RESNA Catalyst Project Document Search
General
Quality Indicators for Financial Loan Programs (2012) -- Available formats: mp3
The RESNA Catalyst Project discusses the recently-developed Quality Indicator statements for financial loan programs.Publication: Findings from the Top Performers Workgroup (2011) -- Available formats: word
This document summarizes and presents the results of the Top Performers in Telework Loan Programs workgroup, as part of the Telework Loan Programs initiative of 2010. Five identified Keys to Success are detailed, and specific action steps and worksheets are provided for all program's use.Telework - Allowable Loans Fact Sheet (2011) -- Available formats: word
This overview provides a quick reference as to what are considered allowable Telework Progam loans, as indicated by the latest Technical Assistance Circular and policy evolution.Update on Telework Loans – September 27, 2010 (2010) -- Available formats: rtf mp3
This teleconference reflected on the activities of the loan programs in FY 2009. Nancy Meidenbauer from NATTAP provided Telework Program data since the programs began. Tony Rice, Director of the Maryland WorkABILITY Loan Program shared his policy changes that resulted in Maryland's high volume of telework loans.Telework Program: Increasing Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities (2006) -- Available formats: pdf
A Report on the First Two years of Program Operations of the Telework Program FY 2004- FY 2005Reports
Financing Business Equipment to Increase Employment of People with Disabilities (2010) -- Available formats: pdf
This is a report on the six years of operation of the Telework Loan Programs From FY 2004 to FY 2009. Includes data about funding levels, program structure, number of loans made, types of borrowers, and types of equipment purchased. Also includes outcome data on increases in wages and maintanence of employment.Telework Report: Six Years (2010) -- Available formats: pdf
This publication reports on the the Access to Telework Loan Programs for six years, from 2004-2009. It is a comprehensive look at the activity of the Telework Loan Programs, and offers profiles of success.Capitalizing Ability (2009) -- Available formats: rtf
Published in the World Institute on Disability's Equity newsletter, December 2008, this looks at the promise of the microenterprise field for people with disabilities. It compares the micro approach with that of vocational rehabilitation.Opening Opportunities, Building Ownership: Fulfilling the Promise of Microenterprise in the United States (2009) -- Available formats: pdf
A report from the FIELD program of the Aspen Institute, this is a 20 year look at the accomplishments of Microenterprise programs. It identifies challenges and makes recommendations to grow the filed.Suggestions for Partnering (2008) -- Available formats: rtf
This is a summary of the discussion about strategies for partnering with the key groups - VR, Agrability, ILC, WIPa, Business Development Groups. It discussed the messages and means to communicate with these potential partners.Findings from Telework Research Projects - March 21, 2007 (2007) -- Available formats: rtf mp3
This teleconference provides an overview of the three research projects on telework and telecommuting sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Researchers from each of the projects discuss their studies and findings to date. They also describe resources that they have produced that might be of interest to Telework loan programs.National Study of People with Disabilities Who are Self-Employed (2007) -- Available formats: rtf
This study looks at demographic, economic factors associated with those individuals who have disabilites and are self employed.Process of Articulating a Brand Strategy (2007) -- Available formats: rtf
This document goes through the steps of articulating a brand and how to create a brand.RSA Technical Assistance Circular for Telework (2007) -- Available formats: pdf rtf
RSA issued this technical assistance ciruclar in 2007, which provides guidance to telework programs regarding acceptable items for purchase with telework loans.Frequently asked Questions on Telework Listserv (2005) -- Available formats: html
Questions and answers concerning qualifications of borrower, purchasing training, suppies, repair, and maintenance, providing financial literacy and credit counseling, promoting the use of telework, the definition of a telework center, and preference to those who have IPEs.Sample Documents
Florida's New Horizon Fund email blast text (2010) -- Available formats: rtf
Text for E-blast from Florida Loan ProgramIllinois General Brochure for AFP andTelework Programs (2010) -- Available formats: pdf
This is a general promotional brochure for Illinois that advertises both the AFP and telework loan programMichigan Employment Loan Fund Brochure (2010) -- Available formats: pdf other
Michigan brochure advertising the Employment Loan Fund - two PDFs - one the inside the other the outsideMichigan Marketing Plan (2010) -- Available formats: rtf
This plan details both the marketing of the telework program and the AFPMinnesota's EquipALife General Brochure (2010) -- Available formats: pdf
This brochure promotes general awareness of all of EquipALife programs.Minnesota's EquipALife Telework Brochure (2010) -- Available formats: pdf
Marketing brocuhre for MinnesotaSuccess Story: Illinois: Angel's Place of Cicero (2010) -- Available formats: rtf
Successful entrepreneur from Illinois.Washington Telework Checklist (2010) -- Available formats: rtf
This list provides loan processors with the key items to be considered for funding telework loans.Washington's WATF Telework Handout (2010) -- Available formats: pdf other
