Team Maryland Announces $13.9 Million in Federal Funds to Support Workforce Development and Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, with Governor Wes Moore and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, and Glenn Ivey, announced $13.9 million in federal funding to support workforce development and postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Administered through the Maryland Department of Disabilities, the funding will help increase access to resources, promote data sharing, and improve employment outcomes.

“Team Maryland continues to drive federal investment in Marylanders' futures. These new funds will bolster the use of evidence-based strategies to engage individuals with disabilities in careers of their choice, enhancing inclusion, economic mobility, and career growth," said members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation Senators Cardin, Van Hollen, and Hoyer; and Congressmen Ruppersberger, Sarbanes, Mfume, Raskin, Trone and Ivey. “One in four Americans has a disability, and these investments will empower those Americans to achieve greater economic independence while supporting our changing economic and workforce needs. This is an important investment in ensuring people with disabilities are able to continue playing a meaningful role in their community." 

“'Leave no one behind' is not just a talking point for us, it's a governing philosophy. Today's action reaffirms Maryland's commitment to building a state where every person is seen and supported," said Gov. Moore. “I want to thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their partnership. Together, we will open paths to work, wages, and wealth for Marylanders; grow our economy; and create an equitable future for all."

The U.S. Department of Education allocated $9.4 million from the Disability Innovation Fund Program to develop a tool that connects students with accessible services, including vocational rehabilitation and long-term support. The tool represents a pioneering data-sharing system that will enable school and state agency personnel—including the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitative Services and the Developmental Disabilities Administration at the Maryland Department of Health—to share information about student applications, eligibility, and services. 

The Maryland Department of Disabilities also received $4.5 million from the Social Security Administration's Interventional Cooperative Agreement Program. The funding will be used to assess the impact of outreach and assistance for children with disabilities who qualify for both Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, in an effort to enhance access to transition services and improve employment outcomes through competitive, integrated employment.  

The two grants begin this month and will continue over five years. 

“Both grants underscore our unwavering commitment to advancing opportunity, access and choice for individuals with disabilities," said Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol A. Beatty. “Allowing them to live a life of their own choosing in their communities.  Everyone can work with the right support and services and jobs are a critical element of independence."

Governor Moore issued a proclamation in support of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, highlighting that people with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be unemployed than their non-disabled peers. By removing barriers to employment, Maryland is putting young people with disabilities on the road to financial independence. 

For more information on the Disability Innovation Fund grant visit ed.gov.?

For more information on the Interventional Cooperative Agreement Program grant visit ssa.gov.