Lamont: $2.5M state grant to go towards building workforce training center for people with disabilities

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — State leaders are looking to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities break into the workforce.

On Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont announced a $2.5 million state grant to build a training center focusing on people with IDD in Canton to be used by the nonprofit social services organization "Favarh — The Arc of Farmington Valley."

"Less than 1 in 5 adults with IDD hold a paid integrated job, and almost half of those without jobs say they want to work," Augusto Russell, president of the Favarh Board of Directors, said. "Those who do find work earn far less than their peers.. And the unemployment rate is nearly four times that of the general population. This center will change that story."

Favarh says that steady employment is a big factor in a person wi