Brochure from Washington - Do you want to start a business.WATF General Handout (2010) -- Available formats: pdf other
Flyer promoting all of Washington's programsMaryland WorkABILITY Loan Program Policies (2009) -- Available formats: rtf
This document has the latest policies for the Maryland loan program that has allowed the loan program to provide Telework loans.Staffing for Microenterprise - Program Manager Position Description (2009) -- Available formats: rtf
This is a program description for a Loan Fund Progam ManagerVirginia Telework Policy Manual (2008) -- Available formats: rtf
Sample policies and procedures from VirginiaWriting business plans/curriculum (2008) -- Available formats: word
This curriculum has been used by the Washington Access Fund to teach busines plan development.Maryland Telework Policies and Procedures (2007) -- Available formats: rtf
Sample policies and procedures from the Maryland Telework Loan ProgramPresentation of Sustainability - WITelwork Plan (2007) -- Available formats: rtf
This is the sustainability plan that was developed through the Sustainability work group by the Wisconsin Telework loan program.Entrepreneurial Self-Assessment Survey (unknown) -- Available formats: rtf
Entrepreneurial Self-Assessment Survey was produced by the Women’s Initiative for Self-Employment. This tool helps would-be entrepreneurs gauge how well self-employment may work for them.Toolkits
Assessing Organizational Readiness (2009) -- Available formats: pdf
This is an assessment survey that businesses and potential clients complete when a microlender is considering starting in a community. It has a list of potential services that could be offered by the microlender.MDO Funding Resources Sheet (2009) -- Available formats: pdf
This chart provides a list of the major fuunding sources for microdevelopment loans.Comparison of AFP and Telework Data Elements (2008) -- Available formats: rtf
This provides an overview of the differences between the AFP and the Telework data that is now required.Development of Action Plans - Worksheets (2008) -- Available formats: rtf
This series of worksheets provides a tool for loan programs to organize their activities when planning growth and partnerships for the telework loan program.Telework Data Reporting Points (2008) -- Available formats: rtf
This lists the data elements in the new Telework data collection instrument.Self Assessment Tool for Individuals Considering Home-Based Employment (2007) -- Available formats: rtf
This is a questionnaire for an individuals to use when considering self employment It includes a look at the individual's knowledge and skills and interest.Suggestions for Telework Promotion Plans Teleconference - November 19, 2007, (2007) -- Available formats: rtf
This document summarized the discussion ppoints of the telework marketing branding work gorup. It provides Suggestions for Telework Promotion PlansUnderwriting/Evaluation Guidelines for Microenterprise and Small Business Loans (2007) -- Available formats: rtf
This document provides guidance for loan programs undewriting telework loand for self employment. Underwriting looks at financial and credit data, the personnel of the business, collateral, and repayment ability.Marketing Materials
Marketing - Branding Work Group Teleconference - November 19, 2007, Transcript (2007) -- Available formats: rtf mp3
This call furthers the discussion of possible branding efforts by the loan programs and includes approaches to marketing to potential influencers.Marketing - Branding Work Group Teleconference - November 5, 2007, Summary of Discussion (2007) -- Available formats: rtf
This document summarizes the Key Attributes that were discussed during a teleconference on branding the telework programs.Marketing - Branding Work Group Teleconference - November 5, 2007, Transcript (2007) -- Available formats: rtf mp3
This call explores the challenges of marketing the telework program and provides a discussion of possible name changes or the addition of a tag line.Resources for Providing Loans for Home-Based Employment (2007) -- Available formats: rtf
This summarizes the findings of the MITE research and lists possible sources of employers intrested in employing teleworkers.Training Materials
Introduction to Microenterprise Development (2009) -- Available formats: rtf ppt
This provides an overview of the microenterprise field, a history, typical businesses, case examples of businesses, challenges and pitfalls. It also looks at funding for these loan programs, the MicroTest program, and trends for growth in the industry.WATF Business Planning Curriculum (2009) -- Available formats: word
This curriculum is used by Washington Access Fund to prepare potential borrowers to develop a business plan.WATF Business Planning Curriculum Presentation (2009) -- Available formats: rtf mp3
In this presentation, Kathy Gilman of the Washington Assistive Technology Foundation introduces a curriculum she has developed, aimed at helping start up home-based businesses write their business plans.Profile
MicroMentor Overview (2010) -- Available formats: pdf
This document provides an overview of the Micr mentor program to match experienced business professionals with individuals just starting a business.MicroMentor Match Story (2010) -- Available formats: pdf
This is a profile of a mentor and a mentee and how the partnership helped a new business improve.Comparative Profiles of Three Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) (2009) -- Available formats: rtf
This chart looks at three microlenders and compares them. The three programs are : GANE, Gulf Coast, and WATFGetting Ready for Telework One-Year Follow Up Surveys - August 19, 2009 (2009) -- Available formats: rtf mp3
