|
LABOR DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES $11 MILLION IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT NEW
FREEDOM INITIATIVE
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today
announced $11.3 million in federal grants that will support the President's New
Freedom Initiative goal to integrate Americans with disabilities into the
workforce. These grants, which range in amount from $1.4 million to $15,000,
will be used to develop innovative programs and technical assistance that will
improve employment outcomes for adults and youth with disabilities.
"I am pleased to announce a series of grant awards that will
directly support the goals of the President's New Freedom Initiative of
bringing persons with disabilities into the workforce," said Chao. "The grants
will ensure that all of the Department's job-related programs are fully
available to people with disabilities. Helping to fully integrate Americans
with disabilities into the mainstream of our economy is critically important to
meeting the challenges of the 21st century economy."
Thirty-three grants have been awarded in the following five
categories: Customized Employment for Adults with Disabilities, Workforce
Investment Act (WIA) Disability Technical Assistance Consortia for Youth and
Adults with Disabilities, Innovative Demonstration Grants for Youth with
Disabilities, High School/High Tech Start-up Programs and High School/High Tech
Realignment Programs.
The various grantees will be working to develop model programs or
technical assistance initiatives that will enhance opportunities for people
with disabilities in various DOL work-related programs, as well as to
strengthen the capacity of these programs to serve people with disabilities.
Successful programs will be replicated across the United States.
The grants are the first to be awarded through the Labor
Department's new Office of Disability Employment Policy and will be
administered by that office.
EDITOR, PLEASE NOTE: A list of grant recipients for each of the
programs is attached.
# # #
High School/High Tech Start-Up
Grant Awardees
Customized Employment
Grants
High School/High Tech
Realignment Grants
Innovative Demonstration
Grants for Youth with Disabilities Awardees
Technical Assistance Grant
Awardees |
