The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an award exceeding $6.6 million to continue supporting disaster-relief employment and workforce training for eligible Florida residents as the state recovers from Hurricane Idalia.
On September 18, 2023, the department initially announced a National Dislocated Worker Grant of up to $20 million, with an initial allocation of $6.6 million, to the Florida Department of Commerce. This grant aims to provide temporary employment for debris removal, water damage cleanup, and humanitarian assistance delivery to those affected by the storm. Additionally, it supports career and training services for impacted workers.
Hurricane Idalia struck the northeastern Gulf Coast on August 30, 2023, as a Category 3 storm, bringing strong winds, storm surges, and significant flooding to the region. The new incremental award will support disaster-relief jobs and employment and training services in 33 counties. The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued an emergency declaration on August 28, 2023, followed by a major disaster declaration on August 31, 2023. These declarations enabled the state to request federal assistance for recovery efforts.
Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration and supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide funding assistance to temporarily expand service capacity in dislocated worker programs at both state and local levels when large economic events cause substantial job losses.
