BRAC-Coach

In order to more efficiently and effectively support its forces, increase operational readiness and facilitate new ways of doing business, the Department of Defense has taken steps to reorganize its infrastructure which has resulted in the closing and realigning of many military installations across the country.

The BRAC Coach identified common issues and problems facing workers, businesses and workforce staff impacted by these closings and realignments, and helped them navigate the sometimes complex government Web resources available to assist them during these times. Acting as an interactive "user manual," the BRAC Coach identified common questions concerning workers and businesses and provided step-by-step instructions for accessing external Web sites that contain job bank information, employment assistance, Rapid Response program information, education and training opportunities, and more.

The BRAC Coach sat beside federal Web sites in the form of an instructional right-hand side-bar. From assisting business owners who have contracts with a closing military base, to helping displaced workers find new jobs, the tool guided users to the federal, state and local government support services and resources.

The BRAC Coach used the EZRO (Devis' web presence system for managing on-line content, e-learning, and coaching) to meet all of their online objectives. The EZRO content management system enabled the Department of Labor to create multiple OnLine Coaches by reusing much of the same material and modifying the content for specific audiences. Eight OnLine Coaches were created to assist a variety of audiences. While the OnLine Coaches were available to all citizens, they were specifically written to assist: business, workers and job seekers, workforce development professionals, military spouses, BRAC-affected business, workers, workforce development professionals, hurricane disaster victims, community college students, HUD Neighborhood Network residents.

Rapid Turn-Around The BRAC Coach is a prime example of rapid turn-around of critical information.

• In a matter of weeks the BRAC Coach was designed, content developed and focused to bring crucial and immediate aid to businesses, workers and workforce development professionals who were affected by the BRAC announcements.
• The BRAC Coach was ready for public release on May 13, 2005 – the day of the BRAC announcements.
• This BRAC Coach was lauded by the Department of Defense and was included in the packet of resources that was sent to each BRAC affected worker.

The objectives of the BRAC Coach are:

• Rapid turn-around of designing, development, creating content and releasing the BRAC Coach the first day of the BRAC announcement, May 13, 2005
• Deliver that online tool to a specific audience at minimal cost to the government.
• Deliver 508 accessible content.
• Connect BRAC-related citizens to many Federal agencies, such as: Department of Defense, Department of Labor, Department of Housing, Small Business Administration, Social Security Administration, Administration for Children & Families, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Family or Social Services, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Personnel Management, Vocational Rehabilitation State Offices, DisabilityInfo.gov and references to local community partners.
• Assist three key audiences to relevant resources:

1. Businesses received local economic development resources, rapid response information, and the nearest One-Stop Career Center.
2. Workers received referrals to job and education information, support services, and unemployment information.
3. Workforce staff to received instructions to resources help workers: identify skills, find demand occupations, identify potential employers, and find help with resume assistance

• July 20, 2006 - BRAC Coach, Recognition of Excellence by the Department of Labor.
• 2005 - The BRAC Coach was a finalist in the 2005 Web Content Managers Best Practice Award for the Services for Specific Audiences category.
• 2003 AXIEM Award - Absolute eXcellence In Electronic Media

• Federal Computer Week, July 5, 2006
• U.S. News & World Report, March 2 & 20, 2006
• Bureau of National Affairs – Washington Alert, July 14, 2005
• U.S. Newswire, June 28, 2005