EARN Newsletter: May 2026

Plus: National Apprenticeship Week recap and new webinar recordings.

EARN in Action

Leading Veterans: Practical Strategies for Supporting Mental Health at Work

EARN recently hosted experts in mental health and veteran transition for a webinar highlighting proactive steps employers can take to attract skilled veterans, as well as best practices that support mental health and well-being on the job. During “Leading Veterans: Practical Strategies for Supporting Mental Health at Work,” attendees learned about characteristics of veteran-friendly workplaces and strategies for navigating common challenges veterans face when transitioning from the military to civilian employment.

Best Practices for Fostering Mentally Healthy Workplaces

Employers play a powerful role in supporting workers with mental health conditions, including substance use disorder, to seek help when needed. To help employers take action, EARN offers a range of practical resources, all framed around the “4 As” of a Mental Health-Friendly Workplace: raising awareness, providing accommodations, offering employee assistance, and ensuring access to treatment. Learn more about these best practices in our Workplace Mental Health Toolkit.

Building a Mentally Healthy Workplace: Guidance and Practical Tools for Safety Professionals

Earlier this month, EARN collaborated with the National Safety Council (NSC) to present “Building a Mentally Healthy Workplace: Guidance and Practical Tools for Safety Professionals,” a webinar focused on best practices for fostering workplace mental health. Topics addressed included EARN’s “4 As” framework and how each of its components intersects with day-to-day safety practices. The session also highlighted actionable tools safety professionals can use to support worker mental health within their organizations.

In Case You Missed It

National Apprenticeship Week Recap

During National Apprenticeship Week, April 26–May 2, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) focused on educating youth with disabilities about apprenticeship as a pathway to well-paid careers in high-demand industries and shared resources to help identify accommodations apprentices may need to succeed. Messaging included a blog post by ODEP Assistant Secretary Julie Hocker as well as a video featuring both Assistant Secretary Hocker and DOL’s Employment and Training Administration Assistant Secretary Henry Mack. These resources helped raise awareness of how apprenticeship can open doors to economic opportunity for people with disabilities.

In the News

Apprenticeship Accommodations Toolkit

The U.S. Department of Labor’s ODEP published a new resource to help ensure that job seekers and students with disabilities have access to apprenticeships as strong entry ramps into the world of work. The Apprenticeship Accommodations Toolkit helps current and potential apprentices, as well as apprenticeship sponsors, understand accommodations in every stage of apprenticeship, including technical instruction and on-the-job training.

How AI Impacts Workplace Accommodation

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the power to reshape the nature of work, not only by enhancing productivity broadly, but also by removing obstacles for American workers with disabilities. Key to achieving this is understanding the impact of AI on reasonable accommodations. When implemented thoughtfully, AI can provide support in ways previously considered impossible. A new resource from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a service of the U.S. Department of Labor’s ODEP, explains more.

Expanding AI-Focused Registered Apprenticeship Programs

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced the launch of the AI in Registered Apprenticeship Innovation Portal, a one-stop resource for organizations seeking to integrate AI skills into Registered Apprenticeship programs through skill-building resources, industry-specific training, and flexible program pathways. The new resource was launched during a National Apprenticeship Week event focused on AI in Registered Apprenticeship. The portal connects employers to training and helps them prepare workers for emerging, high-growth roles in AI-driven industries.

Spotlight Q&A

In this month’s Spotlight Q&A, EARN chats with Megan Delp, Director of Workplace Mental Health at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), for insights on how employers can better support mental health in the workplace.

Q: From your perspective at NAMI, what is the most pressing workforce challenge employers currently face regarding employee mental health and well-being?

A: Through our work with NAMI StigmaFree Workplace and insights from our 2026 NAMI Workplace Mental Health Poll...

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.