Millions in federal funds are headed to six states in an effort to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Labor said this week that Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, New York and Washington will share in the grants totaling nearly $15 million.

Each state’s labor department or workforce development agency will use the money to address various needs of jobseekers with disabilities including improving job training, facilitating the transition from school to work or offering customized approaches for those with significant needs.

The grants come with a mandate that states collaborate with disability service providers, educational institutions and businesses.

“Our country succeeds when everyone is given the opportunity to succeed,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez. “The grants we are awarding today will increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities by connecting them to job-driven training programs that provide them with the skills to compete for high-demand industry jobs.”

The funding is part of the Labor Department’s Disability Employment Initiative. Since 2010, the agency said it has allocated over $95 million through the initiative to fund 43 projects in 27 states.

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