Alliance for Expanding America's Workforce

The Alliance for Expanding America’s Workforce (AEAW) congratulates Congressmen Marc Molinaro and Chris Pappas on the passage of the ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act by the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday. The AEAW supports increased access to resources within the Small Business Administration for disabled entrepreneurs. We encourage the Senate to follow the House’s lead and pass legislation to increase access to resources for small disabled-owned businesses and provide more assistance to small businesses to hire people with disabilities. #disabledentrepreneurs #disabledownedbusinesses

AEAW supports efforts to increase access to resources for small business owners to support their employees with disabilities. Check out the information from the Employer Assistance & Resource Network on supporting employees' mental health within the skilled trades and among industrial professionals. #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityEmployment

AEAW applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Entreprenuers with Disabilities Reporting Act of 2024. More needs to be done to support disabled entrepreneurs and this legislation is an important steps towards providing Congress and the Small Business Administration with a better understanding of the challenges faced by disabled entrepreneurs. We encourage the Senate to act and pass the bill. Thank you to Reps. Morgan McGarvey, Marc Molinaro, and Brian Fitzpatrick for your work to support the disability community!

The U.S. is currently facing a crisis among the direct care professional workforce, one which is likely to get worse in the coming years. Studies estimate that by 2031, 9.3 million direct care professionals will be required to provide services to people with disabilities and older adults. The Alliance for Expanding America’s Workforce is proud to endorse the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act introduced by Senators Bob Casey (PA), Tim Kaine (VA), and Tammy Baldwin (WI) yesterday, which would stabilize, grow, and increase support for the direct care professional workforce. The Alliance is committed to increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and having a stable, well-paid, direct care workforce is essential to ensure people with disabilities can live and work independently within their communities. Read more about this critical piece of legislation here- https://lnkd.in/eEsqbWPk

Please welcome Ashley Harris Whaley to the Alliance for Expanding America's Workforce.

We look forward to working with Art Spring, who brings years of federal procurement experience to AEAW's executive board.

Yesterday, AEAW members met with Lesley Field, Deputy Administrator, and Mathew Blum, Associate Administrator, at the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. The meeting provided the opportunity to introduce the Alliance and discuss some of our policy priorities around the AbilityOne Program, Section 501 and 503 and SBA. A letter with specific recommendations was shared during the meeting. We look forward to working with OFPP to explore opportunities to use procurement as a catalyst to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Read the full Letter here... https://lnkd.in/eKUqVqXa

Welcome to Karen DaPonte Thornton, a valued advocate, and a new AEAW board member.

"There is still work to be done" Here's Kim Knackstedt on joining the Alliance for Expanding America's Workforce as a board member:

Check out AEAW President A. Dwight Davis on today's Federal Drive, diving into the serious consequences that a government shutdown poses for contract employees with disabilities.