WASHINGTON - The U. S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $2.4 in grants and a cooperative agreement, aimed at augmenting technical assistance and training as well as developing demonstration projects to integrate Americans with disabilities into the workforce. The grants will be administered by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).

In announcing the availability of funds, Secretary Elaine L. Chao said, "These grants will test new and innovative approaches that will help integrate people with disabilities into the 21st century workforce. Every American with disabilities should have the access to opportunities for full and productive employment."

The department has available $1 million to award one competitive grant to support the implementation and evaluation of three telework/telecommuting pilot demonstration projects involving DOL and two other federal agencies. These pilot projects will evaluate the extent to which various home-based telework/telecommuting arrangements can enhance the employment of people with disabilities. Another $300,000 will be available for three to five grants to community and faith-based organizations to implement model employment programs that will develop new, or enhance existing, employment training and/or services for people with significant disabilities. Also, an additional $500,000 will be available to fund two to five competitive grants to further expand the integration of the High School/High Tech program into the One-Stop Center System.

There will also be one cooperative agreement, totaling $600,000, to fund technical assistance and training for providers who currently operate programs that utilize the "special minimum wage" program established under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Complete information about each grant solicitation, including entities eligible to apply, the application process, application form and deadlines, can be found in the July 22 and August 5 notices of the Federal Register. Information is also available on the ODEP website (www.dol.gov/odep).