The new National Center on Workforce and Disability [NCWD/Adult] is providing technical assistance support on a nationwide basis to One-Stop Career Centers, state and local Workforce Investment Boards and other key leaders that oversee and operate workforce development systems, to enable them to increase employment outcomes for people with disabilities. The Center is based at the Institute for Community Inclusion, at the University of Massachusetts Boston and funded through the U.S. Department of Labor's (USDOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Features of planned Center activities include:

• Training and technical assistance to USDOL Regional Offices, State and Local Workforce Office Boards, and One-Stop Career Centers on disability policy and practice issues.
  
• Technical assistance to the USDOL Office of Disability and Employment Policy's Customized Employment grantees.
  
• Analysis and recommendations to USDOL on a wide range of disability policy issues.
  
• The availability of information and expertise through the Center's Information-on-Demand service, accessed electronically or through a toll-free number.
  
• Documentation and dissemination of promising practices in One-Stop Career Centers, and on State and Local Workforce Boards that increase employment of people with disabilities.
  
• Development of a wide range of materials for workforce development professionals, the disability community, employers, and policymakers, on enhancing employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
  
• Establishment of a comprehensive web site (www.onestops.info) which will contain a variety of materials and information, including a searchable database on topics concerning workforce development issues for people with disabilities. Currently, the best ICI link to use for One Stop related materials is: http://web1.tch.harvard.edu/ici/onestop/index.html until the dedicated web site is fully staffed and designed.
  
• Creation of greater employer awareness concerning how people with disabilities can form an integral component of the workforce.
  
• Coordination with the national technical assistance center located at the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, D.C., which is charged by USDOL with building the capacity of WIA-assisted youth programs to provide comprehensive services to young people with disabilities.

Center activities are being conducted in partnership with numerous nationally recognized partners and experts on workforce development and disability issues. The Center is also working in partnership with the National Collaborative on Workforce Development/Youth based at the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, D.C. Many activities are still in the planning stages, but announcements concerning the availability of specific Center services will be forthcoming over the next few months. If you would like to learn more about the Center, or would like to be on the Center's mailing list, please contact David Hoff (Boston Office) at 617-355-7486 (voice); 617-355-6956 (TTY); e-mail: david.hoff@tch.harvard.edu or Joe Marrone (NW Office in Portland, OR) 503-331-0687; email: JM61947@AOL.COM.

Organizational Partners and Key Staff List