrollment

Develop more intimate Lifeline enrollment working relationship with Florida Departments of Elder Affairs and Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement

Share Lifeline program information electronically with the state agencies that operate various low-income assistance programs

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Specific Successes or Failures Specific Successes or Failures regarding Lifeline Outreachregarding Lifeline OutreachSuccessful Lifeline Outreach Initiatives: DCF outreach:

Mass mailing assisting Lifeline Program launch

Client notices

New client data exchange National School Lunch Program Back-to-School Initiative Connect Florida Campaign Various media campaigns

Lifeline Outreach Failure: Insufficient consumer program awareness

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Contact InformationContact Information

KMR Consultants, LLCLinda Dilworth, Chief Operating Officer3065 Highland Oaks TerraceTallahassee, Florida 32301LindaD@kmrconsultants.com850.222.3768 (office)850.561.0397 (fax)www.kmrconsultants.com

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