The JobQuest website is provided by the Department of Career Services to help match job seekers with employers who are hiring. JobQuest is available at no cost for both the Job Seeker and Employer.

Job Seekers can:

• Search for job openings at our Job Bank
• Match their skills against current job openings and receive daily updates of jobs that match their qualifications (login required)
• Allow employers to view their resume (login required)
• Check out Activities and Workshops at Mass One-Stop Career Centers
• Search for Training Programs approved for: ITA (Individual Training Account), Section 30, or Trade

Employers can:

• Post Job Openings (login required)
• Find Candidates - Review resumes of qualified job seekers
• Check out Activities and Workshops at Massachusetts One-Stop Career Centers(sample topics include: employment law, labor market information, hiring trends)

Contact: Sheila Burke
Call: 617-626-6442

Prior to bringing foreign workers into the U.S., an employer must file a labor certification application. In connection with filing the labor certification application, the employer must offer and pay wages that are no less than the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment, and to initiate a work search to recruit qualified U.S. workers to the job opening. The employer can reject U.S. applicants only for job-related reasons. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issues determinations for certification or denial of employers' applications.

• Permanent (PERM) applications are filed only with the U.S. Department of Labor.
• Temporary or Seasonal worker applications are filed with the U.S. Department of Labor, Chicago National Processing Center.

The DOL has centralized the processing of temporary program applications in the Chicago National Processing Center (NPC). Employers filing temporary applications must submit their applications to the Chicago NPC at the address listed below, effective the dates outlined below:

Regulations for H2B (non-agricultural)
    Temporary Labor Certifications: Effective January 18, 2009

Regulations for H2A (agricultural)
   Temporary Labor Certifications: Effective January 18, 2009

Full implementation of H2A (Agricultural)
    Temporary Labor Certifications: Effective July 1, 2009

Click here http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/ for more information and filing instructions.

Questions regarding the programs can be directed to:

In connection with the filing of all labor certification applications, the state is required to determine the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment.

For purposes of foreign labor certification, a prevailing wage is defined as the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in the requested occupation in the area of intended employment. Agricultural Foreign Labor Certification: Agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of U.S. workers may file an application requesting temporary foreign agricultural labor certification.

Among other conditions that need to be satisfied the employers are required to pay the highest of Federal/State minimum wage, Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AWER) or the Prevailing Wage Rate. In order to establish the prevailing wage rate surveys must be conducted for each agricultural crop activity in which certification is sought.

Non-Agricultural Foreign Labor Certification: Prevailing wages are established by the U.S. Department of Labor and published on their web site. Wage determinations are made by the DCS Foreign Labor Certification Unit using Form 2418, Prevailing Wage Request Form.

Click here to go to the Online Wage Library Web site

Contact: John Lalumiere
Call: 617-626-5333

Prior to bringing foreign workers into the U.S., an employer must file a labor certification application. In connection with filing the labor certification application, the employer must offer and pay wages that are no less than the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment, and to initiate a work search to recruit qualified U.S. workers to the job opening. The employer can reject U.S. applicants only for job-related reasons. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issues determinations for certification or denial of employers' applications.

• Permanent (PERM) applications are filed only with the U.S. Department of Labor.
• Temporary or Seasonal worker applications are filed with the U.S. Department of Labor, Chicago National Processing Center.

The DOL has centralized the processing of temporary program applications in the Chicago National Processing Center (NPC). Employers filing temporary applications must submit their applications to the Chicago NPC at the address listed below, effective the dates outlined below:

Click here http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/ for more information and filing instructions.

Questions regarding the programs can be directed to:

In connection with the filing of all labor certification applications, the state is required to determine the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment.

For purposes of foreign labor certification, a prevailing wage is defined as the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in the requested occupation in the area of intended employment. Agricultural Foreign Labor Certification: Agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of U.S. workers may file an application requesting temporary foreign agricultural labor certification.

Among other conditions that need to be satisfied the employers are required to pay the highest of Federal/State minimum wage, Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AWER) or the Prevailing Wage Rate. In order to establish the prevailing wage rate surveys must be conducted for each agricultural crop activity in which certification is sought.

Non-Agricultural Foreign Labor Certification: Prevailing wages are established by the U.S. Department of Labor and published on their web site. Wage determinations are made by the DCS Foreign Labor Certification Unit using Form 2418, Prevailing Wage Request Form.

