What is a project? - - An endeavor undertaken to create a "unique" product or service. The purpose of a project is to bring about "change" and that is exactly what the OJI project is all about.

Why undertake the OJI project? - - Ohio's Unemployment Compensation Benefit System was built in the late 1980s. As the current Benefit System gets older, it will become harder and more costly to maintain (due to lack of support, lack of staff with knowledge of dated technology, and increased maintenance costs for equipment). The OJI project plans to re-write and re-engineer the current Benefits Delivery System to provide: 1) greater ease of use, 2) enhanced functionality, and 3) the latest technology.

20 staff members from Deloitte, as well as 20 of ODJFS's UC Benefits and MIS staff are currently working on the project. During implementation of the new system, the OJI Project will require 70 full-time staff. Statewide implementation is scheduled for the end of 2002.

Up-to-date monthly project status is available to help stakeholders gain information about where the project is now, as well as where it has been in the past.

This link provides the most common Questions and Answers about the OJI Project (e.g., What is different about the new system?, How is the new system going to benefit me?, etc.).

In addition to the "Frequently Asked Questions" about the Ohio Job Insurance (OJI) Project, a special email address (AskOJI@odjfs.state.oh.us.) is available. Project stakeholders are invited to communicate their individual questions and/or concerns - - please allow a one to two week response period for answer. The most recently asked questions are found here.

The federal and/or state unemployment compensation program inherently has it's own unique terminology. Additionally, since the OJI project takes advantage of the latest technology, it also uses terms that are best if defined.