Melwood Fosters Inclusion Through New Partnership With National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

UPPER MARLBORO, MD, October 31, 2019 – Today, Melwood CEO Cari DeSantis and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Chairman John Ring attended a signing ceremony at NLRB Headquarters formalizing a new partnership aimed at creating a more inclusive workforce by expanding opportunities for people of differing abilities in the federal government.

Melwood, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit employers of people of differing abilities, has been working with NLRB for over a year to develop a sustainable, scalable, and replicable federal employment model that will allow people of differing abilities a chance to prove themselves while earning vital first-hand work experience in the federal environment.

“NLRB’s investment in a more inclusive workforce is a model for all state and federal agencies,” said Melwood President and CEO Cari DeSantis. “Today we are starting with a handful of internship positions but we are eager to see this program grow and spread across local, state, and federal government organizations.”

Earlier this month, Melwood hosted the “Right Talent, Right Now: Breaking Workforce Barriers Summit” at George Washington University, which brought together experts from around the nation to highlight the benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace.

“We look forward to welcoming the participants from Melwood and know that this will be a mutually beneficial partnership,” said NLRB Chairman John Ring.

“The agency looks forward to welcoming these individuals and I know they will gain valuable experience working alongside the staff here at the NLRB,” said NLRB General Counsel Peter Robb.