Click here to go to the Online Wage Library Web site

Contact: John Lalumiere
Call: 617-626-5333

To better serve our customer needs, DCS has designed and implemented an e-mail process for requesting, receiving and issuing prevailing wage determinations. Please follow the instructions in the files listed below:

For more information, please contact John Lalumiere at 617-626-5333 or Email at JLalumiere@detma.org.

This program has been designed to strengthen the role of the workforce development system to effectively connect workers to employers and to improve services to permanently separated unemployment assistance claimants. The program includes the following elements:

• All permanently separated claimants are now being identified under a statewide profiling system.
• A new, mandatory Career Center Seminar (CCS) has been developed for permanently separated claimants.
• Permanently separated claimants are sent a letter requiring them to schedule and attend a Career Center Seminar when they receive their first UI check.
• An Automated Career Center Seminar Scheduling System has been implemented for claimants to schedule their seminar. The UI and MOSES Systems have also been integrated for this purpose. Ten UI Call Center Agents have been designated to answer calls from claimants who are unable to use the automated telephone scheduling system or need to speak with an Agent. These Agents are located in the Boston and Brockton Call Centers and are able to schedule, reschedule, or exempt claimants directly into the MOSES System. Claimants may also call a Career Center directly.
• A one-week disqualification of unemployment benefits occurs for any permanently separated claimant who fails to schedule and attend the mandatory seminar within the allowable 3 week window.
• Any claimant who attends a Career Center Seminar but does not return for at least one additional service at any Career Center within a six-week period following attendance is sent a marketing letter encouraging them to return to a Career Center for assistance with their job search. If that claimant has not returned to a Career Center because he/she has found a job, the marketing letter includes a Return to Work form which the claimant can send in so that we can enter their placement information.

For more information, please contact Alice Sweeney at 617-626-6449 or Email at asweeney@detma.org.

The (Navigator) Initiative is a two year demonstration project which is jointly funded by the Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration. Massachusetts is 1 of 14 pilot states for this DOL/SSA initiative. The program funds 15 Disability Program Navigator positions statewide and is designed to help disabled jobseekers enter into the One-Stop Career Center system. The Disability Program Navigators also provide support to the Career Center staff on by providing ADA education and ensuring equal access through the section 188 of the WIA.

Navigators are responsible to provide seamless and comprehensive services to persons with disabilities in One-Stop Career Centers. Listed below are the primary responsibilities of the Navigator's:

• Provide education and training to one-stop career center staff on disability programs, linkages and etiquette.
• Serve as a resource to the workforce investment community to ensure the availability of comprehensive knowledge concerning Federal, State, local and private programs that affect the ability of persons with disabilities to enter and remain in the workforce.
• Serve as a resource on SSA's work incentive and employment support programs and the provision of services through Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach organizations (BPAOs); through Protection and Advocacy systems (P&As); and SSA's employment-related demonstration projects.
• Increase employment and self-sufficiency for Social Security beneficiaries and others with disabilities.
• Facilitate access to programs and services.
• Facilitate linkages to the employer community.
• Facilitate the transition of in- or out-of-school youth with disabilities to secure employment and economic self-sufficiency.
• Conduct outreach to agencies and organizations that serve individuals with disabilities.
• Expanded partner relationships (public) with:
• Mental Health Programs
• Mental Retardation / Developmental Disability Programs
• Independent Living Centers
• Medicaid
• BPAO
• Housing
• Transportation
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Other Mandated One-Stop Partners
• Expanded relationships with employers

For more information, please contact Lisa Matrundola at 617 626-5283 or Email at LMatrundola@detma.org.

The Employment Service program is designed to provide job seekers assistance in finding employment, as well as access to other career services within the One Stop Career Centers.

For more information, please contact Alice Sweeney at 617-626-6449 or Email at asweeney@detma.org.

Career Center Passwords

For more information, please contact Donna DeLena at 617-626-5735 or 617-626-5718, e-mail at DDeLena@detma.org

The Massachusetts Career Information System (MassCIS) is the Commonwealth's career information delivery system (CIDS). The Division of Career Services (DCS) provides MassCIS free on-line to all Massachusetts residents.

MassCIS is an Internet-based interactive system that combines a wealth of occupational, labor market, and educational information into one comprehensive, easy-to-use- career exploration tool. MassCIS is designed to be an invaluable tool for career and school counselors, job seekers, students and educators.

