Grant Funding LGBTQIA+ Career Navigator In Delaware County

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Delaware County will soon have a more inclusive environment in the job market.

The Delaware County Workforce Development Board in partnership with Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI) received a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Bureau of Workforce Development to create a more inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more) jobseekers in Delaware County.

The Montgomery County Workforce Development Board was also awarded grant funding.

Funding will go toward a "LGBTQIA+ Career Navigator" to help jobseekers connect to PA CareerLink Centers and additional resources, a needs assessment and asset mapping of LGBTQIA+ resources in both counties, the development of a jobseeker curriculum with input from legal experts, and employer webinars about LGBTQIA+ rights in the workplace.

"As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community myself, I am committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all facets of life," said Roe Falcone, EDSI’s Director of Strategic Partnerships. "In response to the continuing hate crimes against gay and transgender people throughout the nation, EDSI and the Delaware and Montgomery County Workforce Development Boards are striving to eliminate discrimination in the hiring, promotion, and treatment of LGBTQ people in the workplace. This grant will provide additional support and resources for those who identify as LGBTQ and promote inclusivity in the workplace."

The grant will augment the services of each county’s PA CareerLink Centers, which provide resources for individuals seeking employment, short-term training, and work experience, and for businesses looking to hire qualified candidates.

"It’s important that we work together to ensure a safe and inclusive culture for all residents that respects their gender identity and/or sexual preference," said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. "This grant will assist the County and EDSI in creating a more inclusive work environment for members of the LGBTQIA+ community."