Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $290,000 for Job Training for Young Adults with Disabilities

Milton – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $290,000 in grant funding for four initiatives across Massachusetts to provide job training, employment placement, and post-placement services for 40 young adults with disabilities. As part of the grants, $77,500 will support planning grants for training providers. 

Today’s announcement of the Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities grants builds on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s strategic investments to attract and develop diverse, skilled talent to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers across industries and statewide. The grant program, funded by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) and administered by Commonwealth Corporation, engages community-based organizations dedicated to training young adults with disabilities. 

Since January 2023, 189 participants have successfully secured employment or received job training through the Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities. Participants have been placed in a wide range of industries, including office administration, cleaning, culinary arts, sales, retail, and grocery tracks. The program also provides essential workforce support to help overcome employment barriers, such as transportation assistance, job coaching, soft skills training, post-placement support, and support with requesting workplace accommodations. 

“There are young adults with disabilities across our state who are talented, driven, and eager to work – and there are employers who want to hire them,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants will help prepare young adults with disabilities for success in the workforce by connecting them with the skills and support needed to get jobs in high-demand industries.” 

“Workforce training programs like the ones we are celebrating today are essential to making sure that every resident, including those with disabilities, has the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “This work is critical not only for the economic prosperity of individuals and families, but also for the long-term strength of our economy and communities.” 

Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones made the announcement at Curry College in Milton. Curry College received $37,500 to conduct program planning and design activities to prepare neurodivergent individuals ages 18–35 for jobs in business administration, finance, accounting, marketing, logistics, and management information systems. 

“These grants will help break down barriers and increase access to employment opportunities while strengthening employment outcomes, fostering inclusivity, and advancing economic opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “We look forward to working with the awarded organizations as they implement these awards.”  

“We are proud to support organizations across Massachusetts as they expand inclusive training opportunities for young adults with disabilities,” said Molly Jacobson, President & CEO of Commonwealth Corporation. “We applaud and thank the teams behind these initiatives for their dedication to equity, innovation, and workforce development. Their efforts are helping build a more accessible future, one where all young people have the support and skills they need to thrive in meaningful careers.” 

Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities: Implementation Grants

The following is a list of two Implementation grant recipients, totaling $212,500 and serving 40 young adults:   

The Arc of Greater Brockton, Brockton: $67,500  

The Arc of Greater Brockton will offer a 12-week Culinary Workforce Development Program to provide job training and placement for 25 young adults (ages 22–35) with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder. The program will offer skill-based training in food service, emphasizing clear routines and structured environments. Participants will earn industry-recognized credentials, including ServSafe and Allergen Safety, gain on-the-job training with employer partners, and build soft skills through coaching and digital learning. Serving Brockton and ten surrounding towns, the program aims to place at least 20 participants in competitive employment within six months in roles such as prep cook, dishwasher, dietary aide, and concessions worker. They will partner with Brockton Rox and Copley at Stoughton. 

Jewish Vocational Service, Boston: $150,000  

The Transitions to Work (TTW) program at Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) will provide job training and placement services for 15 young adults with disabilities in Greater Boston and Greater Brockton. The program prepares participants for meaningful, competitive employment in high-demand sectors such as customer service, retail, and hospitality. Services include career counseling, internships, job placement, and ongoing post-placement support. TTW partners include CVS Health, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, Old Colony YMCA, South Shore Hospital, VA Brockton Medical Center, and the Sodexo-managed food service departments at Boston Children’s Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center—to provide industry-informed training, inclusive workplaces, and clear career pathways for participants.

Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities: Planning Grants

The following is a list of two Program Design Planning grant recipients, totaling $77,500:

Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development, Whitinsville: $40,000 

Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development will conduct program planning and design activities to support young adults ages 18–28 with cognitive disabilities in pursuing career pathways in healthcare and technology. 

Curry College, Milton: $37,500

Curry College will conduct program planning and design activities to prepare neurodivergent individuals ages 18–35 for jobs in business administration, finance, accounting, marketing, logistics, and management information systems.

Statements of Support

Jay Gonzalez, President, Curry College: 

“Curry College is thrilled to partner with the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Secretary Lauren Jones, and the team at the Commonwealth Corporation to prepare young, neurodivergent adults for success in the workforce. With this critical grant funding, our Neurodiversity Center for Excellence will be able to build on Curry’s long history of supporting neurodivergent learners to ensure access to and success in employment for neurodivergent individuals.”

Kira Khazatsky, President & CEO, JVS: 

“Connecting young adults with disabilities to paid employment is critical for successful and sustained participation in the workforce as an adult. We are grateful for this support from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and CommCorp; this consistent funding has allowed us to expand our Transitions to Work services and collaborate with new employer partners. I am thankful to partner with dedicated individuals, organizations, and employers who hold our belief that diverse, inclusive workplaces are the way forward for our economy.

Dean Rizzo, Executive Director, The Arc of Greater Brockton:

“On behalf of The Arc of Greater Brockton I would like to thank Commonwealth Corporation and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for recognizing the value in providing employment and training initiatives to support individuals with disabilities – specifically our new culinary arts program designed to build a skilled workforce to support the region’S food service industry.”

Ashley Bregman, Executive Director, Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development:

“I am so excited about this opportunity because it allows us to create programs mindfully designed for students from a population that has historically been underserved, underemployed, and, honestly, often misunderstood. Neurodivergent individuals bring phenomenally unique talents and skills that can make them truly outstanding employees when matched with the right job, company, and environment. Not to mention, they often demonstrate excellent retention and job loyalty. This planning grant gives us the chance to develop a training program and career pathway that achieves exactly that. By identifying and removing barriers, I believe we can dramatically expand our local talent pool. I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, EOLWD, and Commonwealth Corporation for recognizing this potential and investing in our future.”