The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a grant of $4.3 million to Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development. This funding aims to support individuals impacted by the opioid crisis through employment and training services.
Opioid-related deaths and emergency room visits have increased by over 18 percent from 2020 to 2022, as reported by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The state sees more fatalities from opioid overdoses annually than car accidents.
The grant, managed by the Employment and Training Administration, is part of the National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant program. It will help communities across Wisconsin by creating disaster-relief positions to tackle humanitarian needs arising from the opioid crisis.
"The Employment and Training Administration is committed to ensuring Wisconsin workers affected by the opioid crisis have access to grant funding and assistance that will help their communities address the unique impacts of this complex public health crisis," stated Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training José Javier Rodríguez. "This Dislocated Worker Grant provides critical support to Wisconsin by providing jobs to affected workers and training to assist professions in the areas of addiction treatment, mental health, and pain management."
Additionally, funds will aid eligible individuals in reentering the workforce or transitioning into fields that could influence efforts against the opioid crisis.
In October 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency, allowing Wisconsin to seek this funding.
These grants are supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. They temporarily enhance dislocated worker programs at state and local levels by offering financial assistance in response to significant economic events leading to substantial job losses.
