Disability News

$5 Million In Grants For Self-Employment Pilots For People With Disabilities

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is making available up to $5 million to fund pilot projects aimed at increasing self-employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

"People with disabilities have much to offer in the 21st century and are able to contribute more than ever thanks in part to more innovative educational opportunities and technology," said Dr. Roy Grizzard, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "This funding will allow us, in partnership with others, to develop and test strategies and models for successfully increasing self-employment opportunities for people with disabilities."

A national technical assistance and research cooperative agreement award will be funded for up to $1.5 million for a 36 month period of performance. Sub-national research and technical assistance pilot cooperative agreement awards will be funded for a total of up to $3.5 million. Awards may range from $800,000 to $1,200,000.

ODEP'S unique mission is to provide national leadership by developing and influencing disability-related employment policy and practice affecting the employment of people with disabilities. Congress designated these monies to ODEP to further the development of self-employment policy for individuals with disabilities.

Please contact us if you or any qualified individual with a disability you know in Montana has been discriminated against. Do not let anyone get away with violating the ADA.

	Did You Know?
	SHMO means Social Health Maintenance Organization A managed system of health and long-term care services geared toward an elderly client population. Under this model, a single provider entity assumes responsibility for a full range of acute inpatient, ambulatory, rehabilitative, extended home health and personal care services under a fixed budget which is determined prospectively. Elderly people who reside in the target service area are voluntarily enrolled. Once enrolled, individuals are obligated to receive all SHMO covered services through SHMO providers, similar to the operation of a medical model health maintenance organization (HMO).