CCi Voice Helps Connect CT Residents with Financial Aid

The WorkPlace, a nonprofit workforce development agency in Bridgeport, was quick to answer the call to help people struggling to pay rent and other bills due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The agency was selected by the Connecticut Department of Housing in February to provide call center support for UniteCT – a program offering rent and utility assistance to eligible households. The WorkPlace then called on its own local phone company, CCi Voice, to power up a call center.

Redding, Conn.-based CCi Voice works with local businesses, schools and nonprofits to install, maintain and upgrade critical communications infrastructure, voice and computer cabling, and video surveillance. For The WorkPlace, CCi Voice secured an easy-to-remember toll-free number – 844-UNITECT – to get the word out about UniteCT, which provides up to $10,000 in rental assistance and up to $1,500 in electric utility payments to landlords and utility companies on behalf of approved tenants. CCi Voice set up a 15-station call center using desktop softphones with separate queues for the staff to assist both English- and Spanish-speaking callers from throughout the state and then direct them to local agencies. The call center went live March 9 and is handling some 1,000 calls a day.

“We went live within two weeks and immediately began helping people access programs that will help them remain in their homes,” said Joseph Carbone, president and CEO of The WorkPlace. “Having reliable ‘connectivity’ has aided our team immensely and the guidance provided to train call center staff helped to create a seamless onboarding process.”

Carbone added that the call center activity is trackable with a virtual switchboard, enabling The WorkPlace to adjust staffing and easily access reports for the Housing Department. UniteCT is being funded by $235 million in federal aid to the state.

“The WorkPlace is a longtime customer and valued member of the CCi Voice family, and we respect the work they do to help our neighbors,” said Michael LeBlanc, president and CEO of CCi Voice, which provides telecommunications and cloud-based solutions throughout the Northeast. “We’re proud to collaborate with Joe and his dedicated team to assist Connecticut residents in getting the financial help they need in these trying times. This is our home, and we’re here to support our communities. It is because of organizations like The Workplace that CCi Voice offers ‘Compassionate Pricing’ to its nonprofit customers.”

The WorkPlace call center is operational weekdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call 1-844-UNITECT (1-844-864-8328).

Connecticut’s Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno noted the call center’s important role in the program. “We knew there would be tenants and landlords needing technological and programmatic support while completing their applications,” she said. “The WorkPlace is flexible as enhancements to the program become available and focused on providing quality customer service. Within a week, their leadership had a comprehensive plan for setting up a phone system with CCi Voice. We are incredibly pleased with The WorkPlace’s enthusiasm and commitment to being a partner with the Department of Housing. Together, we are working to break down barriers between tenants and landlords and getting the emergency rental assistance into the hands of those who need it most.”

About CCi Voice

CCi Voice is headquartered at 38 High Ridge Road in Redding, Conn., with an additional office and warehouse at 730 Blue Point Road in Holtsville, N.Y. A Sangoma Pinnacle Partner and Mitel Business Partner, CCi Voice works with top industry suppliers to provide both cloud-based and on-premise solutions with rapid, on-site response times and a service level agreement (SLA). The company was recognized in 2021 with Sangoma’s Pinnacle Partner Award for the 10th consecutive year and ranked in the top 10 for North America (hitting the #2 spot for the third time). CCi Voice can be reached at (203) 938-8400, 631-447-9000 or by visiting www.cci.tel. For the latest news and updates, follow @CCiVoice on Facebook, @CCi_Voice on Twitter and Instagram, and @ccivoice on LinkedIn.

About The WorkPlace

The WorkPlace conducts comprehensive planning and coordinates regional workforce development policy and programs to prepare people for careers while strengthening the workforce for employers. As national leader in the field, The WorkPlace regularly shares ideas and best practices with lawmakers, foundations, think tanks and other workforce development organizations around the country. For more information, visit www.workplace.org