Disability Employment Accelerator – SFP 2019-20

Workforce Services Information Notice
WSIN19-13

Issued: October 30, 2019

The Employment Development Department, in coordination with the California Workforce Development Board and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, announces a Solicitation for Proposals (SFP) for a Disability Employment Accelerator (DEA) program. This SFP makes available $2 million of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I Governor’s Discretionary funds for this program.

The DEA program will focus on creating linkages and engaging businesses in high-growth industries to develop work-based learning programs that ensure People with Disabilities (PWD) obtain and retain competitive, integrated employment. In order to continue to close the employment rate gap between college graduates with disabilities and those without disabilities, this year’s SFP target PWD who are working toward or have obtained a recognized postsecondary credential during the term of the grant. The 2019-20 DEA’s focus is on completion of work-based learning programs which supplements formal education so that the disabled workers can be placed in unsubsidized employment on a career path.

Eligible applicants are Local Workforce Development Areas, education and training providers, private non-profit organizations, private for-profit organizations, and faith and/or communitybased organizations seeking innovative ways to strengthen business partnerships around indemand jobs. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Proposals must be received by Monday, December 2, 2019, no later than 3 p.m. PT. An informational teleconference will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at 9 a.m. PT. For call-in information, please email a request to EDDWSBSFP2@edd.ca.gov by 12 noon on Friday, November 8, 2019. To view this SFP, please visit the EDD Workforce Development Solicitations for Proposals webpage.

/s/JAIME L. GUTIERREZ, Chief
Central Office Workforce Services Division