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ODEP News Release: [10/23/2007]
Contact Name: Jennifer Kaplan or Richard Manning
Phone Number: (202) 693-5052 or x4676
Release Number: 07-1653-NAT

U.S. Department of Labor forms alliance with CVS Caremark to promote employment of workers with disabilities nationwide

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and CVS Caremark today established an alliance to encourage and promote the employment of people with disabilities through training and education, outreach and communication, technical assistance and other efforts.

"This alliance will mutually benefit CVS Caremark, the company's workforce and customers, the Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy and the general public," said Karen M. Czarnecki, acting assistant secretary of labor for ODEP. "Hiring, retaining and advancing employees with disabilities is just good business. ODEP and CVS Caremark will share information, guidance and resources that will help to develop model programs for other employers, particularly in the retail and pharmacy services industries."

CVS Caremark, headquartered in Woonsocket, R.I., employs about 190,000 people and has 6,200 retail and specialty pharmacies, 11 mail service pharmacies and 14 call center locations nationwide.

Through the two-year alliance, ODEP and CVS Caremark jointly will distribute training and education materials to, as well as share effective disability employment practices with, the company's human resources leaders. They will collaborate to identify technical assistance resources in providing workplace accommodations. The two organizations also will disseminate information in a variety of ways to promote a national dialogue on disability employment issues.

The alliance agreement was signed this afternoon by Czarnecki and Steve Wing, director of government programs for CVS Caremark, at the Labor Department's headquarters in Washington, D.C. A photo is available upon request. An implementation team representing both organizations will develop a plan of action.

CVS Caremark was a 2006 recipient of the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award for exemplary and innovative efforts in furthering the employment and workplace environment for people with disabilities. As such, the company is a member of ODEP's Circle of Champions, a distinguished group of U.S. employers that works with the agency to help inform disability employment policy by sharing proven business strategies.

ODEP's Alliance Initiative is open to both public and private sector organizations that would like to work with the agency to enhance the recruitment, hiring, employment and advancement of people with disabilities. An Alliance Directive available at www.dol.gov/odep provides guidelines and criteria for Alliance partnerships.

ODEP is leading a 21st century federal response to the historic underemployment of people with disabilities. In collaboration with other government agencies, public and private employers, and additional stakeholders, ODEP facilitates the development and implementation of innovative policies and practices necessary to achieve a fully inclusive workplace. ODEP's work primarily falls into three categories: employers and the workplace; workforce systems; and employment-related supports, which include education and training, health care, reliable transportation, affordable housing and assistive technology.