Kathy Meisner-Altman of Wisconsin, Milissa Gofourth from Oklahoma and Kathy Gilman of Washington described how their programs are planning to collect, or have collected one-year follow up data on current Telework borrowers. The discussion centered about required data elements, but also explored additional questions that might be asked of borrowers.Overview of Microenterprise Organizations (2009) -- Available formats: rtf ppt
This provides the background of the microenterprise field and explores how the Telework Programs are part of this field in that the programs serve similar client bases, provide similar typical loans, and are organized similarly.Kansas Assistive Technology Cooperative (2008) -- Available formats: rtf
This presentaton describes the relationship of the Kansas loan program with its Small Business Development Center. The SBDC provides business plan development for the Telework applicants.MicroLenders (2008) -- Available formats: ppt
This presentation describes the microlender programs in the country, the typical lenders and their services. It also looks a the demographics of the borrowers of micro lenders.New Mexico SEEDLoans (2008) -- Available formats: ppt
Thhis presentation describes the close relationship and partanership that the SEEDLoans program has with the New Mexico VR program. It describes how VR support borrowers and also describes current road blocks.Overview of the Telework Program (2008) -- Available formats: ppt
This provides a brief overview of the Telework Program, when it started and the programs that provide loans. It also describes one loan program, the Oklahoma ATF, in more detailLegislation
2009 Telework Forum Follow-Up - July 14, 2009 (2009) -- Available formats: rtf mp3
This call provides a recap of major issues that were discussed at the 2009 Telework Forum in Arlington, VA. A presentation on the microenterprise development field was given by NATTAP. Rob Groenendaal, Brian Bard, and Jeremy Buzzell from RSA provided insight into the case-by-case evaluation standard established in the 2007 Telework Technical Assistance Circular.RSA Dear Colleague Letter- March 8, 2007 (2007) -- Available formats: pdf rtf
Regarding grant writing by AFP and Telework granteesRSA: Directions for Home Based Employment and Self-Employment (2007) -- Available formats: pdf
This presentation spells out the key considerations for telework loan programs must decide when determining if the items requested for purchase with a telework loan are with the guidelines of the program.Grant Funds used for Resource Development - Fund Raising (2006) -- Available formats: html
Questions of Interest - Highlights from the Loan Program Listserv DiscussionsGrant Funds used for Resource Development - Grant Writing (2006) -- Available formats: html
Questions of Interest - Highlights from the Loan Program Listserv DiscussionsTeleconferences
Application Red Flags - Low Credit Scores and other Credit Issues (2012) -- Available formats: ppt
Cheryl Fatnassi from VT and Milissa Gofourth from OK present on application red flags, and discuss possible solutions for programs when faced with borderline applications.Asset Development Presentation from WID (2012) -- Available formats: ppt
The powerpoint to the Teleconference on Asset Development for AFPs and Teleworks.Red Flags Teleconference Recording (2012) -- Available formats: mp3
The audio recording for the May 9th teleconference on Application Red FlagsWhat's New in Asset Development (2012) -- Available formats: mp3
Tom Foley, Deputy Director of the World Institute on Disability, presents on the current state of Asset Development and how to incorporate this into a financial loan program.Exploring Entrepreneurship National Webinar - April 27, 2011 (2011) -- Available formats: external
Kathy Gilman, from the Washington Access Fund, presents this webinar to Telework Loan programs and interested parties. Designed for budding entrepreneurs, this webinar focuses on the beginnings of entrepreneurship and the basics of business planning.Introduction to MicroMentor - February 9, 2010 (2010) -- Available formats: rtf other
MicroMentor's helps microenterprise organizations quickly and easily connect clients with high-value business expertise and industry-specific knowledge. MicroMentor’s services may be a means to expand Telework programs’ service offerings, and help borrowers access a vast network of local and national business volunteers.Supporting Borrowers for Successful Businesses - July 28, 2010 - Power point (2010) -- Available formats: ppt
This presentation looks at what happens after the loan has been provided - to ensure it is paid back. The presentation coers loandocuments, the importance of visits to the new business and the encouraging the use of mentors and peer supports. It also stresses the importance of the loan program reviewing financial information and offering ways to correct the course of the business if necessary.Telework Top Performers on Policies and Products - February 16, 2010 (2010) -- Available formats: rtf mp3
The top performing Telework programs discuss innovative loan products and approaches to policies they have taken to help boost the utilization of their loan funds. Strategies discussed included varied repayment schemes such as quarterly, annual or interest-only payments, as well as loan products that combine Telework funds with VR funding, SBA loans, and PASS plans.Telework Top Performers on Staffing - March 16, 2010 (2010) -- Available formats: rtf mp3
