Department of Labor Announces Grant to Support Education and Job Skill Development

This week, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced $20 million in funding to support the education and job skill development of youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system. Using a combination of workforce development training, education, case management, mentoring, restorative justice and community-based violence reduction strategies, DOL intends to help youth receive the services and support needed to succeed in school and gain critical job skills. As data has repeatedly suggested, youth who have involvement with the juvenile justice system are less likely to graduate from high school and more likely to face barriers to employment.  The needs of these youth vary and, in response, DOL requires these grant dollars to be used to address an array of programs.  For example, youth under age 17 will be eligible to receive educational support that helps them complete high school and grain summer employment.  In contrast, youth over age 17 will receive assistance with completing high school and/or alternative education programs while also receiving apprenticeship and job skills training that will help youth participate in the workforce. By providing a variety of supports, including case management, DOL aims to help youth successfully transition out of the juvenile justice system and into their communities.

DOL anticipates awarding four grants of $5 million to nonprofit organizations that have the capacity to implement multi-state, multi-site projects. The grant period will be 32 months long and will provide grantees with six months of planning. Applications are due May 1. For more information about this grant and the required application materials, please click here.

Department of Labor Announces Reintegration of Ex-Offenders Program Grants

The Department of Labor (DOL) has announced the availability of $20 million in grants for the Reintegration of Ex-Offenders Program.  With more than 700,000 individuals released from justice facilities each year, DOL recognizes that employment is a critical component of assisting former offenders avoid future incarceration and successfully re-enter their communities.  These grants will provide high-poverty, high-crime communities with funding for various support services, including: job training, employment preparation, mentoring and assistance that links former offenders to key services, such as substance abuse treatment.

This announcement if the fifth in a series of Reintegration of Ex-Offenders Program grants.  DOL expects to award 17 grants of approximately $1.2 million to nonprofit organizations that provide employment-focused support services for former offenders.  For more specific information about the grant, including eligibility criteria, please click here.

Grant applications are due March 13, 2012.