DISABILITY  INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE

GRANTEE:                          Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire, Workforce

Development Division

ADDRESS:                            651 Yolanda Avenue

Santa Rosa CA 95404-6324

POPULATION SERVED: This project will serve 100 participants between the ages of 18 and 65; 24 of whom are expected to be SSI/SSDI eligible, and 12 of whom are expected to be dislocated workers.  The project expects that 16 participants will be minorities.  The Job Link One-Stop system is accessible to individuals with disabilities, with features including signs in Braille, an outstationed counselor from the Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency, and special modifications in the Job Link computer lab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: The Disability Information Technology Initiative will provide specialized IT training and employment services to persons with disabilities.  This program will build upon two existing programs in Sonoma County, Jobs For All and H-1B.  Jobs For All is a disability-focused employment program; H-1B is a Department of Labor grant targeted towards filling gaps in technology industries.  The DITI grant will provide the missing link to bridge disability services with high-tech industry training.

KEY PARTICIPANTS: Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire (GIRE) is the lead agency for this project.   GIRE and The Employment Group (TEG), a consortium of four nonprofit organizations, will work together with Sonoma County’s One Stop Center (Job Link) in implementing this initiative.  Key consortium members include: Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board and the North Bay Technology Roundtable (acting as project advisors); Empire College (providing IT training and access to certification); Sonoma County Human Services Department (referring and providing support to participants, including training funds, mental health and substance abuse counseling services, and services for participants with learning disabilities); Lewis Adult Education Center (training opportunities); and Santa Rosa Junior College (the Technology Academy offers skills training to entry-level clients).

MEDIA CONTACT:             Robert Eickmeier, VP Workforce Development

                                                651 Yolanda Avenue Santa Rosa CA 95404-6324

                                                (707) 523-0550 ext. 205

Fax: (707) 523-0552

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