News Release

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ODEP News Release: [10/01/2004]
Contact Name: Jane Norris or Michael Volpe
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or x7909

Human Service Agencies in States Selected for U.S. Labor Department Training/ Technical Assistance Programs for People with Disabilities

WASHINGTON—Human service agencies in California, Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts and Oklahoma have been selected to take part in training and technical assistance programs for people with disabilities, the U.S. Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) announced today.

The five agencies were chosen under the Training and Technical Assistance to Providers (T-TAP) national technical assistance center, which is funded by ODEP. T-TAP helps community rehabilitation providers apply customized employment strategies for people with disabilities who are seeking competitive jobs within their communities. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, and the Institute for Community Inclusion, located at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, partner with ODEP on this project through a cooperative agreement.

“Today's Training and Technical Assistance to Providers agreement in these five states will help build effective partnerships between employers and employment service providers that will result in better jobs and career advancement opportunities for people with disabilities,” said ODEP Assistant Secretary Roy Grizzard.

The five sites selected to participate are:

• Humboldt Community Access & Resources Center—Eureka, Calif.
• Hi-Hope Service Center—Lawrenceville, Georgia
• Magic Valley Rehabilitation Services—Twin Falls, Idaho
• Charles River Industries—Needham, Mass.
• Home of Hope, Inc.—Vinita, Okla.

Each site will receive an individually developed technical assistance plan, guidance from a mentor agency from the Community Rehabilitation Provider Leadership Network, on-site consultation from project staff and consultants and access to online courses, web casts and discussions with other providers who have successfully assisted individuals with disabilities in achieving competitive employment outcomes.

Additional information about the T-TAP project is available at www.t-tap.org. Information on ODEP programs is available on www.dol.gov/odep.

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