U.S. Department of Labor Announces Funding Opportunity For New Center For Employer-Focused Disability Policy and Technical Assistance

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $2 million in funds for the first year of a cooperative agreement for an employer-focused disability policy development and technical assistance center. The solicitation is a re-competition of an existing cooperative agreement. The deadline to apply is June 24, 2019.

Administered by the Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), the funding opportunity anticipates the availability of approximately $8 million in funds for a 4-year budget period (subject to the availability of federal funds at $2 million per year). Seeking to build upon the prior work of ODEP's Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN), the new center will conduct research; engage with the business community; identify effective policies and practices that support business needs; and provide resources, technical assistance, and training to help public- and private-sector employers (including federal contractors) recruit, hire, retain, and advance individuals with disabilities.

"America's workforce is stronger when all Americans participate," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, Jennifer Sheehy. "Understanding effective policies and practices benefits employers as people with disabilities bring their skills and talents to the workplace."

The full announcement will be available at www.grants.gov. Visit ODEP's website for more information.