Our aim is to help Bay Staters become aware of work and educational options, connect education and work, and make successful career decisions and transitions throughout their lives.

Our URL is www.masscis.intocareers.org. The DCS pays a license fee to the University of Oregon to use MassCIS; which means that we must use a simple registration procedure to try to limit its use to Massachusetts residents. To access MassCIS, Career Center personnel and your clients should use the Career Center User Name and Password. If you have set up a portfolio, enter your user name and password. Other users need just to match your city or town to the correct Zip code, and select the user category that best describes you.

National Emergency Grants (NEG) are federal grants, which provide funds to assist workers affected by major economic dislocations such as workforce reductions and company closings. The grants are written for specific industries, companies or clusters of companies that are closing or implementing downsizing initiatives of significant proportion.

NEG services are designed to provide timely, targeted, innovative approaches in response to significant dislocation events. NEG programs, in unison with the One-Stop Career Center System and partner agencies work with local business communities to help meet the needs of businesses by assisting workers to develop the skills required by specific employers, occupations and industries.

Who is eligible?
National Emergency Grants (NEG) benefit dislocated workers who have lost their jobs due to layoff or company closure. NEG customers are employees of the companies named in the specific grant who have been laid off or who have received notice of impending layoff. Information about NEG projects in operation and the companies that they serve is available at all One Stop Career Centers in Massachusetts.

What does the program offer?
NEGs provide creative, customer-oriented programs and services designed to help dislocated workers successfully transition to new employment and in some cases new careers. Services are tailored to the individual, and may include assessment, career counseling, basic education (including English for Speakers of Other Languages), occupational training and job search/placement assistance. NEG services are designed to produce high-quality earnings and employment outcomes, including career ladder employment for NEG customers. In order to achieve these outcomes some dislocated workers may need occupational training to supplement or supplant skills that are associated with declining occupations/industries. For these customers, training programs are available at no cost through the Massachusetts Individual Training Account program.

How to apply?
Individuals who have lost their jobs due layoff or company closing should inquire about the availability of NEG services at any local One-Stop Career Center.

Other information
Massachusetts operates a statewide vouchering component; therefore employees from the NEG subject companies who reside in areas of the state apart from the location of the NEG Operator may receive NEG funded services from any One-Stop Career Center in Massachusetts.

For more information, please contact Beth Goguen at 617-626-6053 or Email at bgoguen@detma.org.

What is Rapid Response?
Rapid Response is a federally mandated pre-layoff service designed for companies and employees experiencing a layoff or closing. The Massachusetts Rapid Response Team is a business service of the Department of Career Services.

Who is eligible?
Anyone who has lost their job through no fault of their own as a result of a company closing or a substantial downsizing.

Meet and Plan with Your Company
When the Rapid Response team becomes aware of a layoff or closing, we contact company officials to arrange a meeting to establish a good working relationship to inform you of the available services, and to plan for implementation of those services at your organization.

Re-employment Services Available

• Information on One-Stop Career Centers
• Information of Unemployment Insurance Benefits
• Resume Workshops
• Interview Workshops
• Job Search Workshops
• Individual Career Counseling
• Job Development

Rapid Response On-Site Service Assistance
When possible, Rapid Response will work with you and your company to provide high quality, professional re-employment services on-site before the job loss occurs. Receiving these services before you are laid off will help prepare you for this transition.

Referral and Support
Before you leave your company, Rapid Response will provide you with options for post layoff services and will refer you to a One-Stop Career Center of your choice.

One-Stop Career Centers
The Massachusetts One-Stop Career Centers provide you the support you need throughout your transition from unemployment to new employment. The Center staff will help you with your search needs. They will assess your marketability and may assistance for you to attend training at a private, community or public school or college. In addition, the Center�s have resource rooms equipped with computers, telephones, copy and fax machines and more.

For more information, please contact Ken Messina at 617-626-5703 or Email at KMessina@detma.org.

The Massachusetts Department of Career Services (DCS) Reentry unit is well positioned to coordinate job placement, job training and employer services for prisoners. This unit will help provide soon-to-be-released prisoners an opportunity to be successful in reentering society by assisting in finding and maintaining employment. Positive work is already being done at the local Sheriff's department as well as at State Corrections. We are coordinating efforts and embellishing on the work that is currently being done. We strive to partner with all stakeholders in this effort.

