Technical Assistance

Practical Strategies to Strengthen Workforce Programs and Partnerships

The LEAD Center provides technical assistance (TA) to support state and local workforce development boards, American Job Centers (AJCs), vocational rehabilitation agencies, and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) partner organizations to meet the needs of job seekers with disabilities. The LEAD Center delivers TA in a tiered approach, using subject-matter experts to help workforce professionals address immediate challenges, build staff knowledge, improve coordination across systems, and implement effective job placement strategies for job seekers with disabilities. Whether you’re exploring a new approach or scaling a successful model, LEAD helps connect proven practices to real-world goals.

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Ways We Can Support You

We offer multiple levels of TA to meet your needs. Explore the options below to find the level of support that’s right for you.

UNIVERSAL Technical Assistance

Explore & Engage

For teams seeking foundational tools, promising practices, and strategies for early adoption of policies. Universal TA is freely available and accessible online (no formal agreement needed) and includes:

  • Tip sheets on AJC accessibility, digital accessibility, and program design
  • Webinars on employment strategies, disability disclosure, and mental health
  • Resources on financial empowerment and work incentives
  • Briefs and guides on integrated service delivery and staff development practices

TARGETED Technical Assistance

Collaborate & Build

For teams ready to improve a specific practice, apply strategies, or build toward policy integration. Targeted TA requires a TA request and a signed TA agreement outlining roles, responsibilities, and outcomes. Targeted TA typically lasts two to four months and includes:

  • Peer learning on blending, braiding, and sequencing of funding
  • Coaching on employer engagement and mental health-friendly workplaces
  • Planning sessions for integrating financial literacy into workforce curricula
  • Workshops on disability disclosure, universal design, and DSP workforce strategies

INTENSIVE Technical Assistance

Transform & Sustain

For agencies and collaboratives pursuing systems change and long-term sustainability. Intensive TA requires a formal TA request, a signed agreement, and leadership commitment. Intensive TA involves a codesigned scope of work and includes:

  • Action planning and implementation support to achieve milestones
  • Facilitation of interagency collaboratives to improve accessibility and service integration
  • Data-informed planning to enhance coordination, performance, and policy development
  • Knowledge building and change management strategies to support job quality and career pathways

Areas of Expertise

Whether you’re exploring new ideas or scaling a proven model to increase employment for people with disabilities, the LEAD Center can help strengthen your workforce strategies. This document summarizes our areas of expertise. The LEAD Center’s technical assistance (TA) and subject-matter experts are available to workforce boards, American Job Centers (AJCs), vocational rehabilitation agencies, and their partners. Depending on the scope of your needs, we may require a formal TA request and signed agreement to partner with you.

The LEAD Center supports state and local systems in strengthening coordination across workforce, education, and disability systems. Our TA helps align employment strategies, expand access to supportive services, and improve physical and programmatic accessibility within AJCs. Areas of expertise include: AJC accessibility, one-stop certifications, and program design Strategic partnerships for cross-agency referral and collaboration Cross-system planning tools, including integrated resource teams and service integration continuums Resource mapping (e.g., employment, financial literacy, benefits, and supportive services) Application of blending, braiding, and sequencing of funding/resources Expansion of access to financial education through community and banking partnerships
Through strategic planning and TA, the LEAD Center increases the capacity of workforce and education partners to build and scale career pathways that support adults with disabilities and advance their careers. Areas of expertise include: Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs Career pathway development for direct support professionals (DSPs) Employer engagement and customized training strategies Technology solutions and credential-based training Medicaid partnership models to strengthen service delivery and workforce participation Strategies for supporting individuals exiting the justice system and people in recovery

The LEAD Center provides TA to expand workforce system capacity through evidence-based training and support strategies that promote staff confidence, communication, and readiness.

Areas of expertise include:

  • Adult-learning strategies for staff training and service delivery
  • Universal design in programs and training
  • Disability etiquette and effective communication
  • Change management strategies and effective ways to put new ideas into practice
  • Mental and behavioral health considerations in service delivery
  • Voluntary disability disclosure and reasonable accommodations
  • Financial literacy training strategies for Direct Support Professionals and program

The LEAD Center helps workforce systems use data to guide decisions, improve outcomes, and institute effective strategies. Our TA supports program design, evaluation planning, and performance improvement.

Areas of expertise include:

  • Data-informed decision-making and gap analysis
  • Evaluation frameworks for continuous improvement
  • Workforce-focused data visualization and analysis
  • Analysis of state policy and practice related to service coordination and career pathways
  • Measurement of the impact of financial empowerment initiatives on workforce participation
  • Curriculum development tied to evaluation outcomes

What to Expect

Here’s how the technical assistance process typically works, from request to delivery.

STEP 1
TA Request

STEP 2
Intake Call

STEP 3
Agreement*

STEP 4
Delivery

*Depending on the scope of your needs, we may require a formal TA request and signed agreement to partner with you.

 

Which Option Is Right for You?

Are you looking for resources to raise awareness or support early planning?

→ Start with Universal Technical Assistance

Do you need help applying a strategy or improving a specific practice?

→ Choose Targeted Technical Assistance

Are you part of a cross-agency initiative seeking long-term change?

→ Consider Intensive Technical Assistance

 

Still Not Sure?

Submit a TA request and we’ll help assess your needs.

SUBMIT A REQUEST