Equitable Transition Models Demonstration Grants (ETM) project

Background
The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA), is responsible for the grant award process for the Office of Disability Employment Policy. The primary goals of the ETM Demonstration Grants are to improve the employment outcomes of multiply marginalized people with disabilities, specifically youth and young adults with disabilities (Y&YAD), as well as to increase states’ capacity to develop innovative employment strategies for underserved Y&YAD and their families.

Grant Details
The ETM Demonstration Grants will support up to four grantees in developing scalable strategies to enable multiply marginalized Y&YAD ages 14 to 24 to successfully transition into the workforce. Applicants may focus on low-income Y&YAD as well as those experiencing homelessness, leaving foster care, or involved in the justice system.

The first 12 months of the ETM Demonstration Grants will consist of planning and start-up activities, including the launch of small-scale pilot demonstrations. During the remaining four years of the project, grantees will expand the pilot demonstrations to full scale. The grants will also build upon the principles forming the Guideposts for Success framework.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include state governments and Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized). The lead applicant must partner with a number of state-level partners (referred to below as the “ETM Leadership Team”) to establish a consortium, which will provide project leadership to meet demonstration model program objectives and drive better integration of services at the local level.

Period of Performance
The period of performance is 60 months with an anticipated start date of 11/17/2023. The initial award will have a 12-month period of performance for planning and pilot activities. A second award with a four-year period of performance is anticipated to be awarded in FY 2025, for full scale project implementation.

Grant Value
The Department anticipates each selected awardee will receive a total award of approximately $17,412,500 during the five-year period of performance, with FY 2024 funding limited to $3,246,250, and annual increments of no more than $4,500,000 in the following three years, and up to $666,250 in the fifth year of funding.