News Release
February 2, 2005
Contact: James A. Rothrock, DRS Commissioner
Phone: 804-662-7010
Email: james.rothrock@drs.virginia.gov
Web: www.vadrs.org
VIRGINIA RECEIVES ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO MAINTAIN ACCESSIBILITY AT
ONE-STOP CENTERS
Richmond, VA -- James A. Rothrock, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) and Rosalyn Key, Director of the Capital Area Workforce Investment Board (CAWIB) announce that Virginia received another two-year grant in the amount of $598,660, to expand efforts in providing customers with disabilities equal access to services and resources at Virginia's One-Stop Centers, known as Virginia's Workforce Centers. The Capital Area Workforce Investment Board, which will be administering the grant, was one of 25 nationwide recipients of Work Incentive Grants designed to help increase the accessibility of facilities, programs, and services offered at Centers across the nation.
"These additional funds will allow us to extend the impact of several initiatives that began under a prior Work Incentive Grant to raise disability-standards at these Centers," says Rosalyn Key, CAWIB Director. "Much has been done, but our work is far from over."
CAWIB leads a consortium of local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBs) on initiatives aimed at increasing program and site accessibility, as well as technical assistance for other LWIBs in the state. LWIBs receiving direct services from the grant and CAWIB include: the Richmond City Workforce Investment Board, Greater Peninsula Workforce Investment Board, Crater Regional Workforce Investment Board, Bay Consortium Workforce Investment Board, Hampton Roads Workforce Investment Board, Northern Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board, Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board, Workforce Today, Alexandria/Arlington Workforce Investment Board, and the Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board.
"We are excited to continue our partnership with CAWIB on programs that will have statewide impact for job seekers with disabilities," said DRS Commissioner James Rothrock. "Anything we can do to make an employment connection possible for people with disabilities will enhance career opportunities for this skilled and talented workforce."
As a major partner, DRS has been instrumental in training staff on disability awareness and accessibility issues, as well as providing technical assistance at the Centers. Under the new grant, DRS will be overseeing the implementation of special staff assistants, called "Navigators," to guide customers with disabilities through the system and focus on individual needs such as transportation assistance, housing assistance, access to assistive technology, and healthcare coverage. The grant also continues the process of integrating the Workforce Networks program, a business outreach program developed by DRS, within the Centers. The Workforce Network program not only provides employers direct access to diverse applicant pools and community resources, but also offers a means for business and workforce development professionals to meet on a monthly basis and exchange information, referrals, and contacts. This program is one of several collaborations between the Department of Rehabilitative Services and the Virginia Workforce Network (One-Stop) System.
Background:
The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services is the state agency that helps persons with disabilities find, enter, and maintain employment. For more information, please visit www.vadrs.org or call 1-800-552-5019 (Voice) or 1-800-464-9950 (TTY).
The Capital Area Workforce Investment Board is an organization designated by the Virginia Workforce Council as the official workforce development organization for the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, and Powhatan. The Board is charged with crafting and overseeing a workforce development system that meets the current and future needs of employers and those seeking employment. For more information, please visit http://www.co.henrico.va.us/cawib/.