• Educate employers and correctional staff on resources such as the Tax Opportunity Tax Credit in order to market this group of people.
• Drafting a career ladder plan for prisoners that could begin while prisoners are incarcerated and follow them to employment (Career).
• Working closely with the Division of Apprentice Training.
• Work with staff to estimate areas of labor shortages and begin to train prisoners to fill those needs.
• Offer Federal Bonds to employers that will hire ex-offenders.
  For more information click www.bonds4jobs.com.

Helping Offenders to Work: Job Development Tools discusses specific programs that job developers can use to help encourage employers to hire offenders or individuals that may have CORI issues. This includes Federal Bonding, The Work Opportunity Tax Credit, The Hiring Incentive Training Grant, Apprentice Training as well as how to utilize One Stop Career Centers.

For more information, please contact David F. Sullivan at 617 626-5733 or Email at DSullivan@detma.org.

Food Stamp Employment and Training offers Skills Training and Job Search assistance at no cost.

The Skill Start program provides short-term occupational skill training and job search services to individuals who have been determined eligible for Food Stamps by the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and referred to the Department of Career Services.

To be eligible for Skill Start services an individual must be newly enrolled in the Food Stamp Program by DTA and ineligible for other public assistance.

Occupational skill training provided by qualified vendors must meet the following criteria to be approved for the Skill Start program:

• The total cost of training, including tuition, books, materials, supplies, and any associated license/certification fees, must not exceed $1,500.00 per trainee.
• Each training course must be completed within 6 weeks (42 calendar days, or less).
• Approved Skill Start training courses of lesser cost and length may be combined as long as the total cost per trainee does not exceed the $1,500.00 limit and the total length of training is not more than 6 weeks (42 calendar days).

Skill Start provides a $35.00 stipend at the successful completion of training. A second $35.00 stipend is awarded after the completion of five job interviews or entry into employment, which ever comes first. These payments are made to offset the costs incurred in travel to the training and job search activities.

Not sure if you qualify? Talk to your DTA Food Stamp Worker or locate a One Stop Career Center near you or call 617 626-5300.

For more information, please contact Beth Goguen at 617-626-6053 or Email at bgoguen@detma.org.

Within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the Division of Career Services (DCS) and the Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), share the administration of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act.

The Trade Act of 1974 created a program of Trade Adjustment Assistance (called TAA) to help individuals who become unemployed as a result of increased foreign competition to return to suitable employment.

This law was amended in 1993 to contain special provisions for workers of companies adversely affected by competition from Canada or Mexico, NAFTA/TAA (NAFTA). It was again amended in 2002 with the creation of the Trade Reform Act of 2002. This law repealed the NAFTA Program, however, created Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance services and benefits (ATAA) and the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC).

Trade services and allowances may include Employment Counseling, Vocational Testing, Job Placement, Supportive Services, Paid Retraining Programs, Job Search Allowances, Relocation Allowances, and Weekly Subsistence Benefit Payments, ATAA and HCTC.

For more information, please contact Beth Goguen at 617-626-6053 or Email at BGoguen@detma.org.

In accordance with the Jobs for Veterans Act (JFVA), each state receives a grant from U.S. DOL for a Veterans' Program to provide employment, training and placement services for veterans. This grant enables us to fund the positions of Local Veteran's Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) in our One Stop Career Centers to provide these services. Due to the limitations of the funding we are unable to provide a DVOP and LVER in every center. However, there is at least one veteran's representative in each Career Center and 7 of our offices have both positions.

Specifically, these staff members are charged with providing and/or facilitating outreach, intensive and labor exchange services to veterans. Since veterans are given priority of service status under the law, it is particularly important for our LVERs and DVOPs to be connected with all veterans coming into the Career Centers but also for them to have up to date information about all of the programs and services available to assist veterans at the Federal, State and Local level.

Outreach efforts include our involvement with the Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) designed to ease the transition of military personnel into civilian life. TAP workshops are facilitated regularly by our staff at Hanscom AFB in Bedford, Fort Devons in Acton and the U.S. Coast Guard Base in Boston.

