On the Ground

By using lessons learned from its past research and insights from the Equity Advisors and Dissemination Partners, the LEAD Center team presented at the 2023 National Association of Workforce Development Professionals’ annual conference in May. LEAD shared pilot findings on developing financial career pathways and targeted financial empowerment activities focused on low- and moderate-income individuals from traditionally underserved communities. By modeling DEIA practices, these pilots connected diverse communities of people with disabilities to financial empowerment resources and career pathways with living wages. Additionally, in June, the LEAD Center team traveled to the 2023 APSE national conference to highlight how to support disabled jobseekers to become Direct Support Professionals through customized training and job descriptions and how to partner with the workforce system to create opportunities for employers and jobseekers.