EARN Newsletter: June 2026

Plus: NDEAM 2026, veteran employment, JAN's new Mental Health Hub, and more.

EARN in Action

Industry Spotlight Webinar Series

This July, EARN will launch a series of webinars focused on talent recruitment and retention in high-growth, in-demand industries. The first, “Building a Stronger Construction Industry: Recruitment, Retention, and Workforce Stability,” will take place on July 1 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET, featuring a guest from the Associated General Contractors of America. The second, “Strengthening the Manufacturing Industry: Recruit, Re-Train, and Retain Valuable Workforce Talent,” will take place on July 22, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET, and will feature a guest from the Manufacturing Institute. (See “Spotlight Q&A,” below!)

Veterans in the Workforce: Tools and Resources for Employers

America’s veterans bring valuable skills and experience to the workplace, and understanding how to welcome and support them can help employers strengthen their talent pool. This includes veterans with both apparent and nonapparent disabilities. Employers can recognize veterans and National PTSD Awareness Month by exploring practical strategies to recruit and retain veterans through workplace policies and practices that support workforce success. EARN and the U.S. Department of Labor offer many resources to help.

EARN Connects with NAMI on Workplace Mental Health

EARN has partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to explore the role employers play in fostering mentally healthy workplaces and connecting workers with available resources. Last month, EARN participated in NAMICon 2026 as an exhibitor, connecting with more than 120 attendees from across the country to share practical strategies for supporting worker mental health and to learn how NAMI members are using EARN tools and resources to support their employees’ well-being.

In Case You Missed It

NDEAM 2026: Celebrating Value and Talent

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) takes place annually in October, but planning begins well before. To help, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy announced that the 2026 theme will be “Celebrating Value and Talent,” carrying the spirit of last year’s celebration forward through 2026 in honor of America’s 250^th birthday. The official 2026 poster will be available soon!

In the News

Helping Americans with Disabilities Earn and Save

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is taking action to educate Americans with disabilities about tools that can help them earn and save, including tax-advantaged ABLE accounts. DOL Acting Secretary Keith Sonderling recently penned an op-ed highlighting how ABLE accounts can help Americans with disabilities achieve financial self-sufficiency. The article emphasizes recent changes to age and contribution limits that make millions more people eligible, including disabled veterans and others who acquire disabilities later in life. You can also find out more about ABLE and other strategies for financial wellness in DOL’s updated “Secure Your Financial Future” toolkit.

New from JAN: Mental Health Hub

Employers interested in fostering a mental health-friendly workplace and supporting workers with mental health conditions have a new resource with practical strategies. The Mental Health Hub, developed by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), provides guidance on mental health-related accommodations, common situations and solutions that employers may encounter, and practical information on the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It also centralizes access to mental health-related tools for both workers and employers.

Spotlight Q&A

EARN sat down with Jordan Morang, director of workforce innovation and policy at the Manufacturing Institute, to explore workforce trends, talent development, and practical strategies manufacturers can use to strengthen retention, expand recruitment pipelines, and support long-term workforce success. You can hear more from Jordan by registering for EARN's upcoming July 22 webinar, "Strengthening the Manufacturing Industry: Recruit, Re-Train, and Retain Valuable Workforce Talent," where he will be the featured speaker.

Q: What is one workforce trend every manufacturing employer should be paying attention to right now?

A: A few years ago, manufacturers were primarily focused on hiring. Today, the focus has shifted toward developing and retaining the workforce they already have...

Continue to the Full Q&A

EARN is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy under Cooperative Agreement No. 23475OD000002-01-00 with Cornell University's Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability, in the amount of $11,000,000.

The content in this newsletter does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.