The top performing Telework programs share strategies on staffing programs effectively. Strategies to utilize existing staff resources are provided as well as sugestions about other infrastructure components that help programs become successful.Telework Top Performers on Training and Supports - January 22, 2010 (2010) -- Available formats: rtf mp3
This call focuses on ways in which Telework programs have developed loan-ready borrowers by providing a range of support services including: business plan development, mentoring services, financial education, benefits planning and other supports. The group discussed different approaches to providing such help, including useful collaborative opportunities.Self Employment Resource Network - Teleconference -February 25, 2009 (2009) -- Available formats: rtf mp3
Eric Guidish of the Illinois Telework Program, and Dave Porter of the Self-Employment Resources Network (SERN), discuss their collaboration to provide mentoring services to entrepreneurs with disabilities. Additional support services offered to Telework clients are discussed.Telework Top Performers on Partnerships - December 14, 2009 (2009) -- Available formats: rtf mp3
This call focuses on the partnerships that programs have established that have enabled them to increase the number of applicants seeking Telework loans, develop applicant loan readiness, and foster borrowers' eventual success, including: Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living, agricultural contacts such as AgrAbility projects, Small Business Development Centers other employment-related organizations, and more.Getting Ready for Telework Data Collection – October 27, 2008 - Powerpoint (2008) -- Available formats: ppt
This presentation provides an introduction to the new data collection instrument that Telework programs will be using. It shows how the instrument is similar to the AFP instrument but highllights additional questions on leveraging funding, type of equipment purchased, and employment status. There is even a follow-up survey one year afater the loan is disbursed.Telework Data in the MIS (2008) -- Available formats: ppt
This presentation shows how a telework program uses the MIS to enter data annually.Findings from Telework Research Projects - March 21, 2007 - MITE (2007) -- Available formats: rtf
The presentation describes the research studies and results that MITE had encouraging telecommuting and providing education and other supports to individuals to help them succeed.Findings from Telework Research Projects - March 21, 2007 - ODEP Overview (2007) -- Available formats: pdf
This presentation provides an overview of the telework research studies that the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) sponsored.Findings from Telework Research Projects - March 21, 2007 - VCU (2007) -- Available formats: pdf
This preentation highlights the research that VCU conducted on people with disabilites who telecomute.Findings from Telework Research Projects - March 21, 2007 - Workplace (2007) -- Available formats: pdf rtf
This presentation describes the research survey results that the Workplace conducted and the compilation of resources that the project is engaged in.Meetings
2009 Telework Forum - Agenda (2009) -- Available formats: rtf
This is the agenda of the 2009 Telework Forum held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va May 15-16, 2009.2009 Telework Forum - List of Participants (2009) -- Available formats: rtf
This is the List of Participants for the 2009 Telework FormFederal Funding Sources for Microenterprise Development (2009) -- Available formats: pdf
This lists common funding sources, primarily federal programs that provide funding to microlenders.Funding for Microenterprise Development Organizations (2009) -- Available formats: rtf
List of current and potential funders of microloan programs.2008 Telework Forum - Agenda (2008) -- Available formats: rtf
Agenda for the 2008 Telework Forum conducted at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia June 25-26, 20082008 Telework Forum - List of Participants (2008) -- Available formats: rtf
This is the list of participants for the 2008 Telework Forum.Self Employment Resources (2008) -- Available formats: rtf
This listing ofers a wealth of resources to assist the telework loan program and its borrowers in areas including assessments, business plan development, financial, funding, legal, and more.Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (2008) -- Available formats: ppt
This presentation looks at the WIPA program. It describes the differences between SSI and SSDI and how each has benefits that are affected by financial loans and work. It includes ways that a loan program can work with WIPA centers and how to link to these programs.2007 Telework Forum - Agenda (2007) -- Available formats: rtf
Agenda for meeting at the Adam's mark Hotel in Denver, Colorado May 21, 2007.2007 Telework Forum - List of Participants (2007) -- Available formats: rtf
This is the list of participants for the 2007 Telework Forum.Implications for Providing Loans for Home-Based Employment (2007) -- Available formats: ppt
Two representatives from Telework loan programs look to the new TAC and the research findings to identify implications for their own loan programs.Who are the Self-Employed? (2007) -- Available formats: ppt
This presentation provides information gathered by the Washington program through surveys of its telework borrowers.Organizational Resources
MicroMentor.org (2010) -- Available formats: external
MicroMentor.org - A resource that connects microentrepreneurs with mentors with experience appropriate to their business. Microenterprise development organizations can become an affiliate, and receive additional services such as outcome tracking.
