WHAT'S HAPPENING

LABOR DEPARTMENT OFFERS NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITY TO BOOST DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT

HIRE PURPOSE: The initiative seeks to address historical barriers that have impeded the transition from school to work for marginalized youth and young adults with disabilities.

Federal officials are pouring millions of dollars into a new effort to improve the transition from school to work for young people with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of more than $69 million in funding over a five-year budget period to support the development of innovative strategies that will help youth and young adults with disabilities transition to the workforce successfully.

Administered by the department's Office of Disability Employment Policy, the funding will be awarded in cooperative agreements with four recipients, subject to federal fund availability, at about $17 million per organization. Initial funding is expected to total $12.9 million or $3.2 million per agreement.

"When it comes to finding and exploring opportunities for employment, youth and young adults with disabilities have historically faced systemic barriers related to their disabilities," said Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. "The funding opportunity announced today will help us identify policies and practices that enable these young people to transition to employment successfully and move us toward a more equitable and inclusive workforce."

Aligned with the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to foster a more inclusive workforce, the grants will identify evidence-based solutions to help recipients to better address employment needs of youth and young adults with disabilities.

Eligibility for the grant is extended to state agencies focused on labor, employment, education, health and human services, vocational rehabilitation services, or workforce development. The U.S. Department of Labor has emphasized that the funding should be utilized to develop "scalable strategies" aimed at enhancing employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities who belong to marginalized groups. The target demographic for this initiative includes individuals between the ages of 14 and 24.

Over the course of five years, up to four grants will be awarded, signifying a sustained commitment to fostering positive change in the employment landscape for young people with disabilities. The application window for states to submit their proposals is open until October 31.

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