The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) is announcing the availability of approximately $2,000,000 in grant funds authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103) for the operation of the Leadership for the Employment and Economic
credit:
Advancement of People with Disabilities Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Policy Development Center (LEAD WIOA PDC).
The entity selected to operate the LEAD WIOA PDC will continue and build upon the work of the existing LEAD WIOA PDC, called the LEAD Center, to work across the full range of workforce systems to develop policies and provide technical expertise that increases competitive integrated employment (CIE) services, opportunities, and outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
The LEAD WIOA PDC will focus its work across three priorities related to WIOA:
advancing economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities, creating career pathways to CIE as defined in WIOA, and improving data reporting on disability through WIOA programs.
The Department expects to award a total of approximately $8 million for one cooperative agreement, to be provided in annual increments of approximately $2 million during a four-year period of performance.
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits applications for the full four years of funding; however, applicants must submit budget documents requesting no more than $2 million for the first year of operation.