| August 20, 2021 Taryn Williams Confirmed as ODEP Assistant Secretary Taryn Mackenzie Williams has been appointed Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy. Nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Williams assumed leadership of the Office of Disability Employment Policy on August 18. Williams most recently served as the managing director for the Center for American Progress' Poverty to Prosperity Program, which promotes public policies reflecting a broad range of anti-poverty strategies. Before joining the Center for American Progress, Williams worked in ODEP during the Obama Administration. Her numerous roles at ODEP included chief of staff and director of youth policy, which entailed leading ODEP's efforts to coordinate education and employment policy to support improved labor force outcomes for youth with disabilities. Williams also served as associate director for public engagement and liaison to the disability community at the White House from 2014 to 2015 and policy adviser on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions from 2012 to 2013. "It's an honor to be returning to ODEP at such a unique crossroads in our nation's history," said Williams. "As America rebuilds and rebounds in the wake of the pandemic, our agency will be working tirelessly to ensure an equitable recovery for everyone, including people with all types of disabilities from all communities, including historically marginalized communities. I'm eager to resume working with the talented and committed ODEP team on the vital inclusion issues of today, so that we can have a more equitable tomorrow." Customized Employment Works for Veterans: Q & A The Employment First Community of Practice webinar on "Customized Employment Works for Veterans: Q & A" will be held on August 25 from 3-4 p.m. ET. The webinar will share mini videos created from the speeches at the "Customized Employment Works for Veterans" webinar event in February 2021. It will allow attendees to ask questions to the filmmaker and the people featured in the videos. The videos include "Customized Employment Works for Veterans: A Job That I Love" and "Customized Employment Works for Veterans: A Win-Win Strategy." Community Reinvestment Act Webinar The LEAD Center will present a webinar on "How Workforce Systems Can Leverage Bank Resources to Enhance the Lives of Low- and Moderate-Income Individuals" on September 14 at 3 p.m. ET. This webinar will discuss a 1977 federal law called the Community Reinvestment Act that encourages banks to work with and invest in low- and moderate-income individuals and neighborhoods. This includes workforce development-related activities for people with disabilities. The webinar will use the CRA to provide financial coaching, financial assistance for entrepreneurs, workforce training, credit assistance, career preparation and other activities. People with Disabilities and Re-entry after Incarceration The LEAD Center webinar on "A Second Chance at Inclusion: People with Disabilities, Work and Re-entry after Incarceration" is available in archive. According to the Bureau of Justice, almost 40% of people in the nation's prisons and jails reported having at least one disability. Millions of people with disabilities are released from incarceration each year, and re-enter communities seeking employment, housing and a second chance. This webinar discussed effective practices, partnerships and policies that support the transition to employment for individuals with disabilities formerly involved in the justice system. Apprenticeship for All Podcast The Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship posted a podcast on "The Future of Work: How the Tech Industry is Addressing the Skills Gap and Building a Diverse 21st Century Workforce." In this episode, Jackie Black, director of membership for the Consumer Technology Association, discusses the technology industry's commitment to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible workforce. She also shares information about how CTA's Future of Work initiatives, including the Apprenticeship Coalition and 21st Century Workforce Council, are preparing people for the jobs of the future. ePolicyWorks Shortlisted for 2022 Zero Project Awards The Zero Project announced that ePolicyWorks has been shortlisted for the organization's 2022 awards series for Innovative Practices and Policies in the accessibility field. Having demonstrated innovation, impact and scalability for its online crowdsourcing and citizen engagement initiative, ePolicyWorks is among 160 projects from 54 countries to be chosen for the next phase of the award selection process. Founded in 2008, the Zero Project researches and shares innovative practices and policies worldwide that support the rights and lives of people with disabilities by engaging with a global network of innovators, decision-makers and opinion leaders. The final winners will be announced in September 2021. Promoting Employment for People with Disabilities Through Statewide Coordination In collaboration with the State Exchange on Employment & Disability, the National Governors Association published a policy guide on "Promoting Employment for People with Disabilities Through Statewide Coordination." The guide helps governors ensure that their states' COVID-19 workforce recovery efforts include people with disabilities. It describes how governors can convene state stakeholders to improve support for workers with disabilities and offers a planning template for a sustainable statewide coordination plan. | 
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