The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to promote the employment of persons with disabilities. ODEP and NASWA hereby form an Alliance to conduct training, provide integrated efforts to share tools, and outreach activities that promote the recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement of individuals with disabilities, including veterans with disabilities.
Alliance Activities
ODEP Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez and Mark Henry, NASWA President and Executive Director, shake hands after signing the Alliance agreement.
ODEP and NASWA agree to work together to carry out the following activities:
- Participate in workgroups, committees, conferences and other venues to engage in discussions and share information aimed at promoting employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
- Obtain feedback from NASWA members, affiliates, and partners including the Direct Employers Association on ODEP programs, policy initiatives, resources and methods of outreach to ensure that they are effective and useful from the perspective of the workforce investment system and employers in facilitating the recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement of individuals with disabilities.
- Provide professional development, training and technical assistance support to NASWA staff, members, affiliates, partners and others including employers on ODEP initiatives and resources.
- Collaborate to disseminate information to NASWA members, affiliates, partners and others on ODEP tools and resources, initiatives and research in disability employment policy.
- Participate in meetings and/or discussions with representatives from other ODEP Alliances to exchange information on disability employment issues and explore opportunities for additional collaborative activities.
About the National Association of State Workforce Agencies
NASWA was founded in the depths of the Great Depression, in the early years of unemployment insurance and employment service programs. It is an organization of state administrators of unemployment insurance laws, employment services, training programs, employment statistics and labor market information. Throughout its more than 75-year history, NASWA has strengthened the workforce system through information exchange, liaison, and advocacy.
The guiding principles of NASWA are:
- Advance the state role in the workforce system;
- Invest in training and professional development; and
- Lead in coordinating local, state, and federal roles.
For more information about NASWA visit https://www.naswa.org/.