BCI Approved to Offer Ticket to Work Program Services

(St. Louis, Mo., April 19, 2023) Boone Center, Inc. (BCI)—a nonprofit that improves the lives of
adults with disabilities through employment opportunities—has been approved as a service
provider for Social Security’s Ticket to Work (Ticket) program. BCI is the first Employment
Network (EN) in St. Charles County for this national program and one of only three in St. Louis
County.

ENs help people who receive Social Security disability benefits prepare for, find, or maintain
employment. Participation in the Ticket program is free and voluntary. Everyone aged 18
through 64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) benefits because of their disability may participate in the Ticket program.
“We are very excited about offering this much-needed service to qualified participants in St.
Charles and St. Louis Counties,” said BCI Benefits Case Manager Sandy Weitkamp. “Social
Security offers participants a variety of work incentives and may allow them to keep their
Medicare or Medicaid coverage as they transition to work.”

BCI is one of Missouri’s largest disability employment services providers. The agency offers a
continuum of job and training opportunities as well as competitive employment services
including discovery and exploration, job development and coaching, supported employment
follow-along, and benefits planning.

“Choosing to work changes lives,” said Weitkamp. “And receiving Ticket services while
transitioning from unemployment or underemployment to full-time work can bring much-needed
peace of mind for those moving toward greater self-sufficiency and independence.”
For more information on BCI’s Ticket services, call 636-875-5253 or email
sweitkamp@skillscenterstl.com. For more information on the national Ticket to Work program,
visit www.ssa.gov/work or call 1-866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

The BCI Skills Center receives funding from the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board of
St. Charles County and the Productive Living Board of St. Louis County. These are public taxing
entities, commonly known as a “Senate Bill 40 Boards”, which enter into funding contracts with
agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.

ABOUT BCI
Founded in 1959, Boone Center, Inc. (BCI) inspires and supports people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities, challenging personal growth and development through a continuum

of innovative employment opportunities. Headquartered at 200 Trade Center Dr. W in St. Peters,
Mo., BCI currently employs more than 250 adults with disabilities under its organizational
employment program and serves dozens more with employment services, vocational training,
and follow-along services under its competitive employment program and Skills Center. For
more information, call (636) 875-5279 or visit https://www.boonecenter.com/.