Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) grant for Program Year 2026-27
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations working to expand workplace education and outreach in California. Community-based organizations, labor groups, occupational health centers, and agricultural associations can apply. The program prioritizes outreach to workers in high-risk industries (agriculture, food processing, car wash, hospitality, warehouse, manufacturing, garment, residential care) and vulnerable populations.
Activities include worker education workshops on safety, wage theft, workers' compensation, and anti-retaliation protections. Organizations must provide multilingual outreach materials and engage workers regardless of immigration status. Special emphasis on rural areas and under-resourced communities.
Grant funding supports comprehensive workplace protection education through direct outreach, workshops, seminars, and collaboration with community partners. Cost sharing is not required.
This grant is for organizations working to expand workplace education and outreach in California. Community-based organizations, labor groups, occupational health centers, and agricultural associations can apply. The program prioritizes outreach to workers in high-risk industries (agriculture, food processing, car wash, hospitality, warehouse, manufacturing, garment, residential care) and vulnerable populations.
Activities include worker education workshops on safety, wage theft, workers' compensation, and anti-retaliation protections. Organizations must provide multilingual outreach materials and engage workers regardless of immigration status. Special emphasis on rural areas and under-resourced communities.
Grant funding supports comprehensive workplace protection education through direct outreach, workshops, seminars, and collaboration with community partners. Cost sharing is not required.
Program description
The Employment Development Department (EDD) announces the availability of up to $2.7 million in Wagner-Peyser 10 percent Governor’s Discretionary funds for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Program Year 2026-27 (PY 26-27) grant. This program provides deaf and hard of hearing individuals with enhanced employment services in select America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) locations throughout California. The program will ensure effective communication and increased service opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing individuals by providing specialized counseling, interpretation services, job placement, follow-up services, advocacy that ensures deaf and hard of hearing individuals receive equal access to public and private employment services, and specialized employment preparation services to assist them in becoming job-ready. Eligible applicants for DHH PY 26-27 SFP include public agencies or private non-profit organizations. Individuals are not eligible apply. Leveraged funds are not required for this project, but applicants are encouraged to maximize impact by leveraging other resources; These may include funds, human capital, and other resources from various sources, such as businesses, industry associations, labor organizations, and government programs. Leveraged funds and in-kind resources must be consistent with allowable project activities and may be used by the awardee. Proposals must be received by 3 p.m. PT on June 18, 2026. An informational webinar will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PT. Pre-registration is required for all attendees. Please refer to the EDD’s Workforce Development Solicitation for Proposals website link below for pre-register instructions: https://edd.ca.gov/en/jobs_and_training/WDSFP_Workforce_Development_Solicitations_for_Proposals The EDD encourages applicants to submit a Notice of Intent to apply by June 12, 2026 at noon PT to WSBSFP2@edd.ca.gov. To view this SFP, visit the EDD Workforce Development Solicitations for Proposals webpage.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for organizations working to expand workplace education and outreach in California. Community-based organizations, labor groups, occupational health centers, and agricultural associations can apply. The program prioritizes outreach to workers in high-risk industries (agriculture, food processing, car wash, hospitality, warehouse, manufacturing, garment, residential care) and vulnerable populations.
Activities include worker education workshops on safety, wage theft, workers' compensation, and anti-retaliation protections. Organizations must provide multilingual outreach materials and engage workers regardless of immigration status. Special emphasis on rural areas and under-resourced communities.
Grant funding supports comprehensive workplace protection education through direct outreach, workshops, seminars, and collaboration with community partners. Cost sharing is not required.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- RFA application form (specific format required by California DIR)
- Project narrative/workplan
- Budget and budget narrative
- Letters of commitment from partner organizations
- Organizational background and qualifications
- Proof of nonprofit status or eligible organizational structure
Program contact
- 📧 brandon.raveling@edd.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-891-9189
FAQ
Who can apply for CWOP RFA funding?
Community-based organizations, labor groups, occupational health centers, and agricultural associations can apply. Organizations must demonstrate capacity to conduct workplace outreach and education.
What topics must organizations cover?
Priority topics include workplace safety hazards, heat illness prevention, paid sick leave, wage theft, workers' compensation, anti-retaliation protections, and complaint filing procedures.
Is this California-only?
Yes, this is a California Department of Industrial Relations program. Outreach and services must be provided within California.
What makes applications competitive?
Strong applications demonstrate experience serving vulnerable workers, multilingual capacity, partnerships with CBOs and labor organizations, and targeted rural outreach plans.
What is the typical funding range?
Awards typically range from $200,000 to $500,000 per organization.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Document existing partnerships with labor groups, health centers, and community organizations. Strong collaboration evidence strengthens competitiveness.
- Provide clear data on which high-risk industries and vulnerable worker populations you will reach. Specify geographic areas, especially rural regions.
- Plan multilingual outreach materials in advance. Detail which languages you will use and why based on community needs.
- Develop concrete workshop and seminar schedules with measurable participation targets. Vague outreach plans will be less competitive.
- Show fiscal stability and prior grant management experience. Organizations with clean audits and documented success manage DIR funds more easily.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to address rural communities and under-resourced areas despite grant emphasis on strategic rural engagement. Not demonstrating multilingual capacity or concrete language accessibility plans. Underestimating the importance of documented labor and CBO partnerships in the application narrative.
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