Providing maximum job and training opportunities for veteran customers is a priority for veteran and non-veteran staff, alike. Workforce development services available through the Massachusetts One Stop Career Center system include (but are not limited to):

• Assessment
• Career information/counseling
• Workshops covering a variety of job search techniques and strategies including effective job search, resume preparation, interviewing techniques, dressing for success, job readiness, and others
• Access to job listings in a variety of media, including the internet
• Job development
• On-site employer recruitment
• Labor market statistics and information
• Industry briefings to learn what skills, occupations and experience are in demand, locally
• Skill training information and referral
• Support service referral
• On-site "Basic Computer Skills" workshops
• Job Fair schedules and information
• Resource Libraries
• On site computers with internet access, fax, copy machines and telephones for self-directed job search and training exploration activities.

Services are available on a self-directed and staff-assisted basis. Veteran customers have unrestricted and priority access to Career Center resource rooms and equipment.

Additionally, veteran customers who have special barriers (disabilities, homelessness, prison records, etc.) or who are transitioning to civilian life and may be in need of support and/or other related services in order to effectively undertake and participate in the full array of job search and/or training services available through the Career Centers, enabling them to maximize their individual job and training opportunities, can access service information through web links or can receive a direct referral to local service providers with whom we maintain ongoing relationships.

For information regarding programs and services available to veterans through the Career Centers, please contact: Beth Costa , Statewide Veterans Program Coordinator, at 617-626-4121 or Email at bcosta2@detma.org.

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 was implemented as of July 1, 2000. It was developed to redesign the nation's workforce system, to create a new comprehensive system streamlining multiple employment and training programs into an integrated One-Stop Career Center system, and simplifying access to services for job seekers and employers. The Adult and Dislocated Worker Program, under Title I of WIA is designed to provide quality employment and training services to assist eligible individuals in finding and qualifying for meaningful employment, and to help employers find the skilled workers they need to compete and succeed in business.

The services are provided through One-Stop Career Centers. A significant level of employment-related services for job seekers and employers are available at the Commonwealth's network of One-Stop Career Centers. There are various levels of service available to job seekers, some of which have corresponding eligibility requirements. The first level is Core Services. Core Services includes outreach, job search assistance, placement assistance, various group workshops, and labor market information. Core Services are available to all job seekers including those who are currently employed. There are no eligibility requirements pertaining to the receipt of Core Services.

Intensive Services is the next level of services under WIA, and includes comprehensive assessments, development of individual employment plans, one-on-one counseling, career planning, and a variety of specialized services and specialized workshops. Training services are one type of Intensive Services and may include remedial training such as ESOL and GED, basic skills training, and/or Occupational Retraining. Eligible Job Seekers utilize an Individual Training Account (ITA) to select and appropriate training vendor from a qualified training provider. Intensive services are only available to eligible job seekers.

The target population for WIA Title I are Adults and Dislocated Workers. The eligibility requirements to qualify as a WIA Adult include the following: the Job Seeker must be 18 years of age and older, and be subject to compliance with citizenship and or resident alien requirements, and selective service requirements. Priority for intensive services is given to low income adults as defined by each of the 16 Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs). The eligibility requirements to quality as a Dislocated Worker include the following: the Job Seeker must be terminated, laid off, or have received a notice of termination from his/her employer; is eligible for or has exhausted unemployment insurance; was self-employed (including employment as a farmer, rancher, or fisherman), or is a displaced homemaker who is no longer supported by another family member.

These Core and Intensive Services are available at the Commonwealth's network of One-Stop Career Center. There are 32 One-Stop Career Centers located throughout Massachusetts in every major city, with satellite locations in other locations. In addition to the Core and Intensive Services, all One-Stop Centers have available resources including PCs, internet access for job search purposes, fax machines, reference materials, resume development software and economic data. Most One-Stop Career Centers have Unemployment Insurance walk in services available and some offer training in basic skills such as introduction or computers and/or word processing.

Some One-Stop Career Centers may have additional supportive services such as transportation, childcare, or referral to services available under certain circumstances to allow eligible individuals to participate in the programs.

All One-Stop Career Centers have orientation seminars that provide specifics about the services and resources available within that local area and corresponding eligibility requirements; including other Federal and State programs in addition to WIA Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker.

For more information, please contact Alice Sweeney at 617-626-6449 or Email at asweeney@detma.org.

How tax credits work
If you are a "for-profit" employer in Massachusetts, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program. There are nine targeted groups. Individuals must be identified as members of one of these targeted groups before a job offer is made.

The first step is pre-screening to determine eligibility. The jobseeker or the employer must complete the following forms:

• Individual Characteristics Form Work Opportunity and Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit ETA 9061
• Certification Welfare Opportunity and Welfare-to-Work Tax Credits 9062
• Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request for Welfare Opportunity and Welfare-to-Work Credits Form 8850 . Instructions for completing Form 8850 are provided.

The employer and the jobseeker must sign the Form 8850, under penalty of perjury, attesting that the jobseeker is a member of a target group. The employer then sends the forms to the Division of Career Services postmarked no later than the 28th day after the jobseeker begins work.

Mail the Form 8850 with the ETA 9061or 9062 attached to:

For more information, please contact Jack Sprince at 617 626-5730 or Email at JSprince@detma.org

Training Grants: Provides matching grants, ranging from $2,000 to $250,000 (under some circumstances up to $1 million) to employers, employer groups and labor organization. Grants are for customized training to achieve outcomes as determined by the applicant. The duration of grant is up to two years.

Technical Assistance Grants: Provides matching grants up to $25,000 to employers to secure outside assistance to identify training needs, develop a training plan or curriculum or other training-related activities.

How it Works: Employers must submit an application on or before one of three application deadlines. Deadlines are usually in July, November and March. Applications include a paper application and company financials for the most recent two-year period. Applications are reviewed by staff teams and recommended to the WTF Advisory Panel for a final decision. Decisions are made approximately 60 days from the application deadline. If funded, grant recipients receive an initial start-up payment of 25% of the grant funds with three remaining progress payments. Recipients are required to maintain and submit documentation that is sufficient to determine that the training is being conducted as approved.

Advantages:

• Applicants are able to design and develop training based on specific, local company need. With few exceptions, all job-related training and all employees are eligible under the WTF grant.
• Applicants may select a training provider or providers of their own choosing, including internal staff who have the knowledge and expertise to deliver training to company employees.
• All goals, objectives and outcomes are of the applicant?s choosing.
• Applicants can meet match requirement through in-kind contribution, as well as cash match.
• Eligibility: All employers who contribute to the Workforce Training Fund through their participation in the Commonwealth's Unemployment Insurance program through the Division of Unemployment Assistance are eligible to apply for a WTF grant.

Additional Information: Grant recipients must be up to date with their payments to Unemployment Insurance and must provide a certified copy of a certificate in good standing from the Department of Revenue prior to the receipt grant funds.

For more information, please contact Cheryl Scott at 617-626-6107 or Email at cscott@detma.org.

The Youth with Disabilities program is a five-year demonstration grant that focuses on services for youth with disabilities as they transition from school to work. This program involves the mandated and non-mandated partners of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI). Building upon its commitment from disability agencies statewide, the Massachusetts Youth Partnership Team (MYPT) is developing a new cross-agency, state-level council representing organizations that serve youth between the ages of 14 and 24, as well as youth with disabilities and family members. This grant will fund 8 demonstration sites across the state.

Some of the primary objectives of this grant are:

• For MYPT to improve outcomes for youth with disabilities by developing resource mapping and strategic planning activities that promote working collectively on the employment service to youth with disabilities. Research mapping activities will be based upon seven transition operating principles (i.e., access to high standards; information on career options; exposure to the world of work; development of social, civic, and leadership skills; connections to caring adults; access to safe places to interact with peers; and support services).
• Resource Mapping will require each Disability Agency to identify existing services and supports related to the seven operating principles.
• Each Disability Agency will identify where duplicative services and gaps exist and develop a cross-agency, multi-year state plan to align services and supports and to identify policies that support or inhibit the alignment.
• The Youth with Disabilities grant will develop a mini-grant process for 8 career centers to become demonstration sites that will implement evidence-based practices, correlated with the 7 transition operating principles, to address identified gaps in services on state and local levels.
• Project activities will leverage existing state and local resources to build a more coordinated and comprehensive transition infrastructure, laying the foundation to continue well beyond the grant period and ensure continuous, improved post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities.
• The MYPT will also provide training activities, including a train-the-trainer approach that will build the capacity of individuals to continue the work within their communities and to facilitate dissemination to additional sites.
• Training will be delivered by ICI and the Disability Partners.

For more information, please contact Lisa Matrundola at 617-626-5283 or Email at LMatrundola@detma.org.