Topeka ? Kansas plans to tap unused federal funds to help launch a five-year, $25 million initiative to help disabled residents find good jobs.

State officials unveiled what they’re calling the “End-Dependence Kansas” initiative during a news conference Monday at a Topeka restaurant. The initiative involves five state agencies.

Mike Donnelly, director for the Department for Children and Families Rehabilitation Services, said the new initiative is designed to help 2,000 disabled Kansans find jobs.

The program not only will help potential workers with job coaches and workplace technology, it can subsidize their wages as they try out for jobs or after they are hired.

Donnelly said the initiative is being launched with $5 million to $6 million in unused federal funds that the state would be forced otherwise to return next year.