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January 2026
Fostering a Mental Health-Friendly Workplace
It’s the new year and a good moment to check in with yourself and those around you. The post-holiday season can be difficult, particularly for those with mental health conditions whose symptoms may be triggered or worsened. For employers, now is the time to adopt or update workplace policies and practices designed to protect employees’ mental health and well-being. A mental health-friendly workplace is great for employees and great for business, and ODEP’s Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability has a resource to help. EARN’s Workplace Mental Health Toolkit lays out best practices, including the “4 As”: awareness, accommodations, assistance, and access to treatment. These strategies benefit both employees and employers, helping boost mental health and productivity.
We Want to Hear from Faith Organizations
The Department of Labor is seeking feedback from faith leaders and people active in ministries or houses of worship about their experience participating in department programs. Our Center for Faith is specifically requesting ideas on how to better integrate faith organizations into the work of Labor Department endeavors—such as job training, employment support, and community outreach—without undue restrictions on religious liberty. Questions? Contact faith@dol.gov. We welcome your comments through Feb. 9.
Apply Now to Become a NEON Core State!
ODEP’s National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (NEON) initiative supports states to improve employment outcomes for people with mental health conditions, including those with co-occurring significant disabilities. ODEP is now soliciting applications from states and state government agencies to become NEON “core states” and receive intensive policy technical assistance and ongoing mentoring to support the strategic aims of their statewide employment efforts for this population. Applications may be submitted until Jan. 30. Selections will be announced in February.
Hire Veterans with Disabilities to Strengthen Your Workforce
Businesses would do well to hire military personnel who are transitioning to civilian employment. Many veterans have desirable skills, leadership experience, and a strong work ethic. Veterans with service-connected disabilities, including nonobvious disabilities such as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and mental health conditions, have the same skill set and contribute great value to the workplace. They often need only minor workplace adjustments to thrive. Employers can visit EARN’s “Disabled Veterans” webpage to find out more about how to recruit and retain dedicated, skilled employees who have served our nation.
Webinar: Adopting AI Tools with Accessibility in Mind
In response to August 2025 guidance from the Department of Labor, workforce programs are now being encouraged to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) skill building into services for both youth and adults. This is more than a technical adjustment. It represents a shift toward preparing job seekers for a labor market where AI is deeply embedded across industries. Join ODEP on Jan. 22, at 3 p.m. ET, for a webinar exploring how the principles of universal design can help ensure the accessibility and practicality of AI literacy training across the workforce system. AI adoption should expand access to opportunity for people with disabilities, rather than limit it. The webinar will be hosted by ODEP’s National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center).
Exploring Direct Support Professional Careers: Start Here, Go Anywhere!
Are you interested in becoming a direct support professional? Or are you seeking to increase recruitment into this critical—and critically understaffed—role? Check out the LEAD Center’s excellent new infographic illustrating the potential for salaries and career development for direct support professionals. Many people don’t realize the growth potential, which may help explain the severe shortage of direct support professionals nationwide. Yet the need for direct care services is only growing, and the LEAD Center’s infographic can help inform job seekers, current workers, and workforce professionals or other entities that engage with people interested in pursuing a career in direct care. Also, be sure to watch the archive of the LEAD Center’s December webinar that addresses this topic.
How City Leaders Can Boost Employment for People with Disabilities
City leaders have the power to increase the employment of people with disabilities in their community. With the national unemployment rate of people with disabilities nearly double that of their nondisabled peers (8.1% vs. 3.9%, respectively, in 2024), municipal governments play an important role in closing the gap. ODEP’s State Exchange on Employment and Disability, or SEED, has a new framework with actionable steps for cities of all sizes. It offers four key strategies to help local leaders improve economic opportunities for disabled people in their city: use formal infrastructure or advisory councils to make policy, establish the city as a model employer with accessible hiring practices, offer technical assistance and tax breaks to incentivize the private sector, and develop community-wide programs that ensure needed support like transportation and career readiness.