ETA News Release: [July 8, 2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: 202-693-3984
U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $8.1 Million in Grants To Aid Workers With Disabilities
Includes $200,000 to Bridgeport's The Workplace, Inc.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a $200,000 grant to The Workplace, Inc. in Bridgeport, Conn. This is one of 25 grants totaling $8.1 million to help workers with disabilities access the full spectrum of re-employment services offered at One-Stop Career Centers across the nation. The grants, awarded for 24 months, range from $200,000 to $600,000.
"Through programs such as the 'New Freedom Initiative,' the President has placed a priority on recognizing the untapped employment potential of Americans with disabilities, and the need to expand job opportunities available to them," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "These grants totaling $8.1 million will help people with disabilities access services at their community-based One-Stop Career Centers so they can launch successful working careers."
Work Incentive Grants are designed to enhance One-Stop Career Center service delivery to all job seekers, particularly those with disabilities. Grant recipients this year will focus on increasing staff expertise through "navigators" who assure that clients with disabilities have full access to the array of employment and training tools available through the public workforce system. The staff navigator will also address additional needs of workers with disabilities, like transportation assistance, housing assistance and health coverage after employment.
"These grants support efforts to provide comprehensive services to meet multiple barriers which frequently limit workforce opportunities for disabled workers," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. "The expert knowledge and cutting-edge technologies accessible through the Work Incentive Grants help guarantee that these workers with special needs get the tools necessary to be a successful part of the 21st century workforce."
The One-Stop Career Centers, established under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, are the focal point of the public workforce system, supporting the employment needs of workers and the human resource needs of business. The Labor Department's Employment and Training Administration is working with One-Stops to improve their capacity to meet the changing needs of business by assisting with recruitment, training and retention of skilled workers. To find the One-Stop nearest you, visit www.servicelocator.org.
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