Reprint from USCM Weekly Newsletter – April 16, 2019

 

DOL Announces $87.6 Million in Grants to Improve Employment Opportunities for Americans Exiting the Criminal Justice System – The U.S. Department of Labor recently made available $82.5 million in Reentry Employment Opportunity [REO] grants and $5 million in Fidelity Bonding Demonstration [FBD] grants to improve employment opportunities for young adults and adults exiting the criminal justice system. The grants are part of the effort on criminal justice reform. In December 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed the First Step Act, which endeavors to reduce recidivism and ensure successful reentry of ex-offenders back into the community. On April 1, the Department hosted an event – Strengthening America’s Workforce – to discuss paths for Americans transitioning from the justice system into the workforce. “President Trump has led a bipartisan effort in applying commonsense strategies and compassion to maximize successful transitions from the justice system to the nation’s workforce,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. “The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to helping those transitioning out of the justice system find family-sustaining careers and successfully integrate back into their communities.”  Click here to learn more about the REO grants. Click here to learn more about the FBD grants.

WIOA Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Activities Program Allotments for PY2019On Wednesday, April 10, the DOL/ETA released the Training and Employment Guidance Letter Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Activities Program Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2019 to provide information to states and outlying areas on WIOA Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Activities program allotments for PY 2019 and final PY 2019 allotments for the Wagner-Peyser Act ES Program. Click here for full TEGL.

Meet the Millions of Young Adults Who Are Out of WorkHelping young people prepare to engage in work and life as productive adults is a central challenge for any society. In theory, the path to employment providing financial security in adulthood is simple: finish high school, enroll in and complete college or training that is affordable and a good fit, gain some work experience along the way, and launch a career. But given that 17 percent of young adults ages 18 to 24 are out of work in mid to large cities in the U.S., totaling 2.3 million young people, this path does not appear to work equally well for all, particularly in light of the effects of the Great Recession and the declining rates of employment among teens and young adults since about 2000. Click here for full article.

The Cost of Not Supporting Working Women In the last 50 years, women have made great advances in the workplace. Forty percent of businesses are currently women-owned. Women have also surpassed men in educational attainment. And, a record number of women are serving in Congress. Despite this progress, women continue to face unfavorable policy and work environments. Comprehensive work and family supports are needed to generate better outcomes for women and strengthen our economy. Click here for full article.

 

 

Categories: Workforce & Government.