Three Baltimore-area nonprofits have received a three-year, $692,000 federal grant to provide computer training and jobs to persons with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities.

The new program, called the Techworks Partnership, will provide training to 55 to 75 people who have a mental or related disability and who live in Baltimore's empowerment zone, said Stephen H. Morgan, executive director of the Baltimore Association for Retarded Citizens (BARC).

The other two nonprofits are Learning Independence Through Computers (LINC) and East Baltimore Resources Inc. (EBRI).

BARC and EBRI will provide client recruitment and job development to the partnership, and LINC will provide computer skills training and technical support, Morgan said.

"Together, we can effectuate success in getting the people in job settings where computer skills are used," he said.

The program's intent is to provide school-to-work transition for mentally disabled young adults and promote awareness among employers.

Pub Date: 10/21/98