The Institute provides rapid-response, nuts and bolts
information for its member local governments. This service is called EBIS.
There are no separate
fees for this benefit, use is unlimited, and all staff have access. An
inquiry submitted to the Institute is immediately sent to all the local
governments on the Institute's growing email "broadcast" list. When a
response to the posted question is received, the information is then
transmitted to the inquiring locality by email. Any hard copy responses
are faxed or mailed when received.
The service is designed to handle highly specific topical questions
that other local governments can respond to simply and easily. In many
cases, the request is for examples of forms, systems, or policies.
Respondants simply slip a copy of the applicable materials in the mail
or send it as an attachment to an email. At other times, the inquirer
is asking for referrals or information sites rather than direct data.
While the email broadcast is used to obtain suggestions from other
localities, the Institute will place phone calls to other agencies and
associations on behalf of the member to locate possible resources.
Questions or requests that involve considerable research and staff time
are reviewed to determine whether they should be handled on a
project/contract basis apart from the technical assistance function.
To date, the Institute has worked on over 1,600 substantial inquiries and developed a list of over 2,500 contacts.
Contact: Tedd E. Povar, tep3e@virginia.edu, Telephone: (804) 371-0202
INSTITUTE
APPLIED RESEARCH
TECH ASSISTANCE