The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a grant of $627,124 to the Washington State Employment Security Department. This funding aims to continue disaster-relief jobs and provide employment and training services in southwest Washington communities heavily impacted by opioid use, addiction, and overdose.
Previously, in September 2023, the department awarded a National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant of up to $1.4 million, with an initial installment of $800,000. This financial support is directed towards creating disaster-relief positions within the state's southwest regional workforce area. It also facilitates employment and training services for dislocated workers in Clark and Cowlitz counties who are experiencing long-term unemployment and homelessness due to the opioid crisis. With this latest funding, the total amount awarded for this project reaches $1,427,124.
"The Employment and Training Administration is committed to ensuring Washington workers affected by the opioid crisis have access to 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 Washington by providing jobs to affected workers and training in the areas of addiction treatment, mental health and pain management."
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in October 2017. This declaration enabled Washington state to request such funding.
Dislocated Worker Grants are supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. These grants temporarily increase service capacity at state and local levels by offering financial assistance in response to significant economic events causing substantial job losses.
