New York Systems Change and Inclusive Opportunities Network (NY SCION)

About This Grant

On October 21, 2021, New York State (NYS) Governor Kathy Hochul announced a commitment of $11.1 million in federal workforce development investment to expand the Disability Resource Coordinators (DRCs) network across several Local Workforce Development Areas (LWDAs). This program builds on previous programs like the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) and Disability Program Navigator, and aims to improve education, training and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities, including those receiving Social Security benefits, by scaling up services and enhancing support across nearly all LWDAs in NYS.A key partner in the NY SCION effort is the New York Employment Services System (NYESS) under the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH), which commits $1 million annually to support employment services in participating LWDAs for individuals with disabilities. Through this collaboration, DRCs connect individuals with disabilities to Career Center services, employment referrals, and benefits advisement. NY SCION is currently active in 27 LWDAs, including New York City, covering 48 counties, and has helped more than 11,000 individuals with disabilities access career services to date. The program's ambitious goal is to serve 45,000 individuals with disabilities, significantly improving access to sustainable employment